If you’ve spent any time scouring the internet for the name of the man who fathered Diane Keaton’s kids, you’re basically on a wild goose chase. Honestly, the answer is a lot simpler than most people expect, but it’s also way more interesting than the typical Hollywood romance narrative.
Who was the father of Diane Keaton's children? The short answer is: nobody. Or at least, no one in the way you’re likely thinking. Diane Keaton never had biological children, and she never had a husband. Instead, she chose to become a mother entirely on her own terms through adoption, well into her 50s.
It’s a story that still trips people up because we’re so used to seeing stars like Al Pacino, Warren Beatty, or Woody Allen on her arm. But when it came to the actual business of raising a family, Keaton went solo.
The Reality Behind the Father of Diane Keaton's Children
When we talk about the father of Diane Keaton's children, we’re actually talking about a decision she made after her own father, Jack Hall, passed away in 1990. That loss really shook her. It made her look at her life—this incredibly successful, high-profile Hollywood life—and realize something was missing.
She wasn't looking for a "father figure" or a partner to share the load. She was looking for motherhood itself.
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Keaton adopted her daughter, Dexter, in 1996. At the time, Diane was 50 years old. Five years later, in 2001, she adopted her son, Duke. Because these were private adoptions, the identities of the biological fathers are not public knowledge. Keaton has always been the sole parent, the provider, and the person showing up to the Lakers games or the red carpets with them.
Why she did it alone
You’ve probably heard the rumors. People always wanted to link her children to her famous exes. But the timing doesn't even line up. By the time Dexter came home in 1996, Keaton’s famous relationship with Al Pacino was long over.
She’s been super candid about why she never married. Basically, she didn’t want to give up her independence. She saw her mother, Dorothy, give up her own dreams to be a housewife, and that just didn't sit right with her. She once told Interview Magazine that nobody ever even asked her to marry them anyway—which is kind of a hilarious bit of modesty from an Oscar winner, but it highlights her point. She wasn't waiting for a man to "allow" her to start a family.
Meet the Keaton Kids: Dexter and Duke
Because there is no "father of Diane Keaton's children" in the spotlight, the focus has always remained on the trio they formed.
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Dexter Keaton (now Dexter White) Born in 1995 and adopted in 1996, Dexter has mostly stayed away from the "nepo baby" lifestyle. She studied veterinary technology and married a racer named Jordan White in 2021. Diane was right there at the wedding, reportedly crying her eyes out like any other proud mom.
Duke Keaton
Born in 2000 and adopted in 2001, Duke is the younger sibling. He’s dipped his toes a bit more into the social scene—hanging out with people like Rita Ora or Cara Delevingne—and he’s into music and photography. But even with the famous last name, he isn't out there trying to be the next big movie star.
Keaton has often said that her kids have "zero interest" in what she does. To them, she isn't the star of Annie Hall; she’s just the mom who worries too much.
The "Father" Misconceptions
People still search for the "father of Diane Keaton's children" because they assume a woman like her must have had a partner involved. Here are the facts to clear up the confusion:
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- Al Pacino: They had a huge, on-again, off-again romance for years. She wanted to get married; he didn't. They broke up for good around the time The Godfather Part III was filming. He is not the father of her kids.
- Warren Beatty: They dated during the Reds era in the late '70s and early '80s. He eventually married Annette Bening. No kids with Diane.
- Woody Allen: Her most famous collaborator and early-career partner. They remained close friends until her death in 2025, but they never had children together.
It’s almost like the public can't wrap their heads around the idea that a woman might just... decide to be a parent because she wants to. Keaton called motherhood the most "humbling experience" of her life. She admitted it made her realize how self-absorbed she had been as an actress.
A life on her own terms
Keaton passed away in October 2025 at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy that wasn't just about movies or fashion, but about redefining what a family looks like. She proved that you don't need a "father of the children" to have a complete, loving, and successful household.
If you're looking for lessons from her journey, it’s mostly about the fact that it's never too late to change your life. Starting a family at 50 is a massive swing. Doing it without a partner in the glare of the Hollywood spotlight is even bigger.
Next Steps for Fans and Researchers:
- Check out Diane’s memoir, Then Again, for her deeply personal take on her mother and her decision to adopt.
- Look into the work of the The People Concern, a charity she supported, to see how she gave back to her community.
- Explore her late-career filmography, like Something's Gotta Give, which she filmed while she was actually raising her young children at home.