Al Pacino is mourning his "The Godfather" costar, "partner" and "friend" Diane Keaton.

The actor remembered the Oscar-winning actress, his longtime friend and former romantic partner, in a lengthy statement shared with Deadline on Thursday, Oct. 16.

Pacino, who is shooting a film in Paris, said he was "deeply saddened" by the news of Keaton's death. The "Annie Hall" actress died the morning of Oct. 11 at 79 from pneumonia, according to People.

"When I first heard the news, I was shaken. Diane was my partner, my friend, someone who brought me happiness and on more than one occasion influenced the direction of my life," Pacino said. "Though over thirty years has past (sic) since we were together, the memories remain vivid, and with her passing, they have returned with a force that is both painful and moving."

Keaton was cast before Pacino for "The Godfather," and they met during a screen test for the first film in the trilogy. Director Francis Ford Coppola asked her after, "What do you think of Al?" and, as Keaton recalled to Interview magazine, she replied, "I think he's great." But their relationship didn't take off until they starred in "The Godfather Part II," and they stayed together for 15 years.

"I was mad for him," the actress told People. "Charming, hilarious, a nonstop talker. There was an aspect of him that was like a lost orphanage … and oh, gorgeous."

After the split − she said in a CBS interview that he was more of a serious actor, who liked to read Shakespeare together at night − they didn't remain close.

But at Keaton's 2017 American Film Institute Life Achievement Award ceremony, Pacino took the stage saying, "Hi, Di, good seeing you, I like your hat," and went on to declare, "You're a great artist. … I love you forever." In a 2021 interview highlighting questions from her closest friends, she told him, "I was in love with you. You couldn't be more magical and entertaining and unique and all those things wrapped into one."

In his tribute, Pacino recalled Keaton's generosity, "once-in-a-lifetime gift" and undying legacy.

"She lived without limits, and everything she touched carried her unmistakable energy," Pacino continued. "On screen, she was magnetic — lightning and charm, hurricanes and tenderness. She was a wonder. She was unstoppable, resilient and above all, deeply human."

He added: "People will miss her, but more than that, they will remember her. I will always remember her. She could fly — and in my heart, she always will."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Al Pacino mourns Diane Keaton, 'Godfather' costar and former flame

Reporting by Taijuan Moorman and Wendy Naugle, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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