A Peek into the Life of Keanu Reeves
In four decades of acting, Keanu Reeves has deferred his own pay on several film productions. Even so, he’s amassed a net worth of over $380 million. This is probably one of the least interesting facts about him.
He leads a life that is both adventurous and philanthropic. Continue reading to learn about some of the twists and tragedies that have likely shaped who he is.
Keanu Reeves’ Family
Keanu was born in Beirut, Lebanon. His father abandoned them when he was only three years old so he was raised by his mother. She was a performer and costume designer. It gave Keanu a window into performing arts early in his life.
Eventually, in New York, his mother met and married (and later divorced) director Paul Aaron. They settled in Toronto and Keanu Reeves became a Canadian.
After getting expelled from high school, Keanu quit school entirely. He wanted to become a Hollywood actor. His former stepfather guided him into a job in a theater to get started.
Finally Landing in Hollywood
One of his first roles was in a Coca-Cola commercial. In a testament to his commitment to the role, he shaved his legs to be more believable as a cyclist.
In his early years in Hollywood, he used several other names. He thought he may not be getting callbacks because people weren’t sure how to pronounce his name. He’d usually divulge his real name when he arrived for auditions so he eventually stopped using easy aliases.
According to his IMDb profile, there are over 100 Keanu Reeves movies. He’s also listed as a director for 16 productions since 2010.
He’s gained box office fame from franchises such as The Matrix and John Wick. Some lesser-known roles have been voiceovers for animated movies and appearances in several television series.
Keanu’s Love and Heartbreak
Keanu Reeves has been quick to avoid questions about his relationship status over the years. This may be because he experienced several tragedies in a short time.
In 1993, his best friend and fellow actor, River Phoenix, died of a drug overdose. He was only 23 at the time of his death. Keanu struggled with his grief in the wake of that.
Five years later, he found happiness when he met Jennifer Syme. They fell in love and planned a life together.
Not long into their relationship, though, they suffered the heartbreak of a stillborn baby. Amid the stress and unavoidable sadness, they broke up.
A short 18 months later, Jennifer lost her life in a car accident. Keanu was devastated.
Now Keanu Reeves’ partner is Alexandra Grant. She’s a visual artist and also owns a publishing house. The mission of this Alexandra Grant art is to explore written word and translate it into other art forms.
Many appreciate her art but she gains a lot of attention for her philanthropy as well. This is something she and Keanu have in common. They’ve each launched charitable organizations to support important causes.
Keeping It All Together
When he talks about the series of unfortunate tragedies in his life, Keanu Reeves is honest about what it’s been like for him. He discusses the lasting impact of so much grief.
He doesn’t carry bitterness, though. Instead, he channels his pain into his work as an actor and as a philanthropist. He always hopes to make the world a better place.
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