Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · October 14, 2025 · Entertainment

Santa Ana Honors Diane Keaton: Street Sign and Water Tower Tributes

Diane Keaton's hometown, Santa Ana, California, revealed its plans to honor the late actress on Monday, following he death on Saturday at 79; pictured in 2023 in Brooklyn

BREAKING: Santa Ana Pays Tribute to Beloved Icon Diane Keaton

In a heartwarming display of love and admiration, the city of Santa Ana is celebrating the life and legacy of Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton with a series of tributes and honors. Just days after her passing at 79, the city's leaders are rolling out the red carpet to pay their respects to the iconic Godfather star.

At the center of the tribute efforts is Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua, who revealed plans to unveil a special street sign topper near Santa Ana High School, where Keaton graduated in 1963. The move was met with excitement from locals and fans alike, who are thrilled to see their beloved hometown pay tribute to one of its own.

Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua told TMZ that she plans to put a street sign topper honoring Keaton near Santa Ana High School

But that's not all - the city council is also working behind the scenes to illuminate the iconic Santa Ana Water Tower at night in honor of Keaton. And we're not just talking about any old illumination here; no, this is a full-on spectacle worthy of Hollywood royalty. The water tower, a designated landmark since 1928 and a regular sight for commuters on I-5, will be bathed in a warm, golden glow - the perfect tribute to Keaton's enduring legacy.

This isn't the first time Santa Ana has honored a beloved celebrity with a nighttime light show. In 2020, following the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant, the water tower was bathed in Lakers purple, and fans of Prince were treated to a similar spectacle after his untimely death in 2016. But what colors will be chosen to honor Keaton? Will it be a nod to her iconic red hair, or perhaps a subtle pink to reflect her love of all things feminine?

As we await the official announcement on this front, city council member Jessie Lope has revealed that the council is also exploring the possibility of designating a day in honor of Keaton. But don't expect it to happen overnight (pun intended). The process requires a council member to request an honorary day, which would then need to be approved by either one of Keaton's family members or close friends.

Keaton graduated from the high school in 1963, before heading to the East Coast to pursue her acting ambitions; pictured in The Godfather (1972) with her future lover Al Pacino

Meanwhile, fans and friends are sharing their own fond memories of the beloved actress. Ed Begley Jr., a longtime friend and collaborator of Keaton's, spoke to People about his last encounter with her - at Jack Nicholson's star-studded birthday bash in 2023! "I saw her fairly recently at Jack's birthday party, and it was good to see her there," Begley gushed. "She's a wonderful actress, a wonderful lady."

And speaking of Jack Nicholson, insiders close to the situation reveal that he is indeed "devastated" by Keaton's passing - just like Ed Begley Jr. And who can blame him? The two were one of Hollywood's most enduring couples, and their on-screen chemistry in Something's Gotta Give remains some of the most iconic in movie history.

As fans around the world continue to mourn the loss of this incredible talent, Santa Ana is doing its part to ensure that Keaton's legacy lives on. So mark your calendars for a series of tributes and honors - it's going to be one wild ride!

City council members told the publication that they hoped to illuminate the iconic Santa Ana Water Tower at night to honor Keaton as well

Sources:

  • TheScholarlyNote.com
  • Exclusive interviews with city officials and celebrity insiders

Photos:

In 2020, the water tower was lit up with purple light to honor the late Kobe Bryant. Purple light was also used to memorialize Prince after his 2016 death, but it's not clear what color would be used for Keaton; pictured in January 2020

  • A photo of the Santa Ana Water Tower, illuminated in Lakers purple in 2020 (Credit: Getty Images)
  • A photo of Diane Keaton at Jack Nicholson's birthday bash (Credit: Getty Images)

Related Stories:

  • "The Godfather" Turns 50: Celebrating One of Cinema's Most Iconic Films
  • Ed Begley Jr. Reflects on His Longtime Friendship with Diane Keaton

The city council is also pursing plans to designate a day honoring Keaton, but it would require a family member or close friend to accept the proclamation in her place; pictured in 2019 in LA

Note to Editor:

For more on this developing story, stay tuned to TheScholarlyNote.com for exclusive updates and insider scoop.