Keanu Reeves Has Done a ‘World of Good’ as He Approaches 60

Keanu Reeves acquired a little bit emotional throughout a latest interview when The Late Present host Stephen Colbert introduced up The Matrix, which is celebrating its twenty fifth anniversary this 12 months. After a protracted pause, the actor assured that the film had modified his life, then acknowledged its affect on film followers. “The quantity of folks that I’ve met who’ve mentioned to me and been touched by The Matrix in such a constructive approach,” he mentioned. “It’s one of the best.”

One in every of Hollywood’s most beloved stars, Keanu has been in a reflective temper of late. With seven tasks within the pipeline, the actor, who turns 60 September 2, isn’t slowing down, however that looming birthday has him feeling philosophical. “I’m 59, so I’m thinking about death on a regular basis,” he informed BBC information, including that he felt that was a very good factor. “Hopefully, it’s not crippling, however hopefully it’s sensitized [us] to an appreciation of the breath now we have, and the relationships that now we have the potential to have.”

Keanu Reeves Overcame a Tragic Previous

It’s a hard-won sentiment. The person behind the “Unhappy Keanu” meme has really needed to overcome tragedy in his life. Raised by single mother Patricia Taylor, who moved round and ultimately settled in Canada, he was estranged from his father, Samuel Reeves, who died in 2018. Paul Aaron, a theater and film director his mother was briefly wed to inspired him to get a gofer job on a film set. Keanu was drawn to performing and made his debut on a Canadian TV collection in 1984.

After a transfer to Los Angeles, the younger actor confronted a collection of losses, together with the dying of his buddy River Phoenix in 1993. Then, in his mid-30s, Keanu and his girlfriend on the time, Jennifer Syme, suffered an insufferable loss when she gave start eight months into her being pregnant and the couple’s baby was stillborn. Tragically, Jennifer was killed in an auto accident in 2001. Keanu, who performs bass within the band Dogstar and has printed books of poetry, has mentioned his 2016 e-book of verse, Shadows, was his approach of processing his grief. “Even [to] be impressed by it,” he later mentioned, including that he didn’t need “to be trapped inside it … [The book] simply put issues in a brand new form that I may carry.”

Recognized for his extraordinary generosity on set — the bike fanatic famously gave every of the Matrix stuntmen Harley Davidsons — the actor additionally spent a decade caring for his sister, Kim, after she was recognized with leukemia. (She’s at the moment in remission.) His kindness stands out in Hollywood. “It’s about doing the fitting factor,” an insider completely tells Nearer. “He’s finished a world of excellent for lots of people.” However he pooh-poohs his status for selflessness. “I really like proudly owning issues, I really like having stuff,” he just lately insisted. “I’m definitely not going to current myself as somebody who provides all the things away.”

Keanu Reeves Discovered Love With Alexandra Grant

For the previous 5 years, Keanu has been fortunately courting artist Alexandra Grant. The pair have been associates and creative collaborators — they labored collectively on the 2011 e-book Ode to Happiness and cofounded a publishing firm in 2017 — earlier than issues turned romantic. “Keanu has discovered a soulmate in Alexandra,” says the insider. “She brings a chilled stability to his life that wasn’t there earlier than. He’s content material on this relationship.”

The admiration goes each methods. In a uncommon 2023 interview, the 51-year-old opened up about their connection, gushing that Keanu — who’s simply launched his first novel, The Guide of Elsewhere — is “such an inspiration” to her, including, “He’s so artistic, he’s so form. He works so onerous.” And, after a lifetime of loss and success, he appears to have discovered a deep sense of peace. “He’s a delicate and candy soul,” says the insider. “Keanu could also be some of the bankable stars in Hollywood, but it surely hasn’t modified who he’s. There’s nothing false about him.”