Al Pacino Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Diane Keaton: ‘She Lived Without Limits’

Deadline, remembering the Keaton (whom he dated for several years) as a “once-in-a-lifetime gift” who was simply “magnetic.”

“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,” Pacino wrote. “Though over thirty years have passed since we were together, the memories remain vivid, and with her passing, they have returned with a force that is both painful and moving.”

Pacino continued: “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.”

Pacino, 85, and Keaton co-starred in 1972’s The Godfather and had a romantic relationship into the 1980s. She died last week of pneumonia at age 79.

“On screen, she was magnetic — lightning and charm, hurricanes and tenderness. She was a wonder. Acting was her art, but it was only one of the many ways she expressed her imagination and creativity,” he wrote. “People will miss her, but more than that, they will remember her. She left a mark that cannot fade. She was unstoppable, resilient, and above all, deeply human.”

He added, “I will always remember her. She could fly — and in my heart, she always will.”

Several years ago, Keaton spoke to People about her romance with Pacino, saying that she had a crush on him when they started working together. “I was mad for him,” she said. “Charming, hilarious, a nonstop talker. There was an aspect of him that was like a lost orphan, like this kind of crazy idiot savant. And oh, gorgeous!”