One of a kind

THE STAR WAS JUST AS MEMORABLE IN REAL LIFE AS SHE WAS ON THE BIG SCREEN

- Kylie Walters

Hollywood has been plunged into mourning following the death of Diane Keaton.

The actress, who stole the spotlight with her onscreen presence, is also being remembered as a larger-than-life figure off screen, too.

"You've left us with a trail of fairy dust, filled with particles of light and memories beyond imagination," friend and The First Wives Club costar Goldie Hawn posted on social media following the announcement of the sad news.

Keaton passed away on October 11 at the age of 79. It is believed that she recently underwent a short health battle and had "declined very suddenly", a friend told People magazine. "In her final months, she was surrounded only by her closest family, who chose to keep things very private," the friend added. "Even longtime friends weren't fully aware of what was happening."

Born in Los Angeles in 1946 as Diane Hall, Keaton had always wanted to act. After starting off in high-school plays, she enrolled in drama in college, before dropping out and moving to New York City to try her luck on Broadway. Once there, she adopted her mother's maiden name, Keaton, for her professional moniker and began a career that spanned almost 60 years.

In 1968, she was cast in the original Broadway production of Hair as the understudy for Sheila. The show's director made a comment about her needing to lose weight, triggering a struggle with bulimia she overcame with the help of therapy.

"Believe me, it had to do with an overabundant need for more. Too much. It was a mental illness," she explained to People in 2017. "I became a master at hiding. Hiding any evidence - how do you make sure no-one knows? You live a lifestyle that is very strange. You're living a lie."