Keanu Reeves, who has experienced a personal renaissance in the past decade, has reconstructed his life with Alexandra Grant. Finally, the public treats him with the affection he deserves, and his career is flourishing, especially with the success of the John Wick franchise.
Yet, his noble yet enigmatic personality remains unaltered. He continues to be gentle with the press and audience, maintaining his humble and unassuming nature. He's not residing in a mansion, donates a significant portion of his income, and still uses public transportation. He has faced and survived the kind of tragedies that can shatter lives, but he doesn't consider his existence "too noble or sublime." He understands that "happiness is not a necessity for life" and simply acknowledges the presence of his ghosts.
Before 2020 disrupted everyone's plans, Keanu Reeves donned Neo's iconic jacket for the filming of Matrix 4, a nostalgic treat for fans of the science fiction series. However, his past was not without hardships, especially marked by loss and adversity: the passing of his dear friend, River Phoenix; his girlfriend, Jennifer Syme; and their expected baby girl, Ava. "When the people you love depart, you're left alone," the actor expressed. "Grief may change its form, but it never truly ends."
A Challenging Childhood
Keanu Reeves was born in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, into a complex family situation. His father, a heroin dealer, abandoned him when he was just two years old. When his father reappeared in his life while he was still a child, he subjected Keanu to mistreatment and humiliation in front of neighbors. At the age of 13, Keanu bid his father a final farewell, and his mother had to make tremendous efforts to support the family. This instilled a deep sense of gratitude and respect that he still carries for her. Their bond remains exceptionally close to this day.
The family moved constantly, changing cities, stepfathers, and schools, which fostered a sense of rootlessness and academic challenges. Keanu Reeves, who has Asperger's syndrome, still describes himself as "thinking short" or a "poorly oiled machine" despite his undeniable achievements. Two decades ago, a young Keanu Reeves declared to a renowned magazine, "I've led a nomadic life."
River Phoenix: A Profound Friendship
With his introverted and solitary disposition, Keanu Reeves met River Phoenix, the charismatic older brother of Joaquin Phoenix, in 1989. They established an intense and immediate friendship, which grew stronger. After sharing the screen in the film "I Love You Until I Kill You" (Lawrence Kasdan, 1990), they starred together in "My Own Private Idaho" (1991), an independent film by Gus Van Sant. In this film, both actors took a leap of faith that was richly rewarded. Reflecting on it, Keanu said in his memorable interview with River for GQ, "It was like being suspended a hundred meters above the ground and looking at a beautiful pool of water. We looked at each other and thought, 'Do you want to jump?' 'Yeah, let's jump.'"
Their profound connection turned the film into a cult classic and brought River significant recognition, despite his own turbulent and challenging background. River's parents were part of a sect, living on the brink of poverty, and acting was their sole source of income. While deeply sensitive, River battled his own demons and developed a drug addiction that ultimately claimed his life in 1993, at just 23 years old.
Both Keanu Reeves and Joaquin Phoenix went through extended periods of mourning and contemplated leaving the acting profession. Keanu holds River in high esteem and speaks with reverence whenever he's asked about his dear friend. "River experienced the world's suffering in a unique way. He wanted everyone to be as happy and free as he was," he stated in an interview with Cosmopolitan in 1994. "I truly enjoyed his company, his mind, his spirit, and his soul," he emphasized on another occasion.
