Keanu Reeves

Biography:

Keanu Reeves was born in Beirut, Lebanon, on September 2, 1964, to parents Patricia (formerly Taylor), who worked as a costume designer and performer, and Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr. His mother hails from Essex, England, while his father, an American of Native Hawaiian, Chinese, English, Irish, and Portuguese descent, originated from Hawaii. Reeves’s paternal grandmother has a heritage that includes Chinese and Hawaiian roots. When Reeves was three years old, his father left the family, and they last saw each other when Reeves was 13 on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.

Following his parents’ divorce in 1966, Reeves and his mother relocated first to Sydney, then to New York City, where his mother married Paul Aaron, a director, in 1970. The family later moved to Toronto, where Reeves became involved in theatre, participating in productions like Damn Yankees at the age of nine. Despite his family’s multiple moves and his parents’ subsequent divorces, Reeves maintained connections with his stepfather, Aaron, who offered him guidance and opportunities in the theatre world.

Reeves grew up mainly in Toronto’s Yorkville neighborhood under the care of a nanny while his mother pursued her career. His grandmother’s Chinese heritage influenced his upbringing, exposing him to Chinese culture, art, and cuisine. Reeves also absorbed English manners from his mother, influenced by her English background and the British comedy shows they watched together.

Although Reeves attended several high schools, including the Etobicoke School of the Arts, his academic journey was challenging due to dyslexia. Despite his struggles with reading and academics, Reeves excelled as an ice hockey goalkeeper at De La Salle College. However, at the age of 15, he decided to pursue acting instead of pursuing a career in hockey. Reeves later attended Avondale Secondary Alternative School, where he could balance his education with acting opportunities. Ultimately, he dropped out of high school at the age of 17, obtaining a green card through his American stepfather and moving to Los Angeles three years later. Despite living in the United States, Reeves retains Canadian citizenship.

In 1984, Reeves began his career as a correspondent for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) youth television program Going Great. That same year marked his acting debut in an episode of the television series Hangin’ In. In 1985, he took on the role of Mercutio in a stage production of Romeo and Juliet at the Leah Posluns Theatre in North York, Ontario. Reeves continued to make stage appearances, including in Brad Fraser’s Wolfboy in Toronto, and also appeared in a Coca-Cola commercial in 1983, as well as in the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) short film One Step Away.

Reeves later revealed that in the mid-1980s, his agents suggested he adopt a different name because they believed his first name sounded “too ethnic.” He briefly experimented with using his initials or the name “Casey” Reeves at auditions before ultimately returning to his given name, Keanu.

In 1986, Reeves ventured into television films, appearing in productions like NBC’s Babes in Toyland, Act of Vengeance, and Brotherhood of Justice. He made his big-screen debut in Peter Markle’s Youngblood (1986), playing a goalkeeper, and also appeared in the low-budget romantic drama Flying. He landed a significant role as Matt in River’s Edge, a crime drama loosely based on a real murder case, which premiered to critical acclaim at the 1986 Toronto International Film Festival.

Towards the end of the 1980s, Reeves starred in several teen-oriented dramas, including The Night Before (1988), The Prince of Pennsylvania (1988), and Permanent Record (1988). Despite mixed reviews for the latter, Reeves received praise for his performance. He also had a supporting role in the acclaimed Dangerous Liaisons (1988), which earned multiple Academy Award nominations. Additionally, Reeves gained recognition for his lead role in the cult classic Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989), where he portrayed a slacker traveling through time with a friend, receiving positive reviews and box office success.

In 1989, Reeves appeared in the comedy-drama Parenthood directed by Ron Howard, receiving positive feedback for his role. The following year, he showcased his versatility with roles in the black comedy I Love You to Death and the comedy Tune in Tomorrow. Reeves also featured in Paula Abdul’s music video for Rush Rush, playing a role inspired by Rebel Without a Cause.

In 1991, Reeves reprised his role alongside Alex Winter in Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, the sequel to Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. The film received praise from critics like Michael Wilmington of the Los Angeles Times, who lauded its imagination and the actors’ enhanced performances. Roger Ebert described it as a riot of visual invention and humor that worked effectively on its sub-moronic level. During the same year, Reeves transitioned into more adult roles, starring alongside River Phoenix in My Own Private Idaho, an adventure film where their characters undergo personal journeys. Directed by Gus Van Sant and loosely based on Shakespeare’s works, the film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival and received positive reviews for its unconventional storytelling. Reeves also starred in the action thriller Point Break (1991), directed by Kathryn Bigelow, where he played an undercover FBI agent investigating a group of bank robbers. The film was praised for its action sequences and commercial success, earning Reeves accolades for his performance.

In addition to his acting career, Reeves explored music by forming the alternative rock band Dogstar in 1991, where he played the bass guitar. He continued his film career by portraying Jonathan Harker in Francis Ford Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992), which was both a critical and commercial success. Although Reeves faced criticism for his English accent, the film received numerous awards and nominations. In 1993, he appeared in Much Ado About Nothing, receiving positive reviews despite some criticism of his performance. Reeves also starred in drama films like Even Cowgirls Get the Blues and Little Buddha, which had mixed-to-negative receptions. However, Reeves found inspiration in his role in Little Buddha, reflecting on the themes of aging, sickness, and death portrayed in the film.

Reeves’s breakthrough role came in the action thriller Speed (1994), where he portrayed police officer Jack Traven. The film, directed by Jan de Bont, received critical acclaim for its intense action sequences and Reeves’s charismatic performance. Despite personal challenges during production, including the death of his friend River Phoenix, Reeves delivered a compelling performance that contributed to the film’s success. Speed became a box office hit, grossing over $350 million worldwide and winning two Academy Awards for Best Sound Editing and Best Sound.

In 1999, Reeves starred in the highly acclaimed science fiction movie The Matrix, the inaugural installment in what later became The Matrix franchise. He portrayed computer programmer Thomas Anderson, also known as “Neo”, who uncovers that humanity is ensnared in a simulated reality crafted by intelligent machines. To prepare for the role, Reeves delved into works like Kevin Kelly’s Out of Control: The New Biology of Machines, Social Systems, and the Economic World, and explored Dylan Evans’s ideas on evolutionary psychology. The principal cast underwent rigorous training with martial arts choreographer Yuen Woo-ping to master the intricate fight sequences. The Matrix proved to be a commercial triumph, with many critics hailing it as one of the finest science fiction films ever made. Despite some critiques regarding the dialogue, Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times praised its visionary storytelling. Janet Maslin from The New York Times commended Reeves for his stylish portrayal of an action hero and lauded the film’s dynamic martial arts sequences. The Matrix received several Academy Awards, including Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing, Best Visual Effects, and Best Sound.

Following the success of The Matrix, Reeves opted for a departure from blockbuster fare, choosing instead to star in the light-hearted sports comedy The Replacements (2000). He even took a pay cut to accommodate Gene Hackman’s involvement in the film. Despite his reluctance, Reeves found himself starring in the thriller The Watcher (2000), playing a serial killer. He later explained that he felt compelled to appear in the film due to a forged contract. However, The Watcher was met with widespread critical disapproval upon its release. In the same year, Reeves had a supporting role in Sam Raimi’s thriller The Gift, alongside Cate Blanchett. While the film achieved moderate success at the box office, Reeves’s performance garnered mixed reviews, with some critics praising his portrayal.

In 2001, Reeves continued to diversify his portfolio with roles in various genres. He starred in the romantic drama Sweet November and the sports comedy Hardball. Sweet November, a remake of the 1968 film, received negative reviews overall, but Reeves was commended for his affable performance. Hardball, based on Daniel Coyle’s book, was noted for its attempt to tackle challenging themes, but Reeves’s portrayal was deemed lacking depth by some critics.

By 2002, Reeves had concluded his involvement in Dogstar, his musical endeavor. Despite disbanding, the band had released two albums over the course of a decade. Reeves briefly performed with the band Becky, founded by his Dogstar bandmate Rob Mailhouse, before ultimately departing in 2005 due to a waning interest in pursuing a serious music career. After a brief hiatus from the screen in 2002, Reeves reprised his role in The Matrix sequels, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, released in 2003. Shot back-to-back primarily in Australia, both films received mixed reviews, with praise for their visual effects but criticism for certain narrative elements. Despite mixed reception, The Matrix Reloaded grossed a substantial $739 million worldwide, while The Matrix Revolutions earned $427 million globally. Additionally, Reeves appeared in the romantic comedy Something’s Gotta Give (2003), rounding off the year with generally positive reviews for his performance.

Following a series of disappointing commercial ventures, Reeves experienced a career resurgence in 2014 with his role in the action thriller John Wick, directed by Chad Stahelski. Portraying the titular character, a retired hitman seeking retribution, Reeves collaborated closely with the screenwriter to shape the narrative. “We all recognized the potential of the project. I’m passionate about the role, but it’s crucial for the entire story and cast to come together,” Reeves remarked. Shot on location in the New York City area, the film premiered on October 24 in the United States. The Hollywood Reporter praised the director’s confident action sequences and Reeves’ effortless performance, marking his return to the action genre. Jeannette Catsoulis of The New York Times lauded Reeves’ adeptness in fight scenes, noting his inclination towards roles demanding coolness over emotional depth. John Wick proved to be a commercial hit, grossing $86 million worldwide. Reeves followed this success with a smaller-scale horror film, Knock Knock (2015), and two documentaries, Deep Web and Mifune: The Last Samurai, both of which he narrated.

In 2016, Reeves appeared in five film releases, starting with Exposed, a crime thriller that garnered negative reviews for its convoluted plot and limited facial expressions displayed by Reeves. He then voiced the titular kitten in the comedy Keanu, which received a warmer reception. Reeves had a minor role in The Neon Demon, playing a lascivious motel owner in a supporting capacity. He also portrayed a charismatic settlement leader in The Bad Batch and played a defense attorney in The Whole Truth, a courtroom drama that received mixed reviews. Additionally, Reeves appeared in the web television series Swedish Dicks.

The following year, Reeves reprised his role in John Wick: Chapter 2, which continued the story from the first film and proved to be both a critical and commercial success, grossing $171.5 million worldwide. His performance in the sequel garnered praise, with Empire magazine commending Reeves’ portrayal, reminiscent of his previous action roles. Alongside this high-profile project, Reeves starred in the drama To the Bone, where he portrayed a doctor aiding a young woman struggling with anorexia. The film premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival and was later distributed on Netflix. Reviews for To the Bone were generally positive, although some criticized its portrayal of anorexia as irresponsible. Additionally, Reeves made cameo appearances in A Happening of Monumental Proportions and SPF-18 that year.

Reeves co-wrote the comic book series BRZRKR, which was released in three volumes from March 2021 to October 2023. The debut issue sold over 615,000 copies, marking the highest-selling single issue since Star Wars #1 in 2015. The series received positive reviews, with average scores of 8.5/10 for Volume 1, 8.1/10 for Volume 2, and 7.6/10 for Volume 3 from critics on ComicbookRoundup. A film adaptation, produced by and starring Reeves, is in development for Netflix, with the possibility of Reeves directing. Following the film’s release, a two-season anime series is planned, with Reeves voicing the character ‘B’. Additionally, two one-shot spin-off comics, Poetry of Madness and Fallen Empire, both co-written by Reeves, were published by Boom! Studios in July and November 2023, respectively.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Reeves and his former bandmates from Dogstar reunited for jam sessions, eventually leading to recording sessions and the creation of a new album. The band announced their return in July 2022 and performed publicly for the first time in over 20 years at the BottleRock Napa Valley music festival in May 2023. Their third album, “Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees,” was released in October 2023, followed by a tour in North America and Japan. Reeves also appeared on the season 6 premiere of “Ride with Norman Reedus” and executive produced the documentary series “Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story.”

In January 2024, Reeves revealed he was co-authoring a book with China Miéville titled “The Book of Elsewhere,” set in the universe of BRZRKR, scheduled for release in July 2024. He is also set to appear in the upcoming film “Good Fortune,” directed by Aziz Ansari, alongside Seth Rogen. Additionally, Reeves has been cast in Jonah Hill’s directorial debut “Outcome” and the John Wick spin-off film “Ballerina.” While Lionsgate plans a fifth sequel to John Wick, director Chad Stahelski has expressed a desire to give the franchise a break for the time being.

Reeves is actively involved in supporting various charitable organizations and causes. In response to his sister’s leukemia battle, he established a private cancer foundation focused on aiding children’s hospitals and funding cancer research. He volunteered for Camp Rainbow Gold, a children’s cancer charity in Idaho, in June 2020. Reeves’ contributions to the fight against cancer earned him recognition as one of the 100 Influential Celebrities in Oncology by OncoDaily. Despite his substantial earnings, Reeves prioritizes philanthropy over personal wealth. Rumors circulated that he donated a significant portion of his earnings from The Matrix to special effects and makeup crews, although the actual arrangement involved negotiating a smaller deal in exchange for a larger budget for special effects.

Following the filming of John Wick: Chapter 4, Reeves, along with Chad Stahelski and Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor Dave Camarillo, auctioned an exclusive training uniform to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in March 2023.

Reeves co-founded Company Films with Stephen Hamel and ARCH Motorcycle Company with Gard Hollinger in 2011, reflecting his passion for filmmaking and motorcycles, respectively. Additionally, Reeves, Jessica Fleischmann, and Alexandra Grant established X Artists’ Books (XAB), a book publishing company, in 2017. Reeves has authored two books, “Ode to Happiness” and “Shadows,” in collaboration with Grant, providing text to accompany her photographs and artwork.