MS. PERSON ON
DIANE KEATON on helping to fight cancer, becoming a mom after 50 and why she can’t stay away from Woody Allen
When you have a conversation with Diane Keaton, you can be sure of one thing: You will not just talk about one thing. The Oscar-winning actress’ wide range of interests ensures that a chat with Keaton will range from reflections on her long, successful career as a film star to a discussion about why she never married — but decided to become a mother at age 50 — to why she and ex-beau and filmmaking collaborator Woody Allen maintain a strong friendship to this day.
Keaton, who heads to Chicago Oct. 3 to be the keynote speaker for the Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation’s annual fall luncheon at the Hilton Chicago, is also delighted to help shine a spotlight on a cause that has had an effect on her life — as it has for millions of people.
“As I get older and older, I find I have more and more of a connection to the fight against cancer,” says Keaton, 67. She’s had friends who’ve passed away from many kinds of cancer, including breast cancer, the eradication of which is the primary focus of the Lynn Sage group’s nearly three-decade crusade. “My father died of brain cancer. My grandmother died of colon cancer. I’ve had so many friends, in their early 60s, or even much younger, who have died from cancer,” says Keaton. “It doesn’t matter what age, because life is life and the loss of it is terrible, but the young ones make it so much sadder.”
Keaton vividly remembers when her father was diagnosed. “My dad