Diane Keaton's Famous Ex, a Director, Is 'Distraught' over Her Death at 79 — Inside Their Relationship

The world is mourning the loss of the phenomenal actress, but for one man, her death has pierced far deeper than the headlines reveal.

In the wake of Diane Keaton's passing, those who knew her best are grappling with the loss. This includes a man from her past whose connection to her changed the course of both their lives. His reaction to the news has revealed just how deeply her death has affected him.

A Heartbroken Director Faces Life Without His Muse

The world lost a Hollywood legend when Keaton died at 79 on October 11. Over her decades-long career, she captivated audiences in countless memorable roles.

However, it was her performance in the 1977 romantic comedy "Annie Hall" that defined her legacy and earned her an Academy Award. The film was directed by her well-known former partner, Woody Allen, with whom she shared a creative and personal bond that left an indelible mark on film history.

Allen is reportedly devastated by Keaton's passing. A source said the director is "extremely distraught and surprised and upset" by the news of her demise. The insider added that "it makes him think of his own mortality."

Allen, 89, and Keaton maintained a close friendship for nearly six decades after their brief romantic relationship early in their careers. According to the source, he held deep admiration and respect for her throughout the years.

He was reportedly unaware of her recent health struggles, as very few people seemed to know about her condition, leaving him stunned by the news of her passing.

The Real-Life 'Annie Hall'? Keaton Set the Record Straight

After "Annie Hall" was released, many assumed the film drew heavily from Keaton and Allen's real-life romance. The story follows a comedian who falls for an eccentric singer-actress. This character's quirks — from her awkward charm to her unpredictable habits — reminded audiences of Keaton herself.

In the movie, her character drives recklessly through Manhattan, struggles with intimacy, and navigates complicated relationships, including one with a musician after the breakup.

The parallels to Keaton's own personality and her history with Allen led many to believe the film was a reflection of their year living together in 1971.

When asked whether the film mirrored her real life, Keaton clarified, "It's not true, but there are elements of truth in it." She continued, "It's about a relationship, and because Woody and I know each other well and have had a relationship, there's a quality of truth in it. My real last name is Hall, for instance."

Still, the actress noted that she and Allen didn't meet on a tennis court as depicted in the film, but during an audition for his play "Play It Again, Sam." Though she did drive a Volkswagen, she described herself as a cautious and overly careful driver, the opposite of her on-screen counterpart.

Unlike the character, she didn't rely on marijuana, admitting she had only tried it years earlier while appearing in "Hair," but avoided it because it made her anxious. Instead, she preferred an occasional glass of wine to unwind.

Her parents, she said, were nothing like the Midwestern family portrayed in the movie. They were from Balboa Island, California, and were non-Jewish but otherwise bore no resemblance to the fictional parents.

The film's exaggerated details, such as spiders in the bathtub or an affair with a rock musician, were also pure invention — none of which had ever been part of her real life.

From 'Play It Again, Sam' to Always: The Romance That Defined an Era

In real life, when Keaton met Allen during her audition for "Play It Again, Sam," she was drawn to him. "I had a huge crush on Woody right from the moment I saw him," she admitted. At the time, his height became an amusing factor in the casting process.

Standing at 5'7", Allen was relatively short, so their heights were playfully compared by putting their heads together. Keaton recalled that she ultimately got the part because she wasn't taller than him.

During filming, Keaton said she found Allen to be "hilarious," a quality that would later define both their personal connection and their on-screen chemistry.

Keaton openly admired Allen and held deep affection for him, describing how much she truly adored him as they filmed. She mentioned that Allen initially doubted the potential of "Play It Again, Sam" and viewed it as something simple and familiar.

Keaton, however, recognized its brilliance from the start and believed in the strength of the story he had written.

The actress gushed, "He's the strongest person I've met in my life. He's made of steel. And talk about a work ethic – he's one of the people that really did teach me that you have to work hard. But he wanted to. He's the most disciplined person I've known, with the exception of my dad."

Keaton added that, unlike her father, whose focus waned after retirement, Allen's drive never seemed to fade. She admired how he continued to practice his clarinet, perform with his band, and direct a new film every year.

Allen maintained complete creative control even into his late seventies. To her, his unwavering commitment to his craft was both rare and extraordinary in the history of cinema.

A Rare, Enduring Devotion

Allen referred to Keaton as his "north star" in his 2020 memoir, adding that her opinion mattered the most to him. This deeply moved her. She expressed profound gratitude for his influence on her life and career.

"He was so amazing. It always was really special to be with Woody. He was great. He was everything, and he remains [so] to me. He gave me everything. He really did. Woody made it loose. That helped me enormously," she enthused.

In her 2011 memoir "Then Again," Keaton reflected on the unique dynamic she shared with Allen. The actress recalled, "We were quite the couple, one more hidden than the other. We both wore hats in public, and he always held my hand or, rather, gripped it without letting go."

She wrote that their relationship, which lasted about three years, was built on a shared fondness for torturing each other about their shortcomings. "He could sling out insults, but so could I. We thrived on demeaning each other," the actress penned.

They enjoyed this back-and-forth, with Allen's sharp observations about her personality often being both accurate and amusing. "This bond remains the core of our friendship and, for me, love," she noted.

A Tribute from an Unexpected Source

It seems the bond Keaton shared with Allen also extended to others who had once been close to him. Mia Farrow, another of Allen's former partners, reacted to the news of Keaton's death with a heartfelt tribute.

Sharing a photo of the actress beaming brightly, Farrow wrote, "She was an absolutely wonderful actress – and a rare and fascinating person. Thoughts with her children and sisters. Rest in peace Diane."

Through Decades of Scandal, She Stood by Him

Allen and Keaton rode through both the good and difficult times together. When sexual abuse allegations involving his adoptive daughter, Dylan Farrow, surfaced in the early 1990s, Keaton stood by him. The accusations sparked one of Hollywood's most publicized controversies, marked by a highly publicized custody battle and decades of divided opinion within the industry and beyond.

Allen, who has consistently denied the claims, was never charged with a crime, while Keaton maintained her support for him. When Keaton was asked directly about Farrow's accusation — that she had defended someone who allegedly molested her — her smile faded. However, she responded simply, "I have nothing to say about that. Except: I believe my friend."

Allen also addressed the allegations in an open letter, writing in part, "Dylan's older brother Moses has said that he witnessed their mother doing exactly that – relentlessly coaching Dylan, trying to drum into her that her father was a dangerous sexual predator. It seems to have worked – and, sadly, I'm sure Dylan truly believes what she says."

Through all these chapters — from creative triumphs to public controversies — Allen and Diane Keaton's bond endured. She remained one of his fiercest defenders and most loyal friends. With her passing, he has lost not only a defining muse but also one of his greatest supporters and dearest companions.