Following the passing of Diane Keaton, her Father of the Bride co-star has expressed heartfelt condolences.
Kimberly Williams-Paisley shared her grief in the comments of People’s Instagram announcement, stating, “This truly breaks my heart. Working alongside Diane Keaton will always hold a special place in my life,” along with a red heart emoji.
Tragic news emerged on Sunday, October 11, that Keaton had passed away at 79 years old. A representative for her family informed People that she had been in California, but additional details regarding her passing were not disclosed. The family has requested “privacy” during this challenging time. Us Weekly has sought further comments.
Throughout her illustrious 50-plus year career in Hollywood, Keaton captivated audiences with various unforgettable roles, including her portrayal of Nina Banks in the Father of the Bride series, where she played the mother of bride-to-be Annie Banks (Williams-Paisley).
Released in 1991, the film revolved around the challenges faced by George Banks (Steve Martin) as he grappled with marrying off his daughter. The film also featured a comedic ensemble including wedding planner Frank Eggelhoffer (Martin Short), his assistant Howard Weinstein (BD Wong), groom Bryan MacKenzie (George Newbern), and Annie’s younger brother Matty Banks (Kieran Culkin).
Following the success of the original, Father of the Bride Part II was released in 1995. In 2020, the cast reunited over Zoom to support World Central Kitchen, an organization delivering meals to children and families affected by natural disasters, wars, and other crises amid the pandemic. During the reunion, fans learned that the Banks family had not moved from their home and received updates on their lives—Matty is now a comedy writer and George is enjoying retirement.
In an interview two years later, Keaton shared with Us that she wouldn’t dismiss the possibility of returning to her role as Nina. She declared, “No one has pitched it, but I’d definitely be interested if it were to occur.”
“Steve and Marty, they have a successful television series [Only Murders in the Building] now. They are remarkable talents, incredibly funny and clever,” Keaton remarked to Us about her former on-screen partners, adding, “What they’re achieving on TV is truly impressive.”
Although a reboot featuring Andy Garcia and Gloria Estefan was released on HBO Max in 2022, Keaton stated that she hadn’t seen it. “I still haven’t watched the remake of Father of the Bride,” Keaton remarked.
Reflecting on her extraordinary career, Keaton expressed openness to new projects in the future. “I just hope to embrace whatever opportunities come my way. I’ve been incredibly fortunate, and I don’t want to disregard anything without considering if it’s a fit for me,” she explained. “I wouldn’t turn down opportunities unless I truly felt they weren’t right for me.”
