Diane Keaton, who passed away at 79, did more than just entertain; she educated. In one of her bravest real-life roles, she helped to unmask and destigmatize the secret world of eating disorders by speaking with unprecedented candor about her own severe battle with bulimia.
For years, eating disorders were misunderstood and shrouded in shame. Keaton shattered this silence by refusing to use gentle language. She called her illness what it felt like to her: an “addiction.” By stating, “I am an addict… I’ll always be an addict,” she framed bulimia not as a diet gone wrong, but as a serious, compulsive mental health condition.
She further unmasked the illness by sharing the shocking, visceral details. Her account of a 20,000-calorie binge was not for sensationalism; it was a necessary tool to convey the utter loss of control that characterizes the disease. This graphic honesty made the invisible struggle of millions suddenly, shockingly visible.
Her story also highlighted a common but often overlooked trigger: industry pressure. By linking the start of her bulimia to being told to lose weight for a role, she exposed the toxic environment that can foster such illnesses.
By eventually seeking therapy and speaking openly about her recovery, she provided a roadmap of hope. Her legacy is one of courage—the courage to unmask a deeply stigmatized illness and, in doing so, make it a little easier for others to seek the help they desperately need.
