Reese Witherspoon fought back tears as she publicly paid tribute to the late Diane Keaton.
The “Morning Show” actress got emotional as she spoke about her personal relationship with Keaton on stage at her media company Hello Sunshine’s Shine Away event in Los Angeles on Saturday.
“Diane was a really important person. She was one of my first mentors in this business,” Witherspoon shared in a video posted to her Instagram.
She explained how Keaton became her guiding light after auditioning for the “Annie Hall” star when she was just 15 years old. Witherspoon, 49, recalled that Keaton immediately cast her in the 1991 TV movie “Wildflowers,” which Keaton directed.
Witherspoon stars in the film as Ellie Perkins, who, along with her brother Sammy, played by William McNamara, help Alice, an abused deaf girl played by Patricia Arquette.
The “Big Little Lies” star said it was only her second or third time auditioning for the film and that Keaton was attracted to her “country accent.”
“She said, ‘Who are you?'” Witherspoon recalled with humor. “So I said, ‘I’m Reese Witherspoon and I’m from Nashville, Tennessee,’ and she said, ‘Are you making that up? What’s that accent?'”
Witherspoon praised Keaton, calling him “incredible” and “a truly unique person.”
“So to Diane, watch her movies and wear really cool, interesting clothes in black and white,” Witherspoon said.
“Take cool photos and just live the dream,” she continued. “Be unique and interesting. I’m sure Diane will be happy.”
Witherspoon also shared a sweet message about Keaton in her Instagram caption.
“Diane Keaton changed the way we view women on screen. Smart, funny, stylish, and completely original,” she wrote. “I’m so grateful to have her as my mentor. 🤍”
Keaton died in California at the age of 79. In her last Instagram photo, posted in April, Keaton appeared happy and healthy alongside her dog Reggie, but a friend of the actress told People magazine that the actress’ health had taken an unexpectedly rapid turn for the worse in the months leading up to her death.
Tributes poured in from the iconic actress’s famous friends following news of her death, including her “First Wives Club” co-stars Bette Midler and Goldie Hawn, “Father of the Bride” co-stars Steve Martin and Kimberly Williams-Paisley.
Many actresses, including Sarah Jessica Parker, have said they were inspired by Keaton.
“Diane Keaton was an inspiration to countless actresses, and I am among those who loved and admired her,” the “Sex and the City” star wrote on Instagram.
“It was an honor to witness her extraordinary skills and talent on both The First Wives Club and The Family Stone,” she continued. “I will cherish those memories on set and her inspiring, entertaining and complete film career of her own. This is a wonderful legacy of a wonderful person.”
