Al Pacino is paying an emotional tribute to his late friend and former partner, Diane Keaton, days after her passing.
The Oscar-winning actress died at 79 following a battle with pneumonia, leaving behind a legacy that touched generations.
Her Godfather co-star, and former longtime partner, Al Pacino, shared a moving message reflecting on their bond and her impact on his life.
“When I first heard the news, I was shaken,” Pacino wrote in a heartfelt statement shared by Deadline on Oct. 16.
“Diane was my partner, my friend, someone who brought me happiness and on more than one occasion influenced the direction of my life.”
The 85-year-old actor went on to recall how, even though it had been more than three decades since they were together, “the memories remain vivid, and with her passing, they have returned with a force that is both painful and moving.”
Pacino described Keaton as someone who “lived without limits, and everything she touched carried her unmistakable energy.” Reflecting on her craft, he said she was “magnetic—lightning and charm, hurricanes and tenderness. She was a wonder.”
He continued, “Acting was her art, but it was only one of the many ways she expressed her imagination and creativity.”
In closing his tribute, Pacino wrote words that deeply resonated with fans of both stars.
“People will miss her, but more importantly, they will remember her. She left a mark that cannot fade. She was unstoppable, resilient and above all, deeply human. I will always remember her. She could fly—and in my heart, she always will.”
Following Keaton’s death, sources close to Pacino revealed he has been reflecting on their past relationship, which spanned nearly two decades.
The pair’s romance began after meeting on the set of The Godfather in the 1970s and ended in 1990 after Keaton reportedly gave him an ultimatum about marriage, one he declined.
A source told Page Six that Pacino “will forever regret he didn’t make his move when he had the chance,” adding that he often referred to Keaton as “an amazing woman” and “the love of his life.”
Though both lived in Beverly Hills for years, they never reconnected.
As one insider shared, when asked why, Pacino replied, “There’s no need to talk with each other. We said everything that needed to be said at the time.”
Their love story, both on and off screen, remains one of Hollywood’s most memorable, and Pacino’s words make it clear that Diane Keaton’s spirit continues to live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
