Even though the Critics Choice Awards 2026 didn’t have an in memoriam segment, Chelsea Handler still paid tribute to the late Diane Keaton by rocking one of the iconic actress’ signature looks.
For one of her looks as the host of Sunday’s show, Handler wore a fitted black tuxedo with a crisp white shirt underneath and a black tie.
She told the audience it was in honor of Keaton, who was known for wearing tailored suits throughout her career.
“This little outfit is my nod to Diane Keaton, another person I think we should be remembering tonight,” Handler said.
She added that the “Annie Hall” star was “somebody who made a big contribution to all of us and all the people in the room here.”
During the show, Handler also paid tribute to Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, following their tragic murders in December.
“Rob and Michele were tireless in their efforts to so many important causes, all stemming from one basic idea — decency,” she said during her opening monologue. “That we should all look out for each other, and I think we can all agree that we all need more of that.”
Keaton died from pneumonia in October at 79 years old.
A friend told People at the time that Keaton’s health rapidly declined “very suddenly” and unexpectedly in the months leading up to her death.
Shortly after her death, her trainer took to Instagram to lovingly share that Keaton rocked her signature menswear style even while working out.
“Everyone was very much aware that she was in the room. Of course because of who she was,” he recalled. “But also for the fact that she did the class in her hat, sunglasses, pinstriped outfit, and was an absolute riot the entire time.”
Last month, her “First Wives Club” co-star Goldie Hawn broke down in tears while honoring her at the Women in Entertainment Gala.
“She just brought so much joy, so much life, so much exuberance,” Hawn said onstage. “She was like lightning in a bottle.”
“There wasn’t anything she couldn’t do,” she continued. “There wasn’t any world that she couldn’t live in. She was just an extraordinary human being.”
Keaton’s good friend Sarah Paulson also teared up while speaking about her at the “All’s Fair” Los Angeles premiere in December.
“But all I can say … which is important to me to communicate [is that] what you thought she was as a performer, she was even more spectacular as a human being,” she told Access Hollywood.
