Diane Keaton Once Filmed a Hollywood Comedy in Shreveport

As the world remembers legendary actress Diane Keaton, we can look back to 2007 when Keaton brought a little piece of Hollywood glamour to Shreveport while filming the crime-comedy Mad Money.

Locals Appeared in the Mad Money Movie

The movie featured several locals as extras. Most notably on that list is the late Richard Folmer, a prominent member of the local acting world. He played the IRS man. Former Mayor Keith Hightower was also featured in the movie during a party scene with Keaton. Former Caddo Commissioner Matthew Linn played a waiter in the movie. Jason Rent from the Mudbugs had a bit part. Even KEEL's own Mike Martindale had a bit role as a detective.

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This funny movie was filmed in a few spots around town and included several stars like Keaton, Queen Latifah, Katie Holmes and Ted Danson. During that time, Holmes was married to Tom Cruise and she brought baby Suri with her to town while filming.

South Highlands Home Used in Movie

Much of the movie was shot largely in a home in the South Highlands neighborhood on Ockley Drive overlooking Betty Virginia Park. The Ockley Drive mansion served as the upscale home of Keaton’s character, Bridget Cardigan. The historic property was once owned by A.C. Steere.

Shreveport as the “Federal Reserve”

Though Mad Money is set in Kansas City, almost all of it was shot in the Shreveport area. The Louisiana State Exhibit Museum was used to portray the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, with its neoclassical architecture standing in for the bank’s stately halls. Some of the studio work was done at Stageworks of Louisiana on the riverfront.
Downtown Shreveport also made several appearances on screen, including scenes filmed on McNeil Street, which doubled as the Kansas City Police Department.

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Celebrity Sightings and Quiet Southern Hospitality

During filming, Diane Keaton and her co-stars spent several weeks in Shreveport. Locals reported sightings of Keaton shopping and dining in the city, while Holmes and her daughter, Suri Cruise, drew heavy attention from paparazzi. Holmes later described filming in Shreveport as feeling like “a foreign country” — an experience that bonded the film’s stars during production.

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Despite the celebrity presence, much of the shoot went on quietly. But Shreveport police did have to step in to protect Holmes and her daughter from aggressive photographers during a shopping trip to Target on Youree Drive.