In an industry defined by big egos, Keanu Reeves stands out as a beacon of authenticity, combining his legendary cinematic career with his humble character for over 60 years. The Canadian actor, once referred to as one of the “nicest actors in Hollywood,” has solidified his role as one of the most renowned stars of his generation through his roles in legendary action movies and his philanthropic work.
After finding his footing in acting through several early projects, Reeves had his breakthrough in 1989 as Ted in “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.” Reeves and Alex Winter, who plays Bill, pose as slackers in a band who travel through time to meet historical figures for their school project and spread their love of music. The lighthearted film grossed over $40 million worldwide, in part due to Reeves’ hilariously charming persona. “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” has since seen two sequels.
Reeves’ first step into the sphere of action occurred in the 1994 film “Speed” with Sandra Bullock, where he plays Jack Traven, a police officer on a bus full of hostages set to explode if it goes below a certain speed. The thriller became an iconic film; the stars reunited for the film’s 30th anniversary Oct. 8.
My personal favorite of his films is “The Matrix” (1999), the job where Reeves officially became an icon in the world of action movies. Reeves played the lead, Neo, a computer hacker who uncovers reality to be an illusion in this dystopian world and joins the fight to free humanity. Reeves himself has remarked in interview appearances that this movie changed his life, becoming a box office hit and bringing well-deserved recognition to his acting. The success of the original film resulted in three sequels, two of which set Reeves as the highest-paid actor in a single production.
As for his other roles, Reeves also starred as John Wick in the eponymous action franchise — my dad’s favorite of Reeves’ movies. “John Wick” (2014) was the first installment of a four-part series that features Reeves as a retired hitman who seeks revenge on a crime lord for breaking into his home and killing his dog. The franchise has grossed over $1 billion and allowed Reeves to remain a beloved actor, with the most recent installment of the John Wick series coming out in 2023.
While Reeves may have the successful career that many could only dream of, his life has nevertheless been marked with tragedy — the BBC credits difficulty with making him into the complex and incredibly compelling actor that he is today. Reeves suffered a painful childhood, with his father leaving his family when he was just three years old, forcing his mother to raise his family alone. He lived in several different countries and attended four high schools before dropping out when he was just 17. In 1999, Reeves’ girlfriend Jennifer Syme was killed in a car crash shortly after giving birth to their stillborn daughter. Reeves also took care of his sister Kim Reeves during her ten-year battle with leukemia.
With so much misfortune in his life, Reeves has channeled his stardom to showcase compassion and selflessness. He has given monetary support to countless charities, such as Camp Rainbow Gold, an Idaho nonprofit serving children battling cancer and their families.
Reeves has also been a major advocate for cancer research following his sister’s diagnosis, giving 70% of his profit from “The Matrix” to charity for the cause. And Reeves has also become known for kindness to crews on his movies, giving $20,000 bonuses to his crew and buying Harley-Davidson motorcycles for his stunt team on “The Matrix Reloaded.” In 1997, paparazzi cameras famously captured Reeves sharing drinks and snacks with a homeless man in Los Angeles.
Throughout his career, Reeves has retained a sense of humility and generosity that makes him more than just a movie star. Along with his legendary work in films, his resilience is an inspiration for generations to come and his story reminds us of the importance of kindness.
