The Heartbreaking Way Diane Keaton’s Son Paid Tribute After Her Shocking Death

Hollywood is mourning the sudden loss of beloved actress Diane Keaton, and her son Duke Keaton has found a touching way to keep her memory alive.

Just a day after the Oscar winner’s shocking death, Duke was seen leaving her Los Angeles home in a mourning outfit.

However, what caught everyone’s attention wasn’t just his clothes but the jewelry he accessorized with.

The small gesture carried deep meaning, reflecting not only her iconic style but also the quiet love between a mother and her son.

Diane Keaton’s only son, Duke, was seen for the first time since his mother’s sudden passing as he left her Los Angeles home on Sunday.

Pictures obtained by the Daily Mail showed the 25-year-old in an all-black ensemble and two silver cross necklaces, a look instantly recognizable to fans of his late mother.

The actress had long been known for her eccentric, layered style that often included cross jewelry and her signature hats.

The image of Duke wearing those crosses felt like a living reflection of Diane’s spirit.

She adopted him in 2001 when she was 55 and had previously adopted her daughter Dexter in 1996.

Though she was very private about her children, Diane once told PEOPLE Magazine in 2007 that her family helped her lead a “sort of normal” life away from Hollywood’s spotlight.

As The Blast reported, the world was stunned when news broke that Diane Keaton had died suddenly at her Los Angeles home on October 11.

The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed they responded to a 911 call at 8:08 a.m. Saturday for a “person down” at her home and transported a 79-year-old woman to a local hospital.

Later, it was confirmed that the Hollywood icon had passed away, with her family requesting privacy.

Following the tragedy, sources revealed Diane’s health had declined sharply in recent months.

“She declined very suddenly, which was heartbreaking for everyone who loved her,” a friend shared per The Blast. “It was so unexpected, especially for someone with such strength and spirit.”

Even those close to her were unaware of how serious things had become, as her family chose to keep her final months private.

In the wake of the news, tributes poured in from various A-listers, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Jane Fonda, Reese Witherspoon, Sarah Jessica Parker, Goldie Hawn, Viola Davis, Bette Midler, and Rita Wilson.

In the months before her death, Diane’s life changed in quiet but telling ways.

Friends noticed that she had stopped her daily walks around her Brentwood neighborhood, where she was once often seen chatting with neighbors while walking her Golden Retriever, Reggie.

“She was always very nice, funny and chatty,” one source recalled. “She’d talk to her dog like he was a person. She was eccentric and very, very special.”

Friends started becoming more aware of the situation in March when the longtime real-estate flipper listed her $29 million “dream home,” a five-bedroom estate in Sullivan Canyon that she had renovated and once said she planned to live in forever.

The move came after interior damage forced her to stay temporarily in Palm Springs.

When she returned, a friend recalled she looked noticeably thinner. “She had lost so much weight,” songwriter Carole Bayer Sager told PEOPLE.

Those close to her believe Diane wanted peace, choosing privacy as her health declined.

Born Diane Hall in Los Angeles in 1946, Diane Keaton forged a legendary career that spanned over five decades.

After studying drama and performing on Broadway in “Hair,” she earned fame playing Kay Adams in “The Godfather” trilogy.

She went on to win an Oscar for her role in “Annie Hall,” where her quirky menswear-inspired style became iconic.

Off-screen, she was fiercely independent. Despite romances with stars like Al Pacino, Warren Beatty, and Woody Allen, she never married.

In interviews, Diane often spoke about her decision to remain single. “I didn’t want to give up my independence,” she once explained. “By the way, no one ever asked me to marry them either so that might be the answer.

She also credited her mother for inspiring both her love of family and her desire to live life on her own terms.

Beyond acting, Diane was an author, photographer, and winemaker.

After Diane’s death, her Los Angeles home became a gathering place for loved ones.

Actress Sarah Paulson was spotted visiting to pay her respects, and Ben Affleck’s SUV was also seen at the property.

For her children, Duke and Dexter, the loss runs deeper than words.

The duo shared a lovely relationship with their mom, which was visible in various social media posts.

In 2023, Dexter gave fans a glimpse into her bond with her mom.

She shared two black-and-white photos of herself as a child with her mom.

“My mom and I have always loved going on adventures together. From strolls on the beach to walking around a new neighborhood. I love spending time with my mom,” she captioned it.