Diane Keaton's family thank public for 'love and support' after actress's death

The family of actress Diane Keaton has thanked fans for their "extraordinary messages of love and support" following the actress's death aged 79.

The Keaton family said in a statement to People magazine that the Oscar winner's death was caused by pneumonia.

Keaton shot to fame in the 1970s for her work in The Godfather films, and also starred in Father of the Bride, Something's Gotta Give, First Wives Club and Annie Hall - for which she won an Academy Award in 1978.

The actress's death in California on Saturday led to an outpouring of tributes from Hollywood legends, including co-stars in some of her most popular films.

"The Keaton family are very grateful for the extraordinary messages of love and support they have received these past few days on behalf of their beloved Diane, who passed away from pneumonia on October 11," read the statement to People magazine, which first reported Keaton's death.

The BBC has asked for comment from the actress's representatives.

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can be caused by many different germs, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some people are considered to be at higher risk due to their age, or if they have any underlying health conditions.

The Keaton family statement also asked that any donations or support be directed to causes that were important to the actress, primarily local food banks or an animal shelter.

Among those who have paid tribute to Keaton in recent days are First Wives Club co-star Goldie Hawn, who said Keaton left "a trail of fairy dust, filled with particles of light and memories beyond imagination". Bette Midler, who co-starred alongside the pair in the film, called Keaton "brilliant, beautiful, extraordinary".

Steve Martin, who starred with Keaton in Father of the Bride alongside Martin Short, reposted an excerpt of a magazine article in which Short is quoted asking: "Who's sexier, me or Steve Martin?"

Keaton replies: "I mean, you're both idiots." In his post, Martin wrote: "Don't know who first posted this, but it sums up our delightful relationship with Diane."

Throughout her more than five-decade career, Keaton starred in dozens of other films including The Family Stone, Because I Said So, And So It Goes, as well as a number of Woody Allen films, like Play It Again, Sam, Sleeper, Love and Death and Manhattan.

For Annie Hall, Keaton won the Academy Award for Best Actress along with a Golden Globe Award and BAFTA Award.

Keaton was nominated for three other Oscars throughout her storied career - all in the best actress category - for her work in Something's Gotta Give, Marvin's Room and Reds.

As well as her acting achievements, Keaton was known for her trademark style, and favoured wearing turtlenecks, hats and thick-rimmed eyeglasses.

That style was even referenced in the film Something's Gotta Give, in which Keaton told Jack Nicholson's character that she's "just a turtleneck kinda gal".