In the ‘70s, Diane Keaton starred in the iconic, first two “Godfather” films, “Manhattan” and Woody Allen’s “Annie Hall”, delivering a performance that would win her an Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe. She was nominated for another Academy Award for 1981’s “Reds”, and was on the ballot once again for 1996’s “Marvin’s Room” and 2003’s “Something’s Gotta Give”. Some of Keaton’s other popular films include the duo of “Father of the Bride” installments and “The First Wives Club”.
Since 2005 Keaton has been attracted to a couple key genres. One is the dysfunctional family comedy, with roles in “The Family Stone”, “Because I Said So”, “The Big Wedding” and “Love the Coopers”. There have been some rom-coms: “And So It Goes” with Michael Douglas, “5 Flights Up” with Morgan Freeman and “Love, Weddings & Other Disasters” with Jeremy Irons.
And Keaton is a fan of ensemble comedies, like “Mad Money” with Queen Latifah, Katie Holmes and Ted Danson. 2010’s delightful “Morning Glory” is another one. Keaton was joined by Harrison Ford at the anchor desk of a national morning news program, with Rachel McAdams as their producer and Jeff Goldblum as their boss. And let’s not leave out the older women empowerment ensemble comedies “Poms” (co-starring Jacki Weaver, Rhea Perlman and Pam Grier) and “Book Club” (with Jane Fonda, Mary Steenburgen and Candice Bergen).
Paramount released “Book Club” in May 2018, to a $104 million worldwide box office gross. Focus Features will distribute sequel “Book Club 2: The Next Chapter” in May 2023. As for voice acting, Keaton has teamed-up with longtime friend Ellen DeGeneres to voice Dory’s mom Jenny in 2016’s “Finding Dory” and the character of Michellee on the 20-episode Netflix series “Green Eggs and Ham”.
Keaton’s latest film, “Mack & Rita”, is in theaters this weekend. It’s a comedy… with some romance… and a star-studded supporting ensemble that includes Wendie Malick, Loretta Devine, Amy Hill and Lois Smith as older female gal pals — plus comedian Nicole Byer, Simon Rex (“Red Rocket”), Taylour Paige (“Zola”), Patti Harrison (“Together Together”) and even Martin Short in a brief voiceover role.