Iconic actor Diane Keaton died at the age of 79 after an impressive acting career, which included an Oscar win and Reese Witherspoon became emotional as she discussed the star
Reese Witherspoon has paid an emotional tribute to her “mentor” Diane Keaton after her death at the age of 79. The Legally Blonde actress got emotional on stage as she spoke about Diane.
It was announced on Saturday that Diane had died after he health reportedly went downhill in recent months. Reese was just 15 when she first crossed paths with Diane, who directed Wildflower in 1991.
Reese was at the Hello Sunshine expo when she reminisced about her and the legend’s friendship. She said that Diane “changed the way we all saw women on screen – smart, funny, stylish, and completely original”.
READ MORE: Diane Keaton’s eyewatering $100million fortune as Hollywood icon diesREAD MORE: Diane Keaton’s health ‘declined very suddenly’ before Oscar-winning star’s death
Speaking on stage, Reese said: “I’m going to try and get through this without tearing up, but I don’t know if you guys heard that Diane Keaton passed today. Diane was really important. She was one of my first mentors in this business. I was 15 years old and I was from Nashville, Tennessee, and I didn’t know anybody.
“And I came in, it was my second, maybe third movie audition ever, and I came in with this big country accent, and I was playing this little southern girl, and she goes ‘Who are you?’ And I said ‘I’m Reese Witherspoon and I’m from Nashville, Tennessee’.
‘”And she said ‘Are you making that up? That accent that you’re doing’. And I said ‘No ma’am I’m from Nashville, Tennessee, and I’m here. And I’d love to be in your movie’. And she was like ‘Well, you’re hired. You’re hired today, tomorrow and the next day. I don’t know who you are but I am so excited to have you’.”
Reese added: “She is just incredible and indelible and just a truly original person. So for Diane, watch one of her movies. And wear like a really cool, interesting outfit. Black and white. Take a picture and just live your dream. Just be your unique, interesting self. I think Diane would be really happy.”
It has been reported that Diane’s health had declined rapidly in recent months. More details have since emerged, with friends saying that it was “heartbreaking” to see that Diane wasn’t well.
A friend of Diane’s told PEOPLE Magazine: “She declined very suddenly, which was heartbreaking for everyone who loved her. It was so unexpected, especially for someone with such strength and spirit.”
The source added: “In her final months, she was surrounded only by her closest family, who chose to keep things very private. Even longtime friends weren’t fully aware of what was happening.”
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.
READ MORE: TV doctor Hilary Jones recommends unusual remedy for Covid ‘razor blade’ sore throatsREAD MORE: Save 20% on ‘paradise’ winter sun holidays in South Africa and the Dominican Republic
Source: Mirror
Leave a Reply