Losing a cherished friend is one of life’s most profound heartaches, and Sarah Paulson is currently navigating this painful reality following the sudden passing of her close friend, the legendary Diane Keaton. On Thursday night, Paulson attended the star-studded world premiere of Hulu’s new Ryan Murphy series, All’s Fair, in Los Angeles, joining fellow cast members and friends Kim Kardashian, Glenn Close, Teyana Taylor, Niecy Nash-Betts, and Naomi Watts. Yet, the evening was tinged with sorrow, as Paulson continues to grieve Keaton’s unexpected death, which occurred just days earlier at age 79 due to pneumonia.
Paulson, known for her poise and professionalism, bravely faced the press, sharing glimpses of what Keaton meant to her over their 20-year friendship. The two first met on the set of the 1999 drama The Other Sister, directed by Garry Marshall, where Keaton played Paulson’s on-screen mother. Their bond transcended the screen, evolving into a deep and lasting connection.
“I was incredibly close to her, and this is a profoundly sad time for me,” Paulson told The Hollywood Reporter, choosing to keep her most cherished memories private. “For all you knew and loved about her as a performer, she was even more as a friend,” she added, her words underscoring the depth of their relationship.
But here’s where it gets emotional: During an interview with Scott Evans for Access Hollywood, Paulson became visibly teary, reflecting, “I was the luckiest person in the world to have had her in my life the way that I did.” Her raw vulnerability in that moment spoke volumes about the impact Keaton had on her.
In a viral video shared by InStyle, Paulson had recently praised Keaton at Chanel’s Through Her Lens Luncheon in New York, calling her “a generous, playful, fun, and alive performer” who taught her invaluable lessons about acting. “She really took me under her wing,” Paulson recalled, emphasizing how Keaton’s mentorship shaped her career. Beyond their professional connection, Paulson celebrated Keaton as a filmmaker, fashion icon, and “absolute iconoclast,” expressing gratitude for their enduring friendship.
And this is the part most people miss: Keaton’s influence extended far beyond her on-screen roles. As tributes poured in from Hollywood heavyweights like Keanu Reeves, Richard Gere, and Al Pacino, it became clear that Keaton’s legacy was as much about her humanity as her artistry. Pacino’s heartfelt words to Deadline summed it up: “Diane was my partner, my friend, someone who brought me happiness… the memories remain vivid, and with her passing, they have returned with a force that is both painful and moving.”
As Paulson continues to mourn, her experience raises a thought-provoking question: How do we honor the legacies of those who’ve shaped our lives, while navigating the grief of their absence? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep the conversation going about the power of friendship, mentorship, and the enduring impact of those we’ve lost.
