From Paris, where he is shooting a film with Luc Besson, it took Al Pacino a few days to find the right words. On October 16, the actor shared his feelings with Deadline, confiding that he was “upset” upon hearing the news of Diane Keaton’s death, which occurred on October 11. The actress died of bacterial pneumonia at the age of 79.
“Diane was my partner, my friend, a person who brought me happiness and who, on several occasions, influenced the direction of my life,” he declares.
Thirty years after their separation, the 85-year-old actor confesses that “the memories are still alive and, after his disappearance, they returned with a painful and moving force at the same time.”
An intermittent love story
Al Pacino and Diane Keaton met on the set of the saga the godfather by Francis Ford Coppola, where they played Michael and Kay Corleone. Their romantic relationship, which began in 1974, continued on and off until 1990.
In 2017, the actress won an Oscar for her role in Annie Hall by Woody Allen, told the magazine People that she was “crazy about him.” “Charming, hilarious, an inveterate charlatan. He had an orphan side, a kind of idiot mad scientist. And magnificent!” he remembered fondly.
Their relationship, however, ended when the actress raised the idea of getting more serious and getting married. “I worked hard on this relationship. I didn’t do it perfectly,” she admitted.
“She lived without limits”
In his tribute, Al Pacino praised the passion of the woman who will continue to be an icon of American cinema. “She lived without limits and everything she touched was imbued with her undeniable energy,” the actor wrote.
“On screen, she was magnetic: lightning and charm, hurricanes and tenderness. She was a marvel. Acting was her art, but it was just one of the many ways she expressed her imagination and creativity,” he continues.
“He opened doors for others, inspired generations, and embodied a unique gift that shined through in his work and life.”
Al Pacino concludes his tribute with words full of emotion: “People will miss her absence, but above all they will remember her. She left an indelible mark. She was invincible, resilient and, above all, deeply human. I will always remember her. She could fly, and in my heart, she will always fly.”
Diane Keaton passed away on October 11. He leaves behind an adopted son and daughter, as well as a legendary filmography that has left its mark on several generations of film buffs.
Source: BFM TV
