The Scottish Sun
Diane Keaton: Don’t get obsessed with men like Woody Allen
March 4, 2013
HOLLYWOOD star Diane Keaton was Woody Allen’s girlfriend and co-star in the 1970s ”“ which is when she scooped a best actress Oscar for her role in his movie, Annie Hall.
Diane, 67, never married, despite having lovers including Al Pacino and Warren Beatty.
She has two adopted children ”“ daughter Dexter, 17, and son Duke, aged 12.
Her latest comedy, The Big Wedding, is tipped to be a summer blockbuster.
She told GARTH PEARCE what she wishes she’d known at 18.
“AT 18, I spent too long worrying and obsessing over men.
I think it might have been a problem of my generation, growing up in the 1950s.
You were “picked” by a man. You were “chosen”.
You can’t imagine that attitude today – or, at least, I hope you can’t.
I wanted to marry Al Pacino. But even if I had got what I wanted, I doubt it would have been a happy marriage. I really loved him. The first time I met him was in The Godfather movie (released in 1972, when she was 26) and I worked with him again in The Godfather Part II (1974). I gave him an ultimatum to marry me.
I love men. But I think my expectations are pretty much diminished in that area. I also wish I had understood bulimia.
I lived a big lie, eating a large amount of food in public, throwing up in private and still fitting in to tiny dresses.
This was happening in my 20s. I did not have a structure, like college life or marriage. I never quite knew what to do or how to deal with it.
Did I tell anyone at the time? Absolutely not.
I had emotional problems, which were the bane of my existence.
As much as I was very lucky to be so successful and be part of these films, I don’t think I was curious enough about how they were made. I had therapy because I suffered from low self-esteem. I wish I had realised you have to get smart and get healthy.
Even when I was with Warren Beatty, I never thought he would stick around. My mother, Dorothy, was wonderful and I wish I could have appreciated her more.
When I was younger I always thought about her helping me get what I wanted for myself. She gave me the chance to dream. In a certain sense, she was the love of my life.
She had so much vitality and energy. That is why my book – Then Again: A Memoir. published in 2011 – was a tribute.
Why did I wait so late to have children? I didn’t think about it. I wasn’t ready.
A former lover said to me: “You are a very late developer.” I was young when he said it, but he hit the nail on the head. I have always been conscious about age. I remember when I was 30, it was supposed to be a big deal – but people forgot my birthday and I didn’t make anything of it.
Everything, strangely, has got better with each decade. My 40th was not so bad and for my 50th I had a big party with Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler.
With my 60th, I did not know what to do, so I just thought a lot about time. I knew that I had to cherish every single minute from that point onwards.
Life takes on a different flavour with age. It is a much deeper experience and more satisfying. It is also more exciting and interesting.
When I adopted my children, I had to become more of a giving person.
And I had never been like that. I had been completely self-involved. I am an actress, after all!
Hollywood afforded me opportunity. But how do you want to take it? Do you want to be a big movie star and do whatever it takes to be a big movie star?
I have had opportunities, but did not really want the attention so much.
When I was linked with Keanu Reeves after the film Something’s Gotta Give (2003) it was one of the most hilarious things I had read in my life.
I wish I could say that there WAS a link and I was flattered that anyone would even think of us as an item.
My life is full, but not full of romantic love. I do not feel sad about that.
Now, I realise you can’t have everything.”Read more:Â
