Steve Martin Pays Tribute to Diane Keaton, His On-Screen Wife from Father of the Bride, Remembering Decades of Friendship and “Unmatched Grace”
The world is mourning the loss of Diane Keaton, and among those grieving deeply is Steve Martin — her longtime friend, collaborator, and on-screen husband in one of Hollywood’s most beloved family films. Following news of Keaton’s passing at 79, Martin shared a heartfelt tribute that has left fans in tears, reflecting on their bond that began more than three decades ago with Father of the Bride.
“Working with Diane was like sharing the screen with light itself,” Martin said in a statement to The New York Post. “Her kindness, her humor, her timing — it was all effortless. She could make you laugh in one moment and move you to tears in the next. She was my favorite partner in crime.”
Their chemistry on screen was undeniable. In the 1991 classic Father of the Bride and its 1995 sequel, the two portrayed George and Nina Banks, a married couple navigating parenthood, love, and the chaos of wedding planning. Together, they captured something rare — the quiet, mature tenderness of lifelong love — while still keeping audiences laughing with warmth and relatability. The magic between them was so genuine that many fans believed their friendship must have extended far beyond the set. And it did.
Over the years, Martin and Keaton remained close, often attending premieres, tributes, and award shows side by side. Their deep admiration for each other went beyond Hollywood glitz. Martin once described Keaton as “the most original soul in the business,” while she frequently called him “the funniest man alive.” It wasn’t just mutual respect — it was a lasting friendship built on shared sensibilities, wit, and a deep understanding of what it means to find joy in art.
Keaton’s death on Saturday came as a shock to many of her colleagues. Martin was among the first to speak publicly, joining a chorus of actors and filmmakers paying tribute to a woman whose career defied boundaries. “She never tried to fit into anyone’s mold,” Martin continued. “That’s what made her special. Diane was Diane — and no one else ever will be.”
Their film together, Father of the Bride, has taken on new meaning in light of her passing. Scenes that once made audiences laugh — George’s nervous breakdown over wedding expenses, Nina’s calm reassurance — now play like bittersweet memories of a Hollywood golden age. Fans have revisited the movies in recent days, flooding social media with clips and quotes, writing messages like, “The way Steve looked at her on screen wasn’t acting. It was love and admiration.”
Even beyond Father of the Bride, the two shared a deep creative language that spoke to the kind of mutual trust only seasoned performers can have. Both came from a generation of artists who valued authenticity over celebrity. They didn’t chase trends or headlines — they chased truth. And when they found it together, it lit up the screen.
As tributes pour in from across the world, Martin’s words perhaps capture the sentiment best: “There was no one like her — in art or in life. I was lucky to call her a partner, and even luckier to call her a friend.”
For Steve Martin, losing Diane Keaton is losing a piece of cinematic history — but also a piece of his heart. And for audiences who grew up watching their laughter and love unfold on screen, it feels like saying goodbye to family.
