‘Shaken’ Al Pacino breaks silence on ex-girlfriend Diane Keaton’s death: She was ‘my partner’

Al Pacino is mourning Diane Keaton following her devastating passing at the age of 79.

The “Scarface” legend, 85, who appeared alongside the actress in all three of Francis Ford Coppola’s “Godfather” films, remembered his late co-star and ex-girlfriend in a lengthy tribute to Deadline on Thursday.

“I am deeply saddened by Diane Keaton’s passing,” Pacino began. “When I first heard the news, I was shaken. Diane was my partner, my friend, someone who brought me happiness and on more than one occasion influenced the direction of my life.”

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The Oscar winner explained that despite breaking up years ago, he still felt a connection with Keaton. 

“The memories remain vivid, and with her passing, they have returned with a force that is both painful and moving,” penned Pacino. “She lived without limits, and everything she touched carried her unmistakable energy.”

“She opened doors for others, inspired generations and embodied a once-in-a-lifetime gift that radiated through her work and her life,” he added.

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The “Heat” star then took a moment to touch on Keaton’s abilities on the big screen. The late Hollywood vet had worked since 1970, and she took home an Oscar, a BAFTA and a Golden Globe during her more than five-decade career.

“On screen, she was magnetic — lightning and charm, hurricanes and tenderness,” Pacino continued. “She was a wonder. Acting was her art, but it was only one of the many ways she expressed her imagination and creativity.”

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“People will miss her, but more than that, they will remember her,” he concluded. “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.”

Pacino and Keaton first met on the set of “The Godfather” in 1971. The actor played Michael Corleone, while Keaton portrayed his wife, Kay Adams-Corleone.

In 2017, Keaton confessed to People that she “had a crush” on Pacino while filming the epic gangster film.

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Their on-again, off-again relationship lasted until 1990 when Keaton broke things off.

“I was mad for him. Charming, hilarious, a nonstop talker,” she told the outlet about when they first became official. “There was an aspect of him that was like a lost orphan, like this kind of crazy idiot savant. And oh, gorgeous!”

Keaton explained that she gave Pacino an ultimatum when he wouldn’t marry her. Ultimately, she ended things, stating, “I worked hard on that one. I went about it in not a perfect way.”

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The pals, however, remained close even after their romance ended.

Pacino later honored Keaton when she received the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.

“You’re a great artist,” he told his former co-star during the ceremony. “I remember it, and I love it, and I love you forever.”

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Keaton tragically passed away on Saturday, Oct. 11.

The late star’s family, including kids Dexter, 29, and Duke, 25,died from pneumonia in a statement to People on Wednesday.

Primary bacterial pneumonia was listed as Keaton’s immediate cause of death, according to a death certificate obtained by People on Thursday, and Keaton reportedly had pneumonia for days before her death.

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The document listed no other significant contributing conditions, but it did add that the “First Wives Club” star would be cremated.

“The Keaton family are very grateful for the extraordinary messages of love and support they have received these past few days on behalf of their beloved Diane, who passed away from pneumonia on October 11,” Keaton’s loved ones said.

“She loved her animals and she was steadfast in her support of the unhoused community, so any donations in her memory to a local food bank or an animal shelter would be a wonderful and much appreciated tribute to her,” they added.

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After Keaton’s death, a friend shared that her health had “declined very suddenly” in the final months of her life.

“It was so unexpected,” they noted to People, “especially for someone with such strength and spirit.”

The pal added that Keaton’s health crisis “was heartbreaking for everyone who loved her.”

“In her final months, she was surrounded only by her closest family, who chose to keep things very private,” the source shared. “Even longtime friends weren’t fully aware of what was happening.”

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But Keaton, meanwhile, was said to be in attendance at a fellow A-lister’s party just months before her health took a dramatic turn for the worse.

“I saw her fairly recently at Jack Nicholson’s birthday party, and it was good to see her there,” Keaton’s “Book Club” co-star Ed Begley Jr. told People Saturday.

“She loved Jack Nicholson, as I do, and Jack loved her,” the 76-year-old continued. “So I don’t mean to speak for him. I’m sure he’s as devastated as I am by her loss.”

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Begley Jr. remembered Keaton as a “wonderful actress” and “wonderful lady,” reminiscing on playing siblings in the 1992 TV film “Running Mates.”

“So I’m glad I knew her these many years,” he said.

Although Nicholson turned 88 on April 22, Begley Jr.’s rep told The Post that the party had taken place at the “Shining” star’s Los Angeles home in 2024.

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The rep shared that Begley Jr. does not remember the exact date of the party.

On Thursday, Patricia Arquette told The Post: “They just are never going to have another person on earth like her.”

“[Diane] loved being a mom,” Arquette added. “She really, really loved that.”