Sarah Paulson Honors Late Friend Diane Keaton with Tattoo and Heartfelt Memories
Sarah Paulson and Diane Keaton shared a remarkable friendship that spanned many decades.
Paulson was seen weeping outside Keaton’s residence after news of the Annie Hall star’s passing at age 79 emerged in October 2025. Page Six reported that the pair had been close “for quite some time.”
Keaton and Paulson collaborated on 1999’s The Other Sister. Keaton portrayed Elizabeth Tate, mother to Paulson’s Heather Tate and sister to Juliette Lewis’ Carla Tate, and it’s believed their friendship blossomed around that period.
While speaking to Variety on the red carpet prior to the premiere of Wicked in November 2024, Paulson described Keaton as “the most generous, genuinely playful, vibrant, and engaging performer.” Continue reading to learn more about the bond between Paulson and Keaton.
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Sarah Paulson Described Diane Keaton as a Cherished Friend
Paulson reflected on her friendship with Keaton in an interview with InStyle in September 2025 at the Through Her Lens Luncheon. “She played my mother in a film, my first major studio movie. It was a truly exciting experience and she was the most generous, genuinely playful, vibrant, and engaging performer and really taught me the importance of subtle nuances in a scene,” she explained in a video shared via TikTok.
She continued: “And I was quite apprehensive, and she really took me under her wing and we’ve been incredibly close friends ever since. She’s a filmmaker as well. She’s a fashion icon. She’s an absolute original. And I feel incredibly fortunate to call her a dear friend.”
Paulson also acknowledged Keaton for guiding her as a younger performer. Consequently, she stated, “I think it’s truly important to attend events like this and strive to offer whatever support I can to a young, aspiring filmmaker, which would simply be my observations and insights and things I’ve noticed and absorbed and want to share.”
Sarah Paulson’s First Dinner After Covid Was With Diane Keaton
In a June 2021 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Paulson revealed that her first dinner following the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic was with Keaton.
Paulson explained her longtime friend had informed her that she had been dining out after spending an extended period at home. “She was like, ‘I’ve been going, I’ve been sitting outdoors, I’m vaccinated, we can do it.’ So I decided to go, it’s my first dinner in 17 months outside of my home.”
Paulson also revealed Keaton enjoyed drinking Lillet wine with ice. “She prefers to have that rather than anything else [at dinner],” Paulson joked. “Let’s just say that. She really likes pasta. She doesn’t need any meat or fish.”
They Exchanged Videos Online
Just like many friends, Paulson and Keaton shared videos from social media with one another, something the Something’s Gotta Give actress revealed via Facebook in May 2020. “SARAH PAULSON SENT THIS TO ME THIS MORNING! THIS LITTLE BOY MADE ME LAUGH OUT LOUD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWO MONTHS!!!” Keaton captioned a video of a young boy appearing to debate possible Covid-19 treatments.
Sarah Paulson and Diane Keaton Cried During ‘Wicked’
While attending the red carpet for the film adaptation of Wicked in November 2024, Paulson revealed she and Keaton had seen the stage production of the beloved play together. “She and I went as friends to see it, and we simply wept like children,” Paulson told Variety.
Diane Keaton Said Sarah Paulson Filled Her With Joy
Keaton participated in a Q&A session for Interview Magazine in 2021 and was asked questions by 25 of her friends and colleagues. Paulson initially asked, “If your house was on fire and you could only save one thing, what would it be?” to which Keaton responded her dog.
Paulson then asked, “What person, place, or thing brings you immense joy? (You can say me.)”
Keaton agreed. “Of course, Sarah, you bring me immense joy,” she replied. “My friends bring me immense joy. My children bring me immense joy. But also, Lillet Blanc brings me immense joy. With lots of ice.”
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Sarah Paulson Attended Dexter Keaton’s Wedding
Paulson ventured out a second time during the same timeframe to attend the wedding of Diane’s daughter, Dexter Keaton, in June 2021, which she said was “larger than I would have preferred” (a reference to the ongoing pandemic at the time).
Sarah Paulson Speaks About Her Grief Over Diane Keaton’s Death
Days after Keaton’s death, Paulson described the grief over the loss of her friend as “a profoundly sorrowful time.”
“I can’t articulate it in any meaningful way other than to say that for all you knew and admired about her as a performer, she was even more so as a friend,” she told The Hollywood Reporter at the premiere of All’s Fair on October 16, 2025.
Additionally, in an interview with Access Hollywood, Paulson said she was “the luckiest person in the world to have had [Keaton] in my life the way that I did.”
Sarah Paulson Shares Messages From Diane Keaton Before Her Death
During the Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment gala in December 2025, Paulson shared some of the quirky emails and texts she received from Keaton before her passing.
“Sarah, I detest your phone,” one of the messages read. “It is constantly full, and I can never leave a message. Fool, what is your address? Hurry home, silly idiot. Di.”
Keaton wrote in another message, “Listen, I need to know every single thing that’s happening with you — your career, your love, your fing house. When are you available? Love you, little special. Keep me informed on developments. Diane, one of your friends.”
Paulson became emotional as she concluded her tribute with an email listing what she wished she could share with Keaton.
“Dear foolish one, I want to tell you I’m sorry that my voicemail was always full,” she said while wiping away tears. “I want to tell you I’m sorry I wasn’t available every time you called me. I want to tell you how much worse the world is without you in it. I want to tell you everything that happened in my life in the 54 days since you’ve been gone.”
Paulson continued, “I want to tell you how the world lost its mind with grief the day you died. And I want to tell you I will miss you forever, and I continue to be a fool, and I know that you would be pleased to know that. But most of all, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for being my friend. Sarah Paulson, actress. Please call.”
Sarah Paulson Gets Tattoo Honoring Late Diane Keaton
On what would have been Keaton’s 80th birthday, Paulson debuted her tattoo in honor of the late actress.
“You would have been 80 today,” Paulson wrote via Instagram in January 2025. “Too many deep feelings to express 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 until the end of time.”
While sharing a photo of her “DK” arm tattoo, Paulson concluded, “Thank you @winterstone for my forever reminder, of one of my forever people.”
