Rachel McAdams took the stage at the 2026 Oscars to honor former The Family Stone costar Diane Keaton after her death.
“For over 50 years, luminous on screen and indelible in life, believe me when I say there isn’t an actress of my generation who is not inspired by and enthralled with her absolute singularity,” McAdams, 47, said during the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 15. “She wore so many hats — literally and figuratively — actress, artist, author, activist, but no hat more important to her than being mother to her two children.”
Keaton died from bacterial pneumonia at age 79 in October 2025. She is survived by her children, Dexter and Duke, whom she adopted in her 50s.
“She meant so much to so many of us. I remember she used to sing this old Girl Scout song on set, which is just so her,” McAdams continued on Sunday. “Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver and the other is gold. A circle is round, it has no end. That’s how long I’ll be your friend.” (McAdams appeared to switch up the song’s lyrics during Sunday’s broadcast.)
The Mean Girls actress concluded, “To our friend, Diane Keaton, celebrating a life in silver and gold, a legend with no end.”
McAdams formed a close friendship with Keaton after they played mother and daughter in 2005’s The Family Stone.
Sunday’s Oscars marked the second time McAdams paid tribute to Keaton this year. In January, McAdams received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and made mention of “the legendary working actors who I was given the great gift to learn from.” She called Keaton out by name.
“My beloved Diane Keaton, who took me under her wing like I was her own daughter,” she said. “She taught me that no matter how long you’ve been doing this, you have to leave everything you’ve got on the table.”
McAdams continued, “Each performance, you must muster up as much love as you possibly can. And then you’ll only feel like a dumb-dumb idiot half the time in life.”
During an interview with Variety following the ceremony, McAdams shared more insight into her bond with Keaton.
“I have great moments of self-doubt in every job. I remember Diane Keaton saying to me during The Family Stone that she still felt like acting didn’t come easily to her,” The Notebook star said. “I was so surprised by that because she’s so effortless and she gives so much to it. But I still don’t feel like I have the art of acting figured out.”
