Goldie Hawn and Sarah Paulson Pay Emotional Tribute to Diane Keaton at THR’s Women in Entertainment Gala: "She Was a Force of Nature"

At The Hollywood Reporters Women in Entertainment gala in Los Angeles, Goldie Hawn and Sarah Paulson delivered a moving homage to their late friend Diane Keaton, evoking tears from the audience. Hawn appeared visibly emotional as she addressed attendees at the Beverly Hills Hotel following a video montage celebrating Keatons life, showcasing clips from Annie Hall, The Godfather, and The First Wives Club, along with archival interviews and footage from awards ceremonies, including her AFI Life Achievement Award.

Hawn recounted her close connection with Keaton, explaining that they lived near each other and often spoke from their backyards. She described the moment she learned of Keatons passing while in her rose garden, saying, She cant be gone. She just cannot be gone. No one like that should ever die. She brought so much joy, so much life, so much exuberance. She was like lightning in a bottle.

Reflecting on Keatons talents, Hawn said, She was an extraordinary human being. Yes, an incredible actress, but also a writer, a director, and someone deeply curious about the world beyond acting. She shared the struggle of capturing Keatons essence, noting that social media felt insufficient to express her feelings. Its like trying to explain what a taste of a tangerine tastes like, Hawn said.

Hawn also recalled memories from filming The First Wives Club with Keaton and Bette Midler, highlighting Keatons dedication and iconic style, often wearing a different hat each day. She mentioned Keatons choice to embrace motherhood later in life, adopting two children in her 50s, and described meeting her daughter Dexter for the first time as a revelation of Keatons new chapter as a parent.

She was like a little lightning bug, Hawn concluded, always moving forward, a pure star in every sense of the word.

Sarah Paulson echoed these sentiments, describing the difficulty of speaking about someone so extraordinary. She reflected on presenting Keaton with THRs Sherry Lansing Leadership Award in 2012 and shared humorous and affectionate exchanges from their long friendship, including playful emails and texts that captured Keatons wit and personality.

Paulson ended her tribute with a heartfelt note she wished she could send to Keaton today: a message of apology for missed calls, acknowledgment of lifes changes, and deep gratitude for their friendship. Thank you for being my friend, she said.

The 2025 Women in Entertainment gala also honored Jennifer Lopez with the Equity in Entertainment Award, Gwyneth Paltrow with the Sherry Lansing Award, and featured a keynote speech by Molly McNearney. The event was presented by Lifetime and supported by sponsors including Delta Air Lines, Medicube, Reyka Vodka, and Seven Bucks Productions, in collaboration with several educational and charitable organizations.

Author: Benjamin Carter