Bette Midler’s Heartfelt Tribute to Diane Keaton: Hollywood Mourns the Loss of a Brilliant Original

Hollywood is in mourning following the passing of Academy Award–winning actress Diane Keaton, who died in California on Saturday, October 11, at the age of 79. Known for her timeless charm, unmistakable style, and powerful performances in Annie Hall, The Godfather, and The First Wives Club, Keaton’s influence stretched across decades of film, inspiring generations of actors and audiences alike.

Among those paying tribute to the beloved actress was Bette Midler, Keaton’s close friend and co-star in the 1996 hit comedy The First Wives Club. Midler’s moving message captured the heartbreak and admiration felt by millions around the world as she said goodbye to one of Hollywood’s most enduring icons.

“The Brilliant, Beautiful, Extraordinary Diane Keaton Has Died”

In a heartfelt Instagram post shared on Saturday, Bette Midler called Keaton “brilliant, beautiful [and] extraordinary,” posting a striking black-and-white portrait of her longtime friend dressed in her signature suit and hat — a look that became synonymous with Keaton’s effortless, quirky sophistication.

“The brilliant, beautiful, extraordinary Diane Keaton has died,” Midler wrote. “I cannot tell you how unbearably sad this makes me. She was hilarious, a complete original, and completely without guile, or any of the competitiveness one would have expected from such a star. What you saw was who she was… oh, la, lala!”

Midler’s words echoed the sentiments of millions of fans who grew up watching Keaton light up the screen. From her quick wit to her unapologetic individuality, Keaton was a rare figure in an industry that often rewards conformity.

Her authenticity — whether in her comedic timing, her bold fashion sense, or her honest reflections on aging and life — made her one of the most beloved performers of her generation.

A Friendship Forged in Laughter and Loyalty

Bette Midler and Diane Keaton shared more than just screen time — they shared a deep personal bond that began during the making of The First Wives Club, a film that celebrated friendship, resilience, and womanhood. Alongside Goldie Hawn, the trio became one of Hollywood’s most iconic ensembles, capturing the spirit of female camaraderie long before it became a mainstream theme in film.

In The First Wives Club, based on the 1992 novel by Olivia Goldsmith, Keaton played Annie MacDuggan Paradis, a mild-mannered woman rediscovering her strength after being left by her husband. Midler portrayed the fiery Brenda, while Hawn played glamorous actress Elise. Together, they formed an unforgettable trio of wronged wives who turn their pain into empowerment — and revenge.

The chemistry among the three women was electric, both on and off the screen. The film became an instant box-office success, grossing over $180 million worldwide and earning cult status as a feminist comedy classic.

Goldie Hawn and the Dream of a Sequel

For years, fans hoped to see Midler, Keaton, and Hawn reunite for The First Wives Club 2. The actresses themselves had expressed interest in revisiting their beloved characters. However, despite years of discussions, the sequel never materialized.

In a 2009 interview with AARP The Magazine, Goldie Hawn revealed that studio negotiations fell through due to what she described as “unequal offers.”

“Diane called me and said, ‘We’ve got to do this,’” Hawn recalled. “But when the studio reached out, they said, ‘Let’s try to make it work. But I think we should all do it for the same amount of money.’ Now, if there were three men returning for a sequel, they would have paid them at least three times their salary.”

The comment sparked a wider conversation about gender equity in Hollywood — one that Diane Keaton herself had often spoken about with characteristic wit and candor.

In a 2022 interview with PEOPLE, Bette Midler echoed those frustrations.

“There were political reasons they didn’t want to do that again. And it always broke my heart,” Midler said. “I really felt that it was a pretty serious diss, because when women have hits, it’s considered a fluke. But when men have hits, it’s great news.”

“Family Jewels” — The Reunion That Almost Happened

While The First Wives Club 2 never came to fruition, the three stars remained eager to work together again. In 2020, they signed on to star in a new comedy titled Family Jewels, centered on three women — all previously married to the same man — who are forced to spend the holidays together with their children and grandchildren after their ex-husband dies.

Speaking to PEOPLE shortly after the project was announced, Midler shared her excitement about reuniting with Keaton and Hawn, though she acknowledged that the film faced creative challenges during production.

“I think it’s funny. When women get together, they laugh harder with each other than they do with men,” she said. “I don’t know what it is — maybe they feel freer or more themselves. Family Jewels is something people have been working on for years. Sometimes you get stuck in the scriptwriting process, and things just don’t work out.”

Sadly, Family Jewels never reached completion — but the spirit of that project, much like the friendship it represented, endures as a testament to their shared legacy of laughter, resilience, and sisterhood.

A Trailblazer from the Start

Diane Keaton’s career began on the stage, but it was her work with director Woody Allen in the 1970s that catapulted her to stardom. Her role as Annie Hall in the 1977 romantic comedy of the same name earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress and cemented her as a defining voice of her generation.

She went on to star in a diverse range of films, from the intense drama of The Godfather trilogy to the warm humor of Father of the Bride and Something’s Gotta Give. Her collaborations with filmmaker Nancy Meyers showcased her ability to balance vulnerability and strength — qualities that made her instantly relatable to audiences of all ages.

In her later years, Keaton found new success with the Book Club franchise, proving that her appeal only grew with time. Off-screen, she was known for her deep love of architecture, photography, and motherhood.

Born Diane Hall in Los Angeles in 1946, she adopted her mother’s maiden name as her stage name and carried it with pride. She later adopted two children, Dexter in 1996 and Duke in 2001, whom she often spoke about as her greatest achievements.

“What You Saw Was Who She Was”

Those who knew Diane Keaton best describe her as fiercely independent, endlessly curious, and refreshingly real. She was, as Bette Midler wrote, “without guile” — a woman who embraced her eccentricities and made them her superpower.

Her trademark style — the wide-brimmed hats, the oversized suits, the crisp shirts and playful scarves — became part of her identity. Keaton once joked that she wore what made her feel safe and happy, not what others expected.

But perhaps her greatest legacy lies not in her wardrobe or awards, but in her unwavering authenticity. She never tried to be someone she wasn’t. In a world obsessed with reinvention, Diane Keaton remained defiantly, delightfully herself.

A Final Curtain, but Not a Farewell

As tributes continue to pour in from across Hollywood and beyond, Bette Midler’s words seem to capture the collective emotion of the moment: grief, admiration, and gratitude.

“She was a complete original,” Midler wrote. “What you saw was who she was.”

For those who loved her — on screen and off — Diane Keaton’s laughter, her wisdom, and her radiant presence will live on through the films, the friendships, and the fearless spirit she left behind.

Though her passing leaves an undeniable void, her influence remains woven into the fabric of Hollywood itself — a reminder that true originality never dies.

As one of her most famous lines from The First Wives Club goes:

“Don’t get mad. Get everything.”

And Diane Keaton, in her own way, did exactly that — everything that mattered.