Al Pacino has expressed his sorrow over the passing of Diane Keaton, his former partner and co-star in the iconic film series, The Godfather. Keaton died on October 11 at the age of 79 due to pneumonia.

The duo became Hollywood legends with their roles in the 1972 classic, The Godfather. They portrayed Michael and Kay Corleone, a couple whose marriage is tested by the weight of Michael’s involvement in organized crime. Their chemistry extended beyond the screen, with Pacino and Keaton dating intermittently from 1971 to 1987. They reprised their roles in The Godfather: Part II and Part III, further cementing their status in cinematic history.

In a heartfelt statement to Deadline, Pacino shared his profound grief. He admitted it took him several days to come to terms with the news while he was in Paris filming with director Luc Besson.

“When I first heard the news, it was a shock,” Pacino revealed. “Diane was not only my partner and friend but also a source of joy and inspiration in my life.”

He continued, “Although it has been over thirty years since we were together, the memories are still vivid. Her passing has brought them back with an intensity that is both heartbreaking and poignant.”

“She lived without limits, and everything she touched carried her unmistakable energy. She opened doors for others, inspired generations and embodied a once-in-a-lifetime gift that radiated through her work and her life,” Pacino said. “On screen, she was magnetic — lightning and charm, hurricanes and tenderness. She was a wonder. Acting was her art, but it was only one of the many ways she expressed her imagination and creativity.”

Pacino concluded his statement with a touching tribute to Keaton’s legacy.

“People will miss her, but more than that, they will remember her. She left a mark that cannot fade. She was unstoppable, resilient and above all, deeply human,” he said. “I will always remember her. She could fly — and in my heart, she always will.”

After Keaton’s passing, The Daily Mail reported that Pacino regretted never asking for her hand in marriage. Neither of the actors married. But Keaton once revealed that she gave him an ultimatum when he wouldn’t commit to marrying her when they were together.

In 2017, Keaton opened up about her relationship with Pacino. “I worked hard on that one. I went about it in not a perfect way,” she admitted.

But she only had praise to share for the actor.

“I was mad for him. Charming, hilarious, a nonstop talker,” she confessed. “There was an aspect of him that was like a lost orphan, like this kind of crazy idiot savant. And oh, gorgeous!”

Keaton never married, but later adopted her two children Dexter and Duke.