Fact Check: Did Keanu Reeves and Johnny Depp buy a country club after being denied entry?

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Social media is buzzing with a wild claim that Hollywood icons Keanu Reeves, known for 'The Matrix', and Johnny Depp, of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' fame, were denied entry to a country club–and in a bold move, they decided to buy it instead!

The story has sparked widespread curiosity, but does it hold up under scrutiny? As misinformation continues to spread rapidly online, verified sources offer a clearer picture of what happened.

Claim: Keanu Reeves and Johnny Depp’s denial of entry to a country club prompted them to buy it

In early June 2025, social media was abuzz with a story involving Hollywood stars Johnny Depp and Keanu Reeves. According to viral posts on Facebook, the actors were allegedly denied entry to an exclusive country club due to dress code violations, only to respond by buying the club outright. The claim quickly gained traction, accompanied by dramatic retellings, photos, and links to unreliable websites.

One such site claimed, "The club enforces a rigid dress code, collared shirts, non-denim attire, and standard soft-spike shoes—reflecting the old-world traditions of elite golfing culture."

It detailed the actors' dress code: "On that fateful afternoon, Depp, 62, and Reeves, 60, arrived for a casual round, dressed in their signature unconventional styles: Depp in a rumpled linen shirt and jeans, and Reeves in a hoodie and sneakers." 

The site added, "Club manager Richard Ellison, known for his no-nonsense approach, reportedly confronted the pair at the entrance, declaring their outfits unacceptable."

The tale grew even more dramatic! The site continued, "Eyewitnesses recount the exchange with a mix of amusement and disbelief. Ellison, according to a staff member, quipped, 'Maybe you two should stick to mini-golf—less dress code drama there.' The remark, intended as a jab, struck a nerve with Depp, who has faced public humiliation before, notably during his 2022 defamation trial with Amber Heard. "

They reported, "Reeves, ever the peacemaker, attempted to diffuse the situation, but Depp’s eyes narrowed as he retorted, “I’ve been kicked out of better places than this.” Turning to Reeves, he added, “What do you say, Keanu? Should we buy this place?” Reeves, with a mischievous grin, replied, “Why not?” What happened next defied all expectations."

Though these posts have since disappeared, according to Snopes, they had already racked up over 3,000 comments and shares before being removed.

False: The alleged claim involving Keanu Reeves and Johnny Depp lacks credibility

The viral claim that Keanu Reeves and Johnny Depp bought a country club after being denied entry is completely false. 

Adding to the evidence against the rumor, the circulating images of Reeves and Depp associated with the story were found to be generated using artificial intelligence tools.

Given the global popularity of both actors, such an incident would likely have been reported widely by credible news outlets—yet no such reports exist. 

Furthermore, if the claim had any truth to it, the posts wouldn’t have mysteriously disappeared from social media. Instead, they would have remained online and been supported by reputable sources.

The original claim appears to have originated from a Facebook account named Leonardo Universe, which is no longer visible on any platform, casting further doubt on the credibility of the story. 

Snopes also noted that the false narrative was likely crafted to attract clicks and generate ad revenue, rather than to report any factual event.