12 Facts About the Life of Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves is known for his dedication, and in The Matrix trilogy he performed many of his own stunts. He trained for months in martial arts including kung fu to make the iconic fight scenes and acrobatics convincing, contributing hugely to the authentic action.

The name Keanu means 'cool breeze over the mountains' in Hawaiian. His father, of Hawaiian descent, gave him the name, and it perfectly fits his relaxed, calm presence in the hectic world of Hollywood.

Keanu Reeves is a motorcycle enthusiast and even co-founded his own motorcycle company, Arch Motorcycle Company. He has been riding since his early twenties and has built up an impressive collection of bikes.

Despite his success and wealth, Keanu Reeves is famous for his modest lifestyle and quiet philanthropy. He has reportedly donated millions to causes including cancer research without fanfare, and is said to have shared a large part of his Matrix earnings with the crew. One of Hollywood's most selfless celebrities.

In an age when celebrities constantly share their lives online, Keanu Reeves is notably absent from social platforms. He has no official Instagram, Twitter or Facebook and keeps his private life out of the spotlight, which only adds to his beloved, mysterious image.

Keanu's childhood was far from stable. He was born in Beirut, Lebanon, and lived in Australia and New York before settling in Toronto, Canada, as his mother moved around. This multicultural upbringing gave him a worldly outlook on life.

Keanu is also a musician. In the nineties he played bass in the alternative rock band Dogstar. The band never had huge success, but toured the US and Asia and played several festivals, and it reunited in recent years.

For the John Wick films, Keanu Reeves trained intensively in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo and weapons handling for months before filming, and performed much of the action himself. That level of dedication is one reason the films are so popular with action fans.

In 1988, Keanu Reeves had a serious motorcycle accident in which he crashed into a mountainside and ruptured his spleen. He has a large scar on his abdomen from it, yet motorcycling remains one of his greatest passions.

Before his acting career, Keanu considered a future in ice hockey. In high school he was a talented goalie, nicknamed 'The Wall'. He eventually chose acting, but hockey remains one of his favorite sports.

Although best known for action and sci-fi, Keanu Reeves has a background in theater. In 1995 he played the title role in Hamlet at the Manitoba Theatre Centre in Canada, and his performance was surprisingly well received.

Keanu Reeves has endured many tragedies. He lost his close friend River Phoenix in 1993, and later he and his then-girlfriend Jennifer Syme lost their daughter, who was stillborn; Syme died in a car accident not long after. Despite these blows, he is widely praised for his resilience and kindness.