Diane Keaton's family has released a statement about the cause of her death. (File photo) Photo: DIMITRIOS KAMBOURIS / AFP
The family of Diane Keaton has expressed gratitude for the messages of love and support received after the 79-year-old actor died of pneumonia last week.
The Academy Award-winning US actress had battled ill-health privately for months, with only her close family around her.
Thousands of fans posted messages to social media, praising Keaton's commitment to causes and her humanity, for which Keaton's family were grateful, they said in a statement to People magazine.
"The Keaton family are very grateful for the extraordinary messages of love and support they have received these past few days on behalf of their beloved Diane, who passed away from pneumonia on October 11," the statement read.
Keaton, who appeared in more than 60 films, including The Godfather trilogy, The First Wives Club and eight films with Woody Allen, stood out in Hollywood with a personal style that favoured androgynous looks, turtleneck sweaters and her trademark hats.
Last year, she released a holiday song, First Christmas, and a Christmas tree decoration in her image, showcasing her signature style.
Keaton was feted as a style icon, collaborating with homewares companies, on an eyewear collection, and inspiring designers, including Ralph Lauren and Thom Brown, and frequently being pictured in the front row at New York Fashion Week.
News of Keaton's death last week shocked many of her fans and, reportedly, even many of her friends were unaware of her illness.
Bette Midler, who starred with Keaton and Goldie Hawn in The First Wives Club, posted on Instagram that Keaton's death made her unbearably sad.
"She was hilarious, a complete original, and completely without guile, or any of the competitiveness one would have expected from such a star," she wrote.
"What you saw was who she was … oh, la, lala!"
Francis Ford Coppola, who directed The Godfather, also paid tribute to the star on social media, saying she was "endlessly intelligent, so beautiful".
"From her earliest performances … and throughout her amazing career, she was an extraordinary actor," he wrote.
"I saw her in the film Lovers and Other Strangers and knew I had to have her play Kay in The Godfather, (which she told me she based on my wife, Ellie) and her wonderful work in Annie Hall, while simultaneously setting a new fashion trend.
"Everything about Diane was creativity personified."
Keaton had romantic relationships with Woody Allen, Warren Beatty and Al Pacino and adopted two children while in her 50s.
Keaton's family suggested that fans support causes Keaton was passionate about.
"She loved her animals and she was steadfast in her support of the unhoused community, so any donations in her memory to a local food bank or an animal shelter would be a wonderful and much-appreciated tribute to her."
- ABC
