Diane Keaton died of pneumonia, her family confirms, thanking fans for 'love and support'

Diane Keaton, the cherished Oscar-winning actor known for her charming presence on and off the screen, died of pneumonia, her family has said.

Diane Keaton, the cherished Oscar-winning actor known for her charming presence on and off the screen, died of pneumonia, her family has said.

A statement from the family released to People Magazine on Wednesday said: "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."

The statement continued: "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."

The 79-year-old's family confirmed her death to NBC News last week but did not offer additional details, requesting privacy at the time.

Keaton, a Los Angeles native, dropped out of drama school in California and moved to New York to pursue her acting career. It was there she earned her first breakout role on Broadway, starring in Woody Allen’s "Play it Again, Sam."