India, Oct. 13 -- Filmmaker Woody Allen has paid an emotional tribute to actor Diane Keaton, who died on October 11 in California, recalling their decades-long friendship, creative partnership, and her singular influence on his life and work.

In a piece written for The Free Press, Woody wrote, "It's grammatically wrong to say 'most unique,' but when talking about Diane Keaton, grammar doesn't apply. She was in a category by herself - luminous, funny, eccentric, and completely original."

Diane, who rose from a small role in Hair to an Academy Award-winning career that helped define modern American cinema, first met Woody during auditions for his 1969 play Play It Again, Sam.

Their working relationship soon became personal. Both shy by n...