Steve Martin Reacts to ‘Father of the Bride’ Costar Diane Keaton’s Death: “Loved”

Steve Martin has paid a simple yet deeply heartfelt tribute to his longtime friend and Father of the Bride costar Diane Keaton, following the news of her death at the age of 79.

“Loved!” the 80-year-old comedian and actor wrote via X (formerly Twitter) on October 11, alongside a black-and-white throwback photo of a young Keaton. He also shared one of her most memorable quotes from the 1977 classic Annie Hall:

“La dee da, la dee da.”

Remembering an Iconic On-Screen Partnership

Martin and Keaton are best remembered as George and Nina Banks, the beloved parents of Annie Banks (played by Kimberly Williams-Paisley) in the 1991 romantic comedy Father of the Bride and its 1995 sequel Father of the Bride Part II. Their on-screen chemistry helped turn the films into instant classics, adored by audiences across generations.

In 2020, the original cast reunited for Father of the Bride Part 3 (ish), a special benefit event for World Central Kitchen, which aired on Netflix’s YouTube and Facebook channels. The virtual reunion gave fans an update on the Banks family, with Matty (Kieran Culkin) marrying his fiancée via Zoom and George enjoying retirement.

Costars Share Their Heartbreak

Kimberly Williams-Paisley, who played Annie Banks, also paid tribute to Keaton in the comments of People’s Instagram post announcing the actress’s passing.

“This breaks my heart. Getting to work with Diane Keaton will always be one of the highlights of my life,” she wrote, adding a red heart emoji.

Their collective tributes reflect the deep respect and love Keaton inspired among her colleagues throughout her legendary career.

Diane Keaton’s Death Confirmed

Keaton died in California, her family spokesperson told People. No additional details have been released, and her loved ones have requested privacy during this difficult time.

Her passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fellow stars, filmmakers, and fans around the world who admired her brilliance, humor, and authenticity.

A Lasting Legacy

Keaton’s career spanned over five decades, with iconic roles in The Godfather trilogy, Annie Hall (for which she won an Oscar), Something’s Gotta Give, The First Wives Club, and many more. Her influence extended beyond acting — she was a fashion icon, a creative spirit, and a trailblazer for independent women in Hollywood.

In a 2022 interview with Us Weekly, Keaton reflected on her Father of the Bride experience and praised her costars Steve Martin and Martin Short:

“Steven, Marty… they’re giants and they’re just incredibly great actors and funny and smart and all that. We all know that, and it works. How they’re doing it on TV is pretty remarkable.”

Diane Keaton’s death marks the end of an era, but her impact on Hollywood — and the hearts of her friends and fans — will live on forever. 🕊️