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SNL Star Ashley Padilla Honors Mentor Diane Keaton After Legendary Actress’ Passing
Oct
The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Hollywood icon Diane Keaton, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 79. Among those paying tribute is Saturday Night Live cast member Ashley Padilla, who once worked closely with the Oscar-winning actress before joining the long-running NBC sketch show.
Padilla, now in her second season as a featured player on SNL, previously served as Keaton’s assistant on several projects, including the 2024 comedy film Summer Camp, which starred Keaton alongside Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard. She also contributed to Keaton’s 2024 book Fashion First, a project the actress personally credited her with helping bring to life.
Following news of Keaton’s death, Padilla took to Instagram to share heartfelt messages and memories of her late mentor. In one touching black-and-white photo of the two together, she wrote simply, “I love you 🤍.” In another post shared to her Instagram Stories, Padilla expressed her deep gratitude:
“I will never forget you. I will always love you. And I will miss you all of the time. Thank you for everything, Diane. You changed my life.”
During Saturday’s live broadcast, SNL honored Keaton with an onscreen tribute just before the traditional goodnights. Although Keaton herself never appeared on Saturday Night Live, she was memorably impersonated over the years by cast members Vanessa Bayer and Chloe Fineman, a testament to her lasting influence on popular culture.
Remembering a Hollywood Legend
Diane Keaton’s career spanned more than five decades, marked by unforgettable performances and a singular charm that made her one of Hollywood’s most beloved figures. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1978 for Annie Hall and received three additional Oscar nominations for her roles in Reds, Marvin’s Room, and Something’s Gotta Give.
Keaton’s extensive filmography includes classics like The Godfather, Baby Boom, Father of the Bride, and Book Club. She was also known for her creative collaborations with directors Woody Allen and Nancy Meyers, and for inspiring generations with her signature style and wit.
As of now, no details about Keaton’s cause of death have been released. She is survived by her two children, Dexter and Duke Keaton.
A Milestone Night on SNL
Saturday’s episode marked a significant moment for SNL — the 50th anniversary of the show’s debut on October 11, 1975. Hosted by Amy Poehler with musical guest Role Model, the episode featured several sketches highlighting Padilla, who joined the cast in Season 49 after years performing with The Groundlings.
Padilla now shares the stage with new featured players Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska.
As fans celebrated five decades of Saturday Night Live, Padilla’s emotional tribute served as a poignant reminder that behind every laugh and performance are stories of inspiration, mentorship, and love — the kind that Diane Keaton gave so generously throughout her extraordinary life.
