Keanu Reeves Biography

Keanu Reeves is often slated by critics as the worst actor in Hollywood, delivering wooden and expressionless performances, yet he commands one of the highest salaries in the film business, and has worked with many of the finest directors and actors of the day.

The offspring of a half-Chinese, half-Hawaiian geologist and an English showgirl, Keanu’s itinerant parents did not stay together long, so Keanu's childhood took himself, his mother and sisters to Australia, New York and Canada. His mother Patricia had a series of interesting partners and husbands, with connections to showbiz, and the young Keanu, not one for academia, decided acting was to be his career, and he began to find work in adverts and TV shows.

His motion picture debut was in ‘Dream To Believe’ in Canada, but his part in the 1986 TV movie ‘Under the Influence’ got him more notice. He headed for Hollywood in 1986 with $3,000, an old Volvo and his stepfather Paul Aaron's address. A few name changes followed as ‘Keanu’ was considered by his manager to be too exotic, but they were short-lived and he reverted to Keanu.

A string of movies followed, playing the troubled teen. His parts grew and then he started attracting the eye of more mainstream directors.

‘Speed’ really made him a household name, perhaps not so much for his acting, but the fact that it grossed nearly $300 million. More films followed, then ‘The Matrix’ in 1999 made him another massive hit, and catapulted Keanu to the highest earning actor bracket, with a salary of $20 million per film.

Despite the fame and wealth, though, Keanu shuns the limelight. He works hard and is always self-deprecating. Still living in Toronto, he prefers to surf, ballroom dance and ride horses.