Early Photos Highlight Diane Keaton’s Rise and Distinctive Style in 1960s New York

The article looks back at actress Diane Keaton’s early years in New York City during the late 1960s, before she became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable performers. Born Diane Hall in 1946, Keaton moved to New York at age 19 to study acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse under renowned teacher Sanford Meisner. Because another actress already used the name Diane Hall professionally, she adopted her mother’s maiden name, becoming Diane Keaton.

In 1968, Keaton earned her first major stage role in the original Broadway production of the musical “Hair.” The article notes that she stood out among the cast because she refused to participate in the production’s famous nude scene, a decision presented as an early sign of her strong individuality and personal values. A year later, she auditioned for Woody Allen’s Broadway play “Play It Again, Sam,” where her performance as Linda Christie earned her a Tony Award nomination. The collaboration also marked the beginning of both a professional and romantic relationship with Allen.

The piece also focuses on Keaton’s distinctive personal style during this period. Long before she became known for her signature fashion choices in films and public appearances, she was already developing an unconventional image influenced by vintage clothing and thrift-store shopping. According to the article, Keaton frequently visited Goodwill stores in search of unique outfits and favored a natural, understated appearance that contrasted with the glamorous image commonly associated with Hollywood actresses of the era.

Photographs taken by photographers such as Peter Basch in 1968 captured Keaton as a relaxed and sophisticated young actress whose individuality already distinguished her from many of her contemporaries.