Reese Witherspoon is remembering her late mentor Diane Keaton following her death.

During her company Hello Sunshine's Shine Away event in Los Angeles on Saturday (October 11), the Morning Show star got emotional as she spoke about her relationship with the First Wives Club actress, who she first met as a teenager during one of her earliest auditions when she "didn't know anybody," per Page Six.

"Diane was really important, she was one of my first mentors in this business," she said.

Witherspoon recalled how the "incredible" Keaton cast her in 1991's Wildflower when she was 15 years old and the way the late actress was amazed by Witherspoon's "big country accent."

"She goes, 'Who are you?'" she said. "And I said, 'I'm Reese Witherspoon and I'm from Nashville, Tennessee.' And she said, 'Are you making that up? That accent you're doing?' And I said, 'No, ma'am. I'm from Nashville, Tennessee, and I'm here and I'd love to be in your movie.' And she was like, 'Well, you're hired. You're hired today, tomorrow, and the next day. I don't know who you are, but I am so excited to have you.'"

The Legally Blonde actress also shared how people can honor the late star after her passing.

"So for Diane, watch one of her movies and wear a really cool, interesting outfit, black and white," she said. "Take a cool picture and just live your dream. Just be your unique, interesting self, I think Diane would be really happy."

Witherspoon shared video on Instagram of her comments and continued to honor Keaton in her caption, sharing that the actress helped pave a new way for women to be portrayed in film and TV.

"Diane Keaton changed the way we all saw women on screen — smart, funny, stylish, and completely original," she wrote. "I'm so grateful to have had her as a mentor. 🤍"

People confirmed on Saturday that Keaton had passed away at the age of 79. The Annie Hall actress is survived by daughter Dexter and son Duke.

Podcasts