Keanu Reeves Biography, Career, Net Worth, And Other Interesting Facts - Celebily (2024)

Keanu Reeves is a Canadian actor born on September 2, 1964. He’s known for his calm demeanor in many different kinds of movies, especially action ones. In 2020, The New York Times said he’s one of the best actors of the 21st century, and in 2022, Time magazine called him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Then, in 2024, Gold House recognized him as one of the 100 most impactful Asian Pacific leaders who’ve shaped American culture recently.

Reeves started his acting career on Canadian TV in 1984 with the show Hangin’ In, and then he moved onto the big screen in 1986 with Youngblood. He became famous for playing Ted in the funny sci-fi movie Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure in 1989, and he did two sequels. After that, he got praise for his role as a hustler in the serious movie My Own Private Idaho in 1991 and then solidified his status as an action star with movies like Point Break in 1991 and Speed in 1994.

Even though he had some movies that didn’t do well at the box office, Reeves got a lot of attention for his role in the scary movie The Devil’s Advocate in 1997. But his biggest role came in 1999 when he played Neo in The Matrix. He became the highest-paid actor ever for his role in the sequels, Reloaded and Revolutions. After that, he was in other big movies like Constantine in 2005, The Lake House in 2006, and John Wick in 2014.

Besides acting, Reeves also directed a movie called Man of Tai Chi in 2013. He’s into music too, playing bass guitar for the band Dogstar. He’s also worked on creating the BRZRKR franchise and does a lot of charity work.

Keanu Reeves’ Early Life and Education

Keanu Reeves was born in Beirut, Lebanon, on September 2, 1964. His mom, Patricia was into making costumes and performing. His dad, Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr. was American and had a mix of backgrounds: Native Hawaiian, Chinese, English, Irish, and Portuguese. Reeves’s grandma on his dad’s side was both Chinese and Hawaiian. His parents split up when he was three, and his dad wasn’t around much after that. They moved around a lot, first to Sydney, then to New York City, and later to Toronto. His mom remarried a couple of times, first to a director named Paul Aaron and then to a rock music promoter named Robert Miller.

Growing up, Keanu Reeves and his sisters spent a lot of time in Toronto. They had a nanny who looked after them while their mom worked. Because of his grandma’s Chinese heritage, Reeves was exposed to Chinese culture at home. He also got a taste of British humor and manners from his mom.

Reeves wasn’t the easiest kid to handle. He went to four different high schools, getting kicked out of one because he was too rowdy and mouthy. He struggled in school because he had dyslexia which made reading tough for him. Despite this, he was good at ice hockey and even thought about trying out for the Canadian Olympic team. But acting won out in the end. He left high school at 17 to focus on acting and eventually moved to Los Angeles with the help of his stepdad. Even though he’s lived in the US for a while, he still holds Canadian citizenship.

Career

1984–1990: Early work

In the early 1980s, Keanu Reeves started his career in the entertainment industry. He began by working as a reporter for a Canadian TV show for young people. Then, he took on small acting roles, including a part in a TV series called Hangin’ In.

In 1985, Reeves played Mercutio in a stage production of Romeo and Juliet. He also appeared in other stage plays and even did a commercial for Coca-Cola. Around this time, his agents suggested he change his name because they thought his real name sounded too different. For a short while, he went by “K. C.” or “Casey” Reeves before settling on Keanu.

Reeves started getting more acting gigs in TV movies in 1986. He appeared in films like Babes in Toyland and Brotherhood of Justice. That same year he made his big-screen debut in a movie called Youngblood, where he played a goalie. He also starred in River’s Edge, a movie about teenagers dealing with a murder case.

In the late 1980s, Keanu Reeves appeared in several movies aimed at teenagers. These included The Night Before, The Prince of Pennsylvania, and Permanent Record. He also had a small role in Dangerous Liaisons, a movie that got a lot of attention at the Oscars.

One of Reeves’ most famous roles from this time was in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, where he played a laid-back guy who time travels with his friend. The movie did well with audiences and critics alike.

In 1989, Reeves starred in Parenthood, a movie directed by Ron Howard. It was praised for its ensemble cast and feel-good vibe. The following year, Reeves appeared in two more films: I Love You to Death, a dark comedy, and Tune in Tomorrow, a comedy where he played a radio station employee. He also appeared in Paula Abdul’s music video for Rush Rush, taking on a role inspired by James Dean.

1991–1994: Breakthrough with adult roles

In 1991, Keanu Reeves starred in a movie called Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, which was a sequel to Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. A critic from the Los Angeles Times said this sequel was even better than the first, praising Keanu and his co-star for their great acting. Another critic, Roger Ebert, thought it was a crazy and funny movie that was creative.

Later that year, Keanu took on more grown-up roles. One of these was in a movie called My Own Private Idaho, where he played a hustler alongside River Phoenix. This film was well-received and got positive reviews. Another movie he did that year was Point Break, where he played an FBI agent investigating some bank robbers who surf. Keanu had to learn how to surf for this role, and the movie did pretty well at the box office.

Around this time, Keanu also started a music career with a band called Dogstar. And in 1992, he played a role in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, a horror movie directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Despite some criticism for his accent, the movie was a big hit.

In 1993, Keanu Reeves was in a movie adaptation of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, which got good reviews, though he got nominated for a not-so-great award for another role he played that year. He also starred in two drama movies that didn’t do so well with critics.

One of Keanu’s most famous movies came out in 1994 called Speed. In this movie, he played a cop trying to stop a bomb on a bus. It was a big hit and earned him a lot of praise for his acting. It even won some Academy Awards.

1995–1998: Continued acting efforts

Keanu Reeves starred in a bunch of movies back in the 90s. One of them was Johnny Mnemonic, a sci-fi action flick from 1995. In it, he’s a guy with a computer chip in his head who has to deliver some important data before he kicks the bucket or gets off by some bad guys. Critics didn’t dig it much, saying Reeves wasn’t the right fit for the role. But some folks, like Roger Ebert, found it so over-the-top silly that it was almost entertaining.

Then there’s A Walk in the Clouds, also from ’95. Reeves plays a soldier who comes back from World War II and tries to make things work with a woman he married in a hurry before he left. Reviews were mixed, with some saying it was beautifully made and acted, while others thought it was too cheesy.

Reeves took a break from movies for a bit to do some theater. He played Hamlet in a production in Canada, and some critics thought he nailed it, saying he captured the character’s emotions and intensity.

After that, Keanu Reeves did more sci-fi stuff, like Chain Reaction in ’96, where he’s a scientist on the run after being framed for murder. Critics weren’t impressed, calling it formulaic. His next few movies didn’t fare much better, like Feeling Minnesota and turning down a big role in Speed 2: Cruise Control. But he did okay in The Devil’s Advocate in ’97, where he’s a lawyer who finds out his boss is the devil. Critics liked it, saying Reeves did a solid job, even if he lacked some depth at times.

1999–2004: Stardom withThe Matrixfranchise and comedies

In 1999, Keanu Reeves starred in a famous sci-fi movie called The Matrix. He played a character named Thomas Anderson, also known as Neo, who finds out that humanity is stuck in a fake world created by smart machines. To get ready for the film, Reeves read books about how machines work and why humans do what they do. He and the other actors practiced martial arts for months to do the fight scenes.

The Matrix was a big hit, making lots of money and getting awards. Some critics said it was one of the best sci-fi movies ever. They liked how it was so imaginative, even though they thought the talking parts could be better.

After The Matrix, Keanu Reeves decided to do different kinds of movies. He did a funny sports movie called The Replacements in 2000. He took less money so another actor could join the movie. Then he did a thriller called The Watcher, even though he didn’t want to. He said someone tricked him into it. The Watcher didn’t do well with critics.

In the same year, Reeves was in another thriller called The Gift, directed by Sam Raimi. It was about a woman who could feel things before they happened, and she tried to find a missing girl. The movie made some money, and one critic said Reeves did a good job acting, even though sometimes it felt like he was just saying his lines.

In 2001, Keanu Reeves kept trying new things in movies. He did a love story called Sweet November with Charlize Theron, but people didn’t like it much. Then he tried a sports comedy called Hardball, but critics thought it wasn’t very deep, and they didn’t like Reeves’s acting in it.

By 2002, Reeves’s band, Dogstar, had stopped playing. He tried another band for a bit but decided music wasn’t for him. In 2003, Reeves went back to The Matrix with two more movies: The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. They were filmed at the same time and had cool effects, but not everyone liked them as much as the first one. Some critics thought the story wasn’t as good, but they still made lots of money.

The third Matrix movie got mixed reviews, with some people saying it focused too much on special effects. Reeves also did a romantic comedy that year called Something’s Gotta Give, which most people liked.

2005–2013: Thrillers, documentaries and directorial debut

In 2005, Keanu Reeves starred in Constantine, a movie where he played a guy who can see and talk to creatures that are half-angel and half-demon. It did pretty well in theaters, making $230 million worldwide, even though some people liked it and some didn’t. Another movie he did that year was Thumbsucker, a comedy about a kid with a thumb-sucking habit. Critics liked it, saying it had great acting and a touching story.

The following year, Reeves was in A Scanner Darkly an animated sci-fi movie where he played an undercover agent in a future world. Even though it didn’t make a lot of money, critics thought it was visually stunning. Then he starred in The Lake House a romantic drama with Sandra Bullock. It made money, but critics didn’t think much of it, calling it silly.

In 2008, Keanu Reeves did Street Kings a crime thriller where he played a cop trying to clear his name. It did okay at the box office, but reviewers weren’t too excited about it. The same year, he was in The Day the Earth Stood Still a remake of an old sci-fi movie. Critics didn’t like it much especially the heavy use of special effects.

In 2009, Reeves was in The Private Lives of Pippa Lee a romantic comedy that got decent reviews. The next year, he did Henry’s Crime another romantic comedy, but it didn’t do well. In 2011, he wrote a picture book called Ode to Happiness. He also co-produced and appeared in a documentary called Side by Side.

In 2012, Reeves starred in Generation Um… a drama that critics didn’t like. The following year, he directed his first movie, Man of Tai Chi a martial arts film set in China. It got some praise for its fight scenes but didn’t make much money. He also starred in 47 Ronin a fantasy film that was a flop at the box office and got bad reviews.

2014–2023: Resurgence withJohn Wick

After a string of movies that didn’t do so well, Keanu Reeves bounced back in 2014. He starred in a movie called John Wick where he played a retired hitman out for revenge. He got into the role and helped shape the story. They filmed it in New York City and it came out in October. Critics loved the intense action and Reeves’ effortless performance. It was a hit, making $86 million worldwide.

Next, in 2015, Reeves starred in a creepy movie called Knock Knock and narrated two documentaries. He had a busy 2016 with five movie releases. Some were hits, like Keanu where he voiced a kitten, and some didn’t do so well, like Exposed. In 2017, he returned for the sequel to John Wick which was even more successful than the first.

Reeves also took on different roles, like playing a doctor in the drama To the Bone. In 2018, he teamed up with Winona Ryder again for a comedy called Destination Wedding. Then he starred in two thrillers, Siberia and Replicas, but they weren’t well received.

In 2019, Keanu Reeves was back as John Wick in the third installment, which did great at the box office. He also lent his voice to Toy Story 4 and was honored with a film festival in Scotland. He had a cameo in Always Be My Maybe and started work on a secret Netflix series.

Finally, after years of talk, the third Bill & Ted movie was released in 2020. Critics had mixed feelings but fans enjoyed seeing Reeves back in action. He also had a small role in The SpongeBob Movie and appeared in the video game Cyberpunk 2077.

In December 2021, Reeves returned to The Matrix franchise for the fourth film. Unfortunately, it didn’t do as well as expected. In 2023, he reprised his role as John Wick for the fourth installment and also returned to Cyberpunk 2077 for an expansion.

2023–present: Post-John Wick

Keanu Reeves, known for his roles in movies like The Matrix and John Wick, also co-wrote a comic book series called BRZRKR. It was split into three parts and wrapped up in October 2023. The first issue was a hit, selling over 615,000 copies.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Reeves’ band Dogstar got back together and made a new album called “Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees,” released in 2023. They performed live for the first time in 20 years at a music festival in Napa Valley, then went on a 25-date tour.

Reeves appeared on the TV show Ride with Norman Reedus and hosted a documentary series called Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story.

In 2024, Keanu Reeves announced he was co-writing a book called “The Book of Elsewhere” with author China Miéville, set to come out in July. He’s also involved in other projects like movies and voice acting, including a role in the Sonic the Hedgehog film series and a spin-off film from the John Wick series.

There’s also a film adaptation of BRZRKR in the works, with Reeves possibly directing. After that, there are plans for a two-season anime series based on the comic. There’s talk of another John Wick sequel but for now, the director wants to take a break from the franchise.

Business and philanthropy

Keanu Reeves is a big supporter of charities and causes. When his sister got sick with leukemia he started a special cancer foundation to help out. This foundation supports children’s hospitals and funds cancer research. He also helps out at events like Camp Rainbow Gold, a charity for kids with cancer in Idaho. He’s even been named one of the 100 most influential celebrities in oncology.

Despite being super successful, Reeves isn’t all about money. He once said, “Money is the last thing I think about. I could live on what I have already made for the next few centuries.” There’s a rumor going around that he gave away a huge chunk of money, somewhere between $35 to $125 million, from his earnings in The Matrix movies. But that’s not entirely true. He negotiated a deal where he took less money in exchange for more money being spent on special effects.

After working on John Wick: Chapter 4, Reeves along with his director Chad Stahelski and a jiu-jitsu instructor named Dave Camarillo, signed a special training uniform. This uniform was then auctioned off to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Keanu Reeves is also into business ventures. He started a production company called Company Films with his friend Stephen Hamel. He’s a big fan of motorcycles, so he co-founded a company that builds and sells custom bikes called ARCH Motorcycle Company. In 2017, he helped start a book publishing company called X Artists’ Books with Jessica Fleischmann and Alexandra Grant. He even wrote two books with Grant, called Ode to Happiness and Shadows, where he wrote the words to go along with her photos and art.

Personal life

Back in 1998, Keanu Reeves met Jennifer Syme who worked as an assistant to director David Lynch at a party for his band Dogstar. They hit it off and started dating. Sadly, on December 24, 1999, Syme gave birth prematurely, but their baby didn’t make it. They split up shortly after, but later got back together. Tragically, on April 2, 2001, Syme was in a car accident in Los Angeles and didn’t survive. Reeves was devastated. He even helped carry her casket and she was laid to rest next to their baby.

Reeves has been linked romantically to others too, like his longtime friend Brenda Davis and model-actress China Chow. He also met Alexandra Grant in 2009, and they’ve worked on a couple of books together. They made their relationship public in 2019.

Keanu Reeves keeps his spiritual beliefs private but has hinted at them in interviews. He believes in things like God, faith, and inner strength. Buddhism has influenced him, especially after he worked on a movie called Little Buddha. When asked about what he thinks happens after we die, he said, “I know that the ones who love us will miss us.”

In 2023, a substance deadly to fungi was named after Reeves, called Keanumycin, to honor his contributions.

In the media

Back in 2005, a Time magazine article by Lev Grossman dubbed Keanu Reeves as “Hollywood’s ultimate introvert.” He’s been described as a hard worker, charming, but painfully shy. The director of Constantine, Francis Lawrence praised Reeves as diligent and generous, while his co-star Shia LaBeouf admitted he didn’t know him well despite working together for over a year.

Since he was 16, Reeves has been represented by Erwin Stoff from 3 Arts Entertainment, who also manages many of his films. Stoff revealed that Reeves prefers keeping to himself and doesn’t get too close to others.

In 2010, Keanu Reeves became an unintentional internet sensation when photos of him looking sad on a park bench went viral, spawning the “Sad Keanu” meme. People even declared June 15 as “Cheer-up Keanu Day.” Reeves later explained he was just hungry and lost in thought while eating a sandwich.

Reeves’s down-to-earth nature and ability to connect with fans have earned him the title “Internet’s boyfriend.” His diverse movie roles and appeal to geek culture have contributed to his online popularity.

During the filming of Bill & Ted Face the Music Reeves encountered fans who displayed banners referencing memes from his appearance at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. He took the time to interact with them, showing his genuine appreciation for his fans.

Over the years, Keanu Reeves has achieved significant recognition in the entertainment industry. He made it to Forbes’ Celebrity 100 list in 2001 and 2002, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2005, and reportedly earned a hefty sum from The Matrix franchise. In 2020, The New York Times even ranked him as one of the greatest actors of the 21st century.

Awards

Keanu Reeves has been a big deal in movies since 1985. Some of his best and most successful movies, according to Rotten Tomatoes, are River’s Edge (1987), Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989), My Own Private Idaho (1991), Much Ado About Nothing (1993), Speed (1994), The Matrix (1999), John Wick (2014), John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017), John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019), and Toy Story 4 (2019). He’s won four MTV Movie Awards and was nominated for Best Actor at the Saturn Awards twice. Plus, he was up for two People’s Choice Awards for his role in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019).

In September 2021, Tae Kwon Do Life Magazine ranked Reeves as the number one martial arts movie star globally. They based this on his many martial arts movies, how much people like them, and how much money they make at the box office.

Net Worth

Keanu Reeves Net Worth is estimated to be $85 Million as of 2024, according to Celebrity Net Worth.