The Godfather and Something's Gotta Give actor Diane Keaton has died aged 79

Twin Peaks and Something's Gotta Give star Diane Keaton has died at the age of 79.

News of Keaton's death has been confirmed by a spokesperson for the actor's family, who told People that her loved ones are asking for privacy in the wake of the sad news.

The spokesperson said that Keaton died in California, but no further details were immediately available.

Keaton was famed for roles including Annie MacDuggan Paradis in The First Wives Club, as well as Kay Adams, the girlfriend and later wife of Michael Corleone, in the iconic 1972 movie The Godfather.

News of Keaton's death has prompted tributes from fans across the globe, with chat show host Piers Morgan writing: "RIP Diane Keaton, 79. Oscar-winning star of Annie Hall, brilliant in the Godfather and Father of the Bride movies. One of Hollywood’s greatest actresses, and a delightful lady. Sad news."

Keaton began acting in high school (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

Another fan posted: "This one hurts so much: Farewell to one cinema's greatest legends, the extraordinary Diane Keaton, who passed away at just 79. She has brought so much joy with her talent over the decades of unforgettable performances. R.I.P."

A third added: "Diane Keaton in ANNIE HALL made me realize that my love of movies was something more than just a hobby. An irreplaceable, inimitable icon. The lights of cinema have grown a little dimmer today."

Keaton was born and raised in Los Angeles before she began to experiment with acting at Santa Ana High School, where she starred as Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire, Rolling Stone reports.

Diane Keaton died in California (Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage)

She later went on to study acting at Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City, before being cast as Sheila's understudy in the original Broadway production of Hair in 1968.

After she landed her role in The Godfather, Keaton praised director Francis Ford Coppola for giving her a chance.

Speaking to People in 2022, she said: "I think the kindest thing that someone's ever done for me ... is that I got cast to be in The Godfather and I didn't even read it. I didn't know a single thing. I just was going around auditioning. I think that was amazing for me. And then I had to kind of read the book."

Coppola later explained his decision to cast Keaton, Rolling Stone reports, saying: “I chose you, because although you were to play the more straight/vanilla wife, there was something more about you, deeper, funnier, and very interesting. I was right.”

Keaton never married, but she welcomed two adoptive children, daughter Dexter and son Duke, in 1996 and 2001, respectively.