Tragic true story of Keanu Reeves’ tough life and why the world is embracing him

This was one of Herald Entertainment’s most read stories in 2019.

Keanu Reeves has been a Hollywood star for more than three decades, but his personal life has largely been a mystery — and tragedy

He’s one of the richest actors in Hollywood, having appeared in a string of the most famous films of all time.

Yet, the private life of Keanu Reeves is one of the greatest mysteries.

Which is why his decision to bring his girlfriend with him on the red carpet for the 2019 LACMA Art and Film Gala this week created such a stir. Reeves, 55, appeared absolutely smitten as he beamed at cameras and held hands with artist Alexandra Grant, 46, in a completely uncharacteristic display, reports News.com.au.

Alexandra Grant and Keanu Reeves attend the 2019 LACMA Art + Film Gala on November 2. Photo / Getty Images

Despite being a bona fide member of tinsel town’s A-list for more than three decades, his movies grossing more than $3 billion over the years, Reeves is a master at keeping his cards close to his chest.

He’s not exactly in hiding. He gives interviews to promote his latest box office blockbusters, isn’t totally absent from talk shows, and he doesn’t blank his red carpet obligations.

In fact, he’s always entirely present during his media junkets. Kind, attentive and respectful.

But somehow, he manages to dodge any opportunity to let the public in.

Every now and then, however, he puts an ace on the table, and we peel back another layer of his complex nature.

Seemingly out of nowhere, and at 54 years of age, Reeves has been embraced by the masses in a way we’ve not seen over the course of his career.

Keanu Reeves, ‘kind, attentive and respectful’. Photo / Getty Images
A Change.org petition is gaining momentum (currently more than 40,000 signatures) for Reeves to be named Time’s Person of the Year in 2019, with the actor described as the “internet’s boyfriend” and “the most wholesome person alive” — something he was gobsmacked to be told.

“That’s wacky,” he told People TV.

“The positivity is great. It’s really special how John Wick was embraced, and working on Always Be My Maybe, great, you know.”

A response that shows he is uncomfortable with the attention but humbled all the same.

Reeves has two big movies that have been released this year — John Wick: Chapter 3 and Toy Story 4; their high-profile releases shining a light on his troubled backstory, with many fans dubious to know how he’s managed to stay one of Hollywood’s most humble blokes.

The proof of his down-to-earth nature is a viral photograph taken in 2010 that showed Reeves sitting alone on a New York bench eating a sandwich. This is a guy who’s said to be worth $US360 million ($A520 million).

The photo, which Reeves saw the humour in, sparked an internet meme dubbed “Sad Keanu”.

While it was all a big joke in the world of cyber space, there’s actually some tragic reasons behind why Reeves is a recluse, having never married or had kids.

In 1999, Reeves’ girlfriend Jennifer Syme gave birth to their daughter Ava, who was stillborn. The pair met a year prior at a party and fell instantly in love.

But the stillbirth took a toll on their relationship, the couple deciding to split several weeks later.

Keanu Reeves with his ex-girlfriend Jennifer Syme, who died in a car accident in 2001. Photo / News Limited

This was around the time The Matrix was released, which as we know went on to become a colossal critical and commercial success and is available to stream on Foxtel.

Two years after their breakup, Syme was leaving a party at Marilyn Manson’s house in Los Angeles when she sideswiped three parked cars, rolled her vehicle and was thrown from the car, which killed her.

Keanu Reeves at the funeral of his partner Jennifer Syme who was killed in road accident. Photo / News Limited

Reports claimed she was being treated for depression at the time, with police finding two prescription drugs in her car.

Reeves was scheduled to begin shooting back-to-back Matrix sequels but was forced to take time off after hearing the soul-crushing news. Around the same time, his sister, Kim, was diagnosed with cancer.

He hasn’t been publicly linked to a woman since Syme’s death, nor has he directly spoken about the tragedy.

Keanu Reeves in 7 Ronin. Photo / Supplied

Fans of John Wick films will see a parallel between his assassin character and his real-life experience, with John Wick also mourning lost love.

“With any character, the way I think about it is, you have the role on the page, you have the vision of the director and you have your life experience,” Reeves told The Guardian, adding he brought his own experience with hardship to the role.

“Oh yeah, I thought it was one of the foundations of the role for John Wick. I love his grief.

“For the character and in life, it’s about the love of the person you’re grieving for, and any time you can keep company with that fire, it is warm. I absolutely relate to that, and I don’t think you ever work through it. Grief and loss, those are things that don’t ever go away. They stay with you.”

It wasn’t the only time Reeves lost a loved one. In 1993, fellow actor River Phoenix, Reeves’ best friend, died of a drug overdose at the age of 23 outside a nightclub in LA.

The pair met and bonded on the set of I Love You To Death and hatched up a special friendship, as they were both the same age and navigating early life in a lucrative and high-profile world.

Phoenix died while Reeves was filming Speed with Sandra Bullock, who spoke of the incident a year later.

Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves) in a scene from the 1989 film Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Photo / Supplied

“I think that he has gone through a lot even though he doesn’t let on about it,” Bullock told Télé 7 Jours in 1994. “I think he hides a great pain.”

Reeves also suffered immense pain in his childhood.

He was born in Lebanon to Patricia Taylor and Samuel Reeves and attended four high schools before dropping out when he was 17.

His father walked out on the family when Reeves was only three years old, forcing his single mother to move the family around and raise them in different countries — Hawaii, New York, Canada and even a short stint in Australia.

The last time Reeves saw his father was at the age of 13. In an extremely rare interview, Reeves stated in 2002: “On our last day we sat on the veranda and stared at the dark sky. He hardly said anything that evening. The next day he brought us to the airport. Then we didn’t hear anything from him for 10 years. No calls, no letters, nothing.”

Despite significant tragedy, Reeves hasn’t gone down the dark path we see many famous celebrities wander down.

Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock in 1994 film Speed. Photo / Supplied

His hardships have made him kinder. And not in a showy way, in the most low-key way.

We find out about his generosity from random workers on his movie sets and Reddit threads.

He gave the entire stunt team on the Matrix Harley Davidsons so they could all enjoy riding what he calls the “demon ride” as much as he did.

Reddit user bo2dd2 said Reeves bought him and several other workers breakfast and lunch everyday during filming of Chain Reaction.

“Every day for the last few weeks of filming, Keanu treated the stage hands and “grunt workers” (including myself) by taking us out for free breakfast and lunch. He was genuinely a very nice guy to work with,” the post read.

Reeves as Eddie Kasalivich in Chain Reaction. Photo / News Corp Australia

“Since then, I’ve worked on about 30 different sets and have never met an actor as generous and friendly as him. Most actors I’ve seen and worked with are total douches who always think they are better than us. Keanu on the other hand, at the very least, was socially approachable and definitely kind-hearted.

“That was one example (that involved me directly), but (on the same set), I remember him going out of his way to give my friend a ride to the repair shop to pick up his car …”

One of the most famous stories about Reeves broke in 1997 when he was photographed sitting on the side of the road with a homeless man.

The word was Reeves approached him, sat with him, shared drinks and snacks and listened to his life story.

He has sacrificed millions of dollars from his own salaries to save at-risk jobs on several of his movies, with some reports claiming he has given up as much as $125 million so people could stay employed.

Reeves reportedly waited in pouring rain in a nightclub line at his own wrap party for Daughter of God because he didn’t want to drop his name at the door.

“I didn’t know who he was, he kept waiting, and he didn’t say anything to me! He’s a very relaxed person,” the unidentified owner of the club told the Daily Mail at the time.

This is just a handful of his candid moments. Earlier this year, Reeves told an entire crowd they were “breathtaking”, and back in 2011 he was filmed offering his seat to a fellow passenger on a New York subway.

Not to mention he’s put millions of his own dollars into various charities, which, again, he doesn’t make public knowledge.

It’s very easy to see why the world has a new-found fascination with Reeves, and we’re all here for it.