Additional Coverage:
- Diane Keaton and Al Pacino’s on-off love: The truth about Hollywood’s quietest romance (foxnews.com)
Al Pacino Reportedly Expresses Regret Over Not Marrying Late Diane Keaton
Hollywood is mourning the loss of legendary actress Diane Keaton, who passed away on October 11 at the age of 79. In the wake of her death, reports suggest that longtime love and “Godfather” co-star Al Pacino is reflecting on their nearly two-decade-long relationship, expressing regret over not having proposed to Keaton when he had the chance.
Keaton’s family confirmed her passing and requested privacy, offering no further details on the cause of death. However, a close friend shared with People magazine that her health had experienced a sudden and heartbreaking decline prior to her death.
“She declined very suddenly, which was heartbreaking for everyone who loved her,” the friend stated. “It was so unexpected, especially for someone with such strength and spirit.”
The friend added that in her final months, Keaton was surrounded only by her closest family, with even longtime friends unaware of the full extent of her condition.
Sources close to Al Pacino claim the acclaimed actor is now grappling with what might have been. “Looking back, Al admits the love of his life was Diane who he’s always called, ‘an amazing woman.’
I know he will forever regret he didn’t make his move when he had the chance,” a source told the Daily Mail. The source further recounted Pacino’s past sentiment: “For years after he and Diane split, Al used to say, ‘if it’s meant to be, it’s never too late for a do-over.’
But sadly, now it is.”
Pacino and Keaton’s iconic romance began after they met on the set of “The Godfather” in 1971, where they played Michael and Kay Corleone. Their relationship, an on-again, off-again affair, spanned nearly two decades before concluding in 1987.
Despite living mere miles apart in Beverly Hills for years following their breakup, the pair reportedly did not maintain communication. A source recalled asking Pacino about this, to which he responded, “There’s no need to talk with each other.
We said everything that needed to be said at the time.”
Even without direct contact, Pacino publicly honored Keaton in 2017 at the American Film Institute’s 45th lifetime achievement award. On stage, he affectionately told her, “You’re a great artist. I love you forever.”
Keaton herself had spoken fondly of Pacino in interviews, telling People in 2017, “I was mad for him. Charming, hilarious, a nonstop talker.”
She described an “aspect of him that was like a lost orphan, like this kind of crazy idiot savant. And oh, gorgeous!”
She revealed she had given Pacino an ultimatum regarding marriage, admitting she “worked hard on that one. I went about it in not a perfect way.”
While Keaton never married, she adopted two children, Dexter and Duke, in her 50s. She often expressed a strong inclination against marriage, recalling a high school moment where she rejected the idea of being “a good wife.”
However, she did confess to The Sunday Times in 2017 that she had considered marrying Pacino. “I didn’t even want him to propose.
I just thought maybe he would marry me, eventually. I thought, ‘don’t even propose – let’s just do it.’
But that never happened, and that is a blessing for both of us. It would have been a nightmare for him,” she said, adding that their eccentric personalities meant “it was just very important that we left each other alone, said goodbye.
But it wasn’t my choice.”
Pacino, who also never married, is a father to four children: Julie Marie, twins Anton and Olivia, and Roman. Sources indicate he prioritized spending time with his children, even purchasing a home in Los Angeles to be closer to those on the West Coast.
An anecdote from Pacino’s memoir, “Sonny Boy,” highlights Keaton’s steadfast support. Following the success of “The Godfather” and “Dog Day Afternoon,” Pacino recounted going broke due to “spending and not earning.”
Keaton reportedly intervened, accompanying him to his lawyer’s office and passionately advocating for him, exclaiming, “You’re going to tell me, ‘Oh, he’s an artist.’ No.
*He. Is.
An idiot*. He’s an ignoramus.
When it comes to this, you’ve got to take care of him.”
Al Pacino’s representative did not respond to requests for comment regarding these reports. The reflections underscore a poignant chapter in Hollywood history, marking the profound impact Diane Keaton had on those who knew her, both personally and professionally.