Goldie Hawn Mourns "Shimmering Path" Left by Departed First Wives Club Co-Star Diane Keaton
Goldie Hawn is honoring the memory of her departed costar and dear friend, Diane Keaton.
“Diane, we are not prepared to bid you farewell,” Hawn, 79, posted on Instagram on Saturday, October 11, mere hours after reports surfaced that the celebrated actress had passed away in California at 79.
“You have bequeathed us a shimmering path, strewn with luminescence and unforgettable recollections,” she proceeded in her caption, which accompanied an exquisite black and white photograph of Keaton sporting one of her signature hats and scarves. “How do we utter farewell? What expressions can surface when one's heart is shattered? You always eschewed commendation, so modest, but now you cannot instruct me to “be quiet” darling. There existed, and will always exist, no equal to you.”
She went on to state, “You captivated audiences globally and imparted your brilliance to countless individuals, creating movies that evoked laughter and tears in a manner uniquely yours. I was fortunate to collaborate with you on First Wives Club, with our mornings commencing over coffee in the makeup trailer, filled with mirth and banter, extending until the final day of production. It was an emotional journey of affection.”
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The Overboard star then elaborated on the future aspirations the two previous costars had envisioned for their lives.
“We had a pact to age gracefully side-by-side, and perhaps someday, cohabitate with all our female companions,” she further expressed in the poignant online message. “Alas, we never achieved communal living, but we certainly aged together. One wonders… perhaps in an existence yet to come.”
She concluded, “Let your enchantment sparkle from above, dear friend. I will profoundly miss you.”
Reports of Keaton’s demise surfaced on Saturday, October 11. A family representative informed People that the actress passed away at her residence in California. No further specifics about her passing were disclosed, as Keaton’s family requested discretion during this trying period.
Keaton and Hawn, 79, shared the screen in the 1996 movie The First Wives Club with Bette Midler. The three portrayed Elise Elliot (Hawn), Annie Paradis (Keaton), and Brenda Cushman (Midler). The ensemble cast also included Maggie Smith, Sarah Jessica Parker, Stockard Channing, Dan Hedaya, Victor Garber, Stephen Collins, Elizabeth Berkly, and Marcia Gay Harden.
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In 2015, Hawn clarified the reason a follow-up to the film had never materialized, despite persistent requests from fans to witness the trio together again.
“We were all mature women, and each of us accepted a reduced salary to facilitate the production, ensuring the studio met its financial requirements,” she informed Harvard Business Review then. “We collectively agreed to a smaller share of the profits and a significantly lower upfront payment than typical. Consequently, we performed exceptionally well. The film garnered immense success. It generated substantial revenue. We even graced the cover of Time magazine.”
She elaborated: “Yet, two years subsequently, when the studio proposed a continuation, they sought to provide us with the identical agreement. We found ourselves starting from scratch. If three men had been involved, their compensation would have been elevated without hesitation. However, the apprehension surrounding films starring women is ingrained within the industry.”
Nevertheless, circumstances appeared to shift in November 2020, as Hawn suggested the likelihood of the three actresses reconvening for a subsequent film.
“The screenplay requires approval, and currently, they have just presented us with an updated version, which I need to review,” Hawn, 79, conveyed to Entertainment Tonight on November 18. “Thus, we are making gradual progress towards it, to put it mildly.”
The film, which ultimately remained unproduced, was slated to feature the initial three female leads, alongside their offspring and progeny, following the death of the man each had wed within a department store. In 2024, Midler informed People that the project was trapped in “development limbo.”
“It resides in the void where all promising screenplays vanish,” she appended. “Fifteen years seems to be the threshold, in my opinion. After a project has been undergoing development for a decade and a half, one tends to concede defeat.”
Midler extended homage to Keaton on October 11. “The magnificent, gorgeous, exceptional Diane Keaton has passed away,” Midler, 79, posted on Instagram. “I am unable to articulate the profound sorrow this news brings me.”
“She possessed immense comedic talent, was truly unparalleled, and entirely devoid of deceit, or any rivalry one might anticipate from an actress of her stature,” Midler further expressed. “Her public persona was her authentic self…oh, la, lala!”
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Hawn’s daughter, Kate Hudson, likewise honored her mother’s departed costar.
“Our affection for you, Diane, is immense,” she inscribed beneath a still from The First Wives Club on Instagram on the day Keaton’s passing was disclosed.
