On January 5, 2026, what would have been Diane Keaton’s 80th birthday, the entertainment world was awash in tributes, memories, and a palpable sense of loss for one of Hollywood’s most singular icons. Just months after Keaton’s sudden passing in October 2025 at age 79 from pneumonia, friends, colleagues, and fans alike found creative and heartfelt ways to honor her legacy, with actress Sarah Paulson and comedian Chelsea Handler leading the charge in public remembrance.
Sarah Paulson, whose friendship with Keaton spanned over two decades, marked the day with an intimate and permanent tribute. As reported by Parade and Daily Mail, Paulson took to Instagram, sharing a sunset silhouette photo of herself with Keaton and unveiling a new tattoo on her forearm: the delicate initials "DK." In a caption that resonated with raw emotion, Paulson wrote, “You would have been 80 today. Too many deep feelings to put here… I was the luckiest person in the world to have traveled, laughed so hard we cried, watched a million and one movies, really cried, and eaten French fries with you. You. You. Wondrous, singular, YOU. I will miss you till the end of time.”
The tattoo, crafted by Los Angeles artist Daniel Winter at Winterstone studio, was more than just ink—it was a “forever reminder, of one of my forever people,” Paulson explained. The gesture was met with an outpouring of love from friends and fans, with fellow actress Melanie Lynskey commenting, “All my love to you sweetest friend,” and Rachel Zegler adding, “love you mama.” The tattoo studio itself celebrated the homage, posting, “What you did for your people in time of heavy grief was just Amazing! Happy I got to share that moment with you!”
Paulson’s relationship with Keaton began in 1999, when they starred together in the film The Other Sister, with Keaton playing Paulson’s mother. Their bond blossomed into a deep friendship that endured through the years, filled with shared adventures, countless movies, laughter, and the kind of inside jokes that only true friends understand. “Our friendship was a gift,” Paulson told Daily Mail. She’s been candid about the depth of her grief, admitting, “I will miss you till the end of time.”
In the months following Keaton’s death, Paulson found solace in the small relics of their friendship—voicemails, emails, and cherished memories. At The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Gala in December 2025, Paulson stood before a star-studded crowd at the Beverly Hills Hotel and read aloud several of Keaton’s voicemails, each brimming with the actress’s signature wit and warmth. “Sarah, I hate your phone. It is always full, and I can never leave a message. Moron, what is your address? Hurry home, sucker idiot. Diane,” one message went. Another read, “How are you? I want to hear everything. When are you back? You sent me an email very recently, but it’s gone. Don’t ask why. Don’t ask what I did. I’m a loser from way back.”
Paulson admitted to saving every voicemail from Keaton, listening to them whenever she missed her friend. She even shared the words she wished she could have sent Keaton: “Dear dumb-dumb, I want to tell you I’m sorry that voicemail was always full. I want to tell you I’m sorry I wasn’t available every time you called me. I want to tell you how much crummier the world is without you in it.” The pain of loss was still fresh for Paulson, who became visibly emotional at the All’s Fair premiere in October 2025, telling Access Hollywood, “She was a very dear friend of mine, so it’s not something I’m able to talk about yet. What you thought she was as a performer … she was even more spectacular as a human being. And I was the luckiest person in the world to have had her in my life the way that I did.”
While Paulson’s tribute was deeply personal, the 2026 Critics Choice Awards provided a more public stage for remembrance. Host Chelsea Handler, known for her sharp wit and irreverent humor, took a different but equally heartfelt approach. According to People and Getty Images, Handler donned a fitted black tuxedo with a crisp white shirt and a black tie—a sartorial nod to Keaton’s iconic menswear style. “This little outfit is my nod to Diane Keaton, another person I think we should be remembering tonight,” Handler told the audience, her words underscoring the absence of a formal in memoriam segment at the ceremony.
Keaton’s penchant for tailored suits was legendary, a style she embraced both on and off the screen. Her trainer once reminisced on Instagram about Keaton’s unique workout attire: “Everyone was very much aware that she was in the room. Of course because of who she was. But also for the fact that she did the class in her hat, sunglasses, pinstriped outfit, and was an absolute riot the entire time.” Handler’s tribute, delivered with humor and grace, resonated with viewers who remembered Keaton not just for her talent, but for her authenticity and flair.
During her opening monologue, Handler also honored Rob and Michele Reiner for their dedication to important causes, saying, “Rob and Michele were tireless in their efforts to so many important causes, all stemming from one basic idea — decency. That we should all look out for each other, and I think we can all agree that we all need more of that.” The sentiment echoed the spirit of community and kindness that Keaton herself embodied throughout her career.
Keaton’s death in October 2025 came as a shock to many, with friends and colleagues describing her health decline as “very suddenly” and unexpectedly rapid. She left behind a legacy that extended far beyond her Oscar-winning performance in Annie Hall and her iconic roles in films like The First Wives Club and The Other Sister. As her trainer put it, “What you thought she was as a performer, she was even more spectacular as a human being.”
For those who knew her, Diane Keaton was lightning in a bottle—wondrous, singular, and unforgettable. Her friends, like Sarah Paulson, will carry her memory in tattoos, voicemails, and the countless moments they shared. For the wider world, her legacy lives on in every tailored suit, every offbeat laugh, and every story told in her honor.
