In a poignant moment that moved attendees to tears, acclaimed actress Sarah Paulson paid public tribute to her cherished friend, the late Diane Keaton. The emotional homage took place on Wednesday at The Hollywood Reporter's annual Women In Entertainment breakfast gathering.
A Friend's Unsent Letter
During her speech, Paulson shared the contents of an email she wishes she could still send to Keaton. With her voice trembling with emotion, she began, "Dear dumb dumb, I want to tell you I'm sorry that my voicemail was always full." She expressed profound regret for moments of unavailability, stating, "I want to tell you I'm sorry I wasn't available every time you called me."
The "American Horror Story" star painted a vivid picture of a world dimmed by Keaton's absence. "I want to tell you how much crummier the world is without you in it," she confessed. Paulson detailed the personal void felt in the 54 days since Keaton's passing, noting her desire to share every life update. She poignantly observed that "the world lost its mind with grief the day you died."
An Enduring Bond Remembered
Paulson's tribute culminated in a promise of eternal remembrance. "And I want to tell you I will miss you forever — and I know to be a moron, and I know you would be heartened to know that," she said, capturing their unique, playful friendship. Fighting back tears, she concluded this deeply personal section with simple gratitude: "I just want to say thank you for being my friend, Sarah Paulson, actress. Please call."
Earlier in her remarks, Paulson set the tone by describing Keaton in celestial terms. She referred to her friend as a "magical creature" whose departure still feels unreal and labelled Keaton "one of the great loves" of her life. She honoured the late actress as "one of the greatest human beings the world has ever known."
A Legacy Beyond Performance
This public mourning follows Paulson's earlier, more reserved comments about her friend's death. In October, while attending the premiere of her new Hulu series "All's Fair," Paulson addressed Keaton's passing with measured grief. "She was a very dear friend of mine, so it's not something I'm able to talk about, yet," she admitted at the time.
However, she offered a powerful insight into Keaton's character that resonates with her recent, more detailed tribute. "All I can say... is that, what you thought she was as a performer — she was more spectacular as a human being," Paulson stated. This sentiment underscores the profound personal loss felt by those who knew Keaton beyond her iconic film roles.
Diane Keaton died of pneumonia in October at the age of 79. The industry and her fans worldwide mourned the loss of the Oscar-winning actress known for classics like "Annie Hall" and "The Godfather." Paulson's heartfelt words at the Women In Entertainment event provided a rare, intimate glimpse into the private woman behind the public persona and the deep, enduring friendship they shared for years, a bond evident since they were photographed together at events like Oceana's 2008 Partners Award Gala.