10 lesser-known facts about Keanu Reeves as he turns 60: From stage name to immortality conspiracy theory

Discover 10 fascinating facts about Keanu Reeves as he turns 60

Keanu Reeves has been a prominent figure in Hollywood since the mid-1980s, evolving from his early dramatic roles in films such as 'River's Edge' (1986) to starring in action blockbusters like 'Speed' (1994), 'The Matrix' (1999), and 'John Wick' (2014). He also left an unforgettable mark as Theodore Ted Logan in the 'Bill & Ted' franchise. As the actor celebrates his 60th birthday, fans around the world are honoring his incredible career and enduring charisma. While we know him for his iconic roles in several films, many intriguing aspects of his life and career remain less known. So, let's delve into some lesser-known facts about Keanu Reeves from his personal interests to his surprising achievements that might leave you in awe.

1. Keanu Reeves is not an American citizen

Unlike many other Hollywood icons, Keanu Reeves is not an American citizen. Born on September 2, 1964, in Beirut, Lebanon, Reeves spent his childhood moving from Sydney, Australia, to New York City, and finally to Toronto, Canada, after his mother remarried. The 'John Wick' actor, who's of Chinese, English, Irish, Native Hawaiian, and Portuguese descent, remains only a Canadian citizen despite living in the United States for almost three decades.

2. Keanu Reeves played ice hockey in his youth

Before he became an actor, Keanu Reeves was passionate about ice hockey. Growing up in Toronto, he played throughout his school years and even co-coached a hockey club. At one point, he was offered a tryout with the Windsor Spitfires, a team in the Ontario Hockey League, but he turned it down to pursue a career in acting. His love for the sport did make it onto the screen when he portrayed a hockey pro in the 1986 film 'Youngblood' alongside Patrick Swayze and Rob Lowe.

3. Keanu Reeves had rock legend Alice Cooper as a guest at his home during his childhood

Keanu Reeves had a unique childhood, partly due to his mother, Patricia Taylor, a costume designer. Her connection to the arts brought some famous figures into his life, including rock legend Alice Cooper. Reeves once recalled that the 'Poison' crooner would often visit their home and on one occasion brought along some fake vomit and dog poo to prank the housekeeper. For a young Reeves, this was just another day with a "regular dude."

4. Keanu Reeves came close to naming himself Chuck Spadina

When Keanu Reeves first moved to Los Angeles in the 1980s, his uncommon first name made it difficult for him to get casting calls. To make himself more approachable to casting agents, he considered adopting stage names like "Chuck Spadina," "KC Reeves," and "Page Templeton III." However, Reeves quickly abandoned the idea after realizing he couldn't stick to the new names and kept introducing himself as Keanu.

5. Keanu Reeves and his band Dogstar were booed off stage at Milwaukee Metal Fest

In the 1990s, Keanu Reeves began pursuing a musical career with his band, Dogstar, known for its "folk thrash" music. When the band, which was formed in 1991, performed at Metal Fest in Milwaukee in 1992, the crowd wasn't impressed. Fans of bigger heavy metal music acts booed them, threw beer, and told them to leave the stage. The actor once recalled, "I think we played close to Murphy's Law. Imagine. So we played a Grateful Dead cover ... We were like, 'They hate us. What are we doing here? What can we do? Let's do the Grateful Dead cover.' They were just like, 'F*** you, you suck.' I had the biggest grin on my face, man."

6. Keanu Reeves is a published poet

In addition to his acting and musical endeavors, Keanu Reeves is also a published poet. In 2011, he teamed up with visual artist and now-girlfriend Alexandra Grant to create 'Ode to Happiness', a limited-edition book that featured his poem alongside her illustrations. The self-aware and playful poem was likened to a "grown-up children's book." The duo later collaborated on 'Shadows' in 2016 and even launched their own publishing imprint, X Artists’ Books, focusing on visually striking titles sold through art stores and online subscriptions. What started as a creative collaboration soon blossomed into romance. Here's a tiny anecdote behind 'Ode to Happiness': "The book was made as a surprise, by me, for Keanu, as a private gift," Grant told British Vogue in March 2020. "All our friends sitting in the room got the giggles when I gave it to him— they said, 'Please publish it!' So that's how we got into publishing."

7. Keanu Reeves has never been nominated for an Oscar

Although Keanu Reeves has collaborated with renowned directors like Francis Ford Coppola and Bernardo Bertolucci, he has never received an Oscar nomination. Despite the critical acclaim for his performance in 'My Own Private Idaho', he did not receive a nod for best supporting actor. This is surprising to many fans and industry insiders, who view Reeves as one of the most talented actors of his generation.

8. Keanu Reeves was honored with a film festival dedicated solely to him

In a celebration of Keanu Reeves' cinematic brilliance, in 2019, Scotland hosted KeanuCon, a film festival dedicated entirely to the versatile actor. KeanuCon featured a ten-and-a-half-hour film marathon, spanning an impressive array of Reeves' 64-film career. Organized by Matchbox Cineclub, an independent exhibitor known for their quirky festivals like Cage-a-rama, KeanuCon aimed to celebrate Reeves' cinematic journey from his earliest roles to his most iconic performances. KeanuCon co-founder Megan Mitchell told the movie magazine Little White Lies the reason for honoring the actor with a film fest: "Keanu inspires so much love, particularly from women, which, for me, is important. The interest and passion that fans of Keanu have seems not just ‘thirst’ orientated, although there’s no denying Keanu’s hot, but from an ability to relate to his honest emotional vulnerability."

9. Keanu Reeves' ageless appearance fuels conspiracy theories about immortality

The conspiracy theory that Keanu Reeves is immortal is based on his ageless appearance and uncanny resemblance to historical figures like 19th-century actor Paul Mounet. According to the website keanuisimmortal.com, he has allegedly lived under various identities throughout history, including Mounet. Reeves himself has addressed this conspiracy theory in interviews, always with a sense of humor. When asked about his supposed immortality, he typically laughs it off, sometimes even playing along by saying, "We're all stardust, baby!" 

10. Keanu Reeves' net worth as of 2024

As of 2024, Keanu Reeves has an estimated net worth of $380 million. Known for his significant contributions to Hollywood as an actor, musician, and singer, Reeves has amassed considerable wealth throughout his career, which spans several decades and includes some of the most iconic roles in film history. His wealth primarily includes major earnings from franchises like 'The Matrix' and 'John Wick'. Beyond acting, Reeves has profited from backend deals and royalties, particularly from 'The Matrix' series. He has also invested in various ventures, such as his motorcycle company, Arch Motorcycle. The actor's philanthropic efforts, however, showcase that he is as generous as he is successful.