Keanu Reeves Biography: Keanu Charles Reeves born September 2, 1964 is a Canadian actor and musician renowned for his work in film and his public persona. With a career spanning over four decades, he has earned widespread acclaim and recognition. In 2020, The New York Times ranked him as the fourth-greatest actor of the 21st century, and in 2022, Time magazine included him in its list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Known for his roles in action films, his down-to-earth nature, and his philanthropic contributions, Reeves has become an iconic figure in Hollywood.
Keanu Reeves Biography 2024
Keanu Charles Reeves, whose first name means “cool breeze over the mountains” in Hawaiian, was born on September 2, 1964, in Beirut, Lebanon. He is the son of Patricia Reeves, a showgirl and costume designer, and Samuel Nowlin Reeves, a geologist. Keanu’s father was born in Hawaii, with Native Hawaiian and Chinese ancestry, while his mother hails from Essex, England. After his parents’ marriage ended in divorce, Keanu moved with his mother and younger sister, Kim Reeves, first to New York City and then to Toronto.
Keanu’s mother remarried twice. Her first husband, Paul Aaron, a stage and film director, divorced her after a short period, and later, she married Robert Miller, a rock promoter, before divorcing him as well. Keanu never reconnected with his biological father. In high school, Keanu wasn’t particularly interested in academics but excelled in ice hockey, earning the nickname “The Wall” as the team’s goalie.
Keanu Reeves Biography 2024 Details
Born | Keanu Charles Reeves September 2, 1964 (age 60) Beirut, Lebanon |
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Citizenship | Canada |
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Occupations | - Actor
- musician
- writer
- director
- producer
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Years active | 1984–present |
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Partners | - Jennifer Syme (1998–2000, 2001; her death)
- Alexandra Grant (c. 2018–present)
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Children | 1 |
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Category | Singers Bio |
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Keanu Reeves Latest News
A serial killer thriller and Keanu Reeves might seem like an unusual combination, but it makes for a fascinating experience in The Watcher (2000). Despite the film’s mixed reception, which includes a Razzie Award nomination for Reeves, it’s a movie that, upon closer inspection, is better than its reputation suggests. Reeves himself has hinted that his reluctance to embrace the film might have more to do with how he was drawn into the project, rather than his actual performance.
Directed by Joe Charbanic and written by David Elliot and Clay Ayers, The Watcher follows Joel Campbell (played by James Spader), an FBI Special Agent who is haunted by guilt after failing to save a young girl from a serial killer named David Allen Griffin (Reeves), who eludes him. Consumed by the failure, Campbell quits his job and relocates to Chicago, where he battles severe migraines triggered by his guilt. He isolates himself emotionally, with only his therapy sessions with Dr. Polly Beilman (played by Marisa Tomei) serving as his connection to the outside world.
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About Keanu Reeves
Keanu Charles Reeves is a Canadian actor and musician. He is the recipient of numerous accolades in a career on screen spanning four decades. In 2020, The New York Times ranked him as the fourth-greatest actor of the 21st century, and in 2022 Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
- Born: 2 September 1964 (age 60 years), Beirut, Lebanon
- Upcoming movies: Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Ballerina, Good Fortune
- Height: 1.86 m
- Music group: Dogstar
- Parents: Patricia Taylor, Samuel Nowlin Reeves, Jr.
Early Life
Keanu Reeves was born in Beirut to Patricia (née Taylor), a costume designer and performer, and Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr., an American from Hawaii of Native Hawaiian, Chinese, English, and Portuguese descent. After his parents divorced in 1966, Reeves and his mother moved to Sydney and then to New York City before settling in Toronto. He attended several schools, including the Etobicoke School of the Arts, where he was expelled for being “too rambunctious.” Struggling with dyslexia, he didn’t excel academically, but found success as a talented ice hockey goalkeeper, with hopes of playing for Canada’s Olympic team before an injury ended his athletic career.
Reeves eventually decided to pursue acting at 15. He left high school at 17, after attending various institutions, including Avondale Secondary Alternative School, which allowed him to balance work and education. He later moved to Los Angeles at the age of 20 after obtaining a green card through his American stepfather. Despite his early struggles, Reeves remains a private individual and a beloved figure both on and off-screen.
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Did Keanu Reeves Donate His Matrix Earnings?
While rumors have circulated that Reeves donated millions of dollars from his earnings on The Matrix films, the actual story is a bit different. Rather than making large monetary donations, Reeves used his backend deal to help fund the production and ensure the crew’s continued employment. He invested some of his earnings into the film to ensure its success and support those who worked on it.
Keanu Reeves’ Earnings for John Wick Films
Reeves’ salary for the original John Wick (2014) was between $1 million and $2 million. His salary for John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) ranged from $2 million to $2.5 million, plus bonuses and ownership stakes. For John Wick 4 (2023), he reportedly earned around $15 million, though he may earn more depending on backend deals.
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Earnings for The Matrix Films
Reeves made $15 million upfront for the original Matrix (1999) and received a percentage of the film’s box office earnings. By the end of the trilogy, he had earned approximately $250 million from the Matrix series, averaging $83.3 million per film.
Keanu Reeves in The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run
While Reeves’ exact salary for his memorable role as a wise tumbleweed in The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020) isn’t publicly known, his involvement was a deliberate choice by the filmmakers. Director Tim Hill explained that Reeves’ personality was the inspiration for the character, and they even storyboarded with a drawing of him before officially casting him.
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Salary for Replicas (2018)
Reeves’ earnings from Replicas were not disclosed, but the film was a commercial failure, grossing just $9 million worldwide on a $30 million budget. Reeves, who also produced the film, explained that his role as a creative producer was about helping develop the script and characters rather than handling production logistics.
Earnings from Bill & Ted Face the Music
Reeves’ paycheck for Bill & Ted Face the Music is unknown, but it was significantly less than his usual rate. He made just $95,000 for the first Bill & Ted movie, which would be roughly $213,000 adjusted for inflation. Despite its modest budget and the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the film was still profitable and well-received, with audiences enjoying the nostalgic and uplifting story.
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The Matrix Resurrections
Reeves earned between $12 million and $14 million for The Matrix Resurrections (2021), plus back-end payments and bonuses. His decision to return to the iconic role of Neo was an easy one, as he was excited to work with the original filmmakers and felt the material was worth revisiting.
Earnings for John Wick 2 and John Wick 3
For John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017), Reeves earned between $2 million and $2.5 million, with additional ownership stakes in the film. His salary for John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum was reported to be around the same, but with the added bonus of back-end profits.
Keanu Reeves’ Role in Cyberpunk 2077
Reeves’ salary for voicing the character Johnny Silverhand in the video game Cyberpunk 2077 (2020) hasn’t been disclosed, but the game earned significant profits despite its glitchy release. CD Projekt Red, the company behind the game, reportedly made $500 million in profits.
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Keanu Reeves Legacy
Reeves continues to be one of Hollywood’s most beloved and humble stars. Known for his kind demeanor, his dedication to his craft, and his passion for projects like John Wick, The Matrix, and Bill & Ted, he has built a reputation as a true class act. His decision to prioritize the creative aspects of his roles and his generosity to those involved in his films only adds to his enduring legacy as one of the most down-to-earth and respected figures in the industry.
Keanu Reeves Net Worth in 2024
Keanu Reeves’ estimated net worth is $380 million, thanks to his long and varied career.
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Keanu Reeves Salary
Reeves’ salary per movie varies significantly depending on the project. For blockbuster films, he can earn up to $15 million upfront, but for other projects, such as indie films, he may earn around $1 million. However, Reeves has always prioritized creative fulfillment over paychecks. In an interview with The Chicago Tribune, he confessed that money is the last thing on his mind, saying, “I could live on what I’ve already made for the next few centuries.”