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VIRAL EXCLUSIVE
Aug. 17, 2023
Keanu Reeves: A League of His Own
Apart from gaining recognition from his iconic roles in John Wick, The Matrix, etc., Keanu Reeves’ off-screen personality proves to be equally magnetic, with even his most mundane actions stirring up the Internet. What shapes Keanu Reeves’ unbeatable popularity? By: Theng Min Yee
Whilst watching any of the John Wick movies, it is almost impossible not be drawn in by the stoic and fearless assassin played by Keanu Reeves. The success of the franchise speaks for itself, with a cumulative box office grossing more than $1 billion. Despite being one of the biggest action stars of our generation, the 58-year-old actor lacks the smooth-tongued, gregarious energy that most would expect from a Hollywood mogul. Reeves is seemingly reticent and withdrawn, donning a shy, tight-lipped smile in interviews as he downplays his interviewer’s compliments towards him. In a 2005 article for Time magazine, Lev Grossman called Reeves, “Hollywood’s ultimate introvert.” That said, off-the-bat shots of the actor doing his own grocery shopping at the local mart, riding motorcycles, or even just enjoying a sandwich alone at a park bench, become hot topics of discussion on the internet. He has no doubt captured the public’s fascination, but what exactly spurs this Keanu Reeves fever?
Tragedy-Stricken
The Canadian actor and musician was born in Beirut, to an English mother and American father. When Reeves was 3, his father abandoned his wife and family. Reeves once described their history as, “Full of pain and woe.” Besides turmoil in his domestic home, Reeves struggled in school as a child due to his dyslexia. “Because I had trouble reading, I wasn’t a good student,” he confessed in a 2019 interview.
Reeves’ troubled childhood was only the beginning of a series of tragedies that would hit him. When he was 23, Reeves’ closest friend and co-star in My Own Private Idaho (1991), River Phoenix, died of a drug overdose. “He became very quiet, and it took him quite a while to work it out by himself and calm down,” the director of Speed (1994), Jan De Bont, remarked about the actor in an Entertainment interview.
Tragedy struck again in 1999 when the actor and his wife found out that their baby, Ava, was stillborn. Just 2 years later, Reeves’ wife, Jennifer Syme, met with a fatal accident whilst driving, which took her life at the young age of 29.
“Grief changes shape, but it never ends. People have a misconception that you can deal with it and say, “It's gone, and I'm better.” They're wrong. When the people you love are gone, you're alone," said the actor in 2006 when talking to Parade magazine.
Reeves’ co-star, Sandra Bullock, spoke about the former’s introverted personality in an interview about Speed (1994): “I would see him go off by himself, and there’s a hint of sadness in his eyes that makes you want to go, “What is it?” … But he keeps it to himself, and that makes you want to know even more about him.”
Like his cinematic counterpart John Wick, Reeves’ life is punctured by loss. Yet, in an exceptional way, his deeper understanding of grief seems to set him apart from the average person, as evident in his seemingly otherworldly and distant disposition that strays from the norms of Hollywood.
Enigmatic
In addition to his usual brooding, guarded countenance, the actor is famously private, possessing no forms of social media. His quiet demeanour, immaculate manners, and discreet personal life has shaped him into an enigmatic figure in the public’s eyes.
“Keanu is a really private person,” says Erwin Stoff, Reeves’ manager who has known the actor since he was 13. “He's sort of perfected for himself a way of keeping a distance from people.”
The air of mystery that surrounds Reeves seems to imbue his actions with a mystical grace, so much so that his fans have dedicated a Twitter account (@keanuthings) of photos of the brooding actor doing mundane, everyday acts; like stretching, wearing a hat, etc. A photo of the actor having a sandwich alone at a park bench went viral, where his seemingly introspective and subdued expression made him an Internet meme (“Sad Keanu”).
Down-to-Earth
Though appearing aloof as he guards his personal life from the media’s eye, the actor possesses a humble and affable personality.
The famed action-star waited patiently in the rain for 20 minutes to get into his own wrap party for Daughter of God (2016), blending into the crowd in order not to make a scene. Once inside, he found another guest’s credit card and wanted to return it.
When Reeves was a rising star, enjoying his success from Speed (1994) and Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989), he was found connecting with a homeless man on the street, sharing drinks, snacks, and stories with the man.
Despite having a net worth of $380 million, the actor puts on no airs, often spotted in plain, basic attire as he does quotidian, ordinary activities like a grocery-run, or taking the subway.
“Money is the last thing I think about. I could live on what I’ve already made for the next few centuries,” he told Chicago Tribune.
Tender-Hearted
Another big part of the actor’s charm is the kindness he displays to those around him, never missing an opportunity to perform a good deed.
From specially making a call to an 80-year-old fan, to making an appearance at a fan’s wedding, and even buying an ice-cream just to fulfil a teen fan’s wish, the movie star has no qualms when it comes to making someone’s day.
His caring personality was captured in a viral clip from 2011, where he seen offering his seat to a fellow passenger on the New York City subway.
Reeves’ various kind acts has earned him the title of, “The Internet’s boyfriend.” When asked about the Internet’s obsession with him, the actor replied, “I really appreciate the goodwill.”
In the flux of Hollywood, where stars rise and fall, Reeves seems to hold a space of his own. Beyond the spectacle of his blockbuster movies, Reeves’ quiet personality and genuine heart shines through. In a People interview, Reeves confessed earnestly: “I don’t know. I mean, I’m just an actor, I’m just a guy. I’m just trying to do the best I can. Hopefully people like what I do, you know?”
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