42 Photos of Keanu Reeves Through the Years
42 Photos of Keanu Reeves Through the Years
Since the '80s, Keanu Reeves has been a household name in Hollywood. But in case you haven't noticed, he's had a bit of a resurgence lately. Maybe it's partly due to his unlikely role in the Netflix movie Always Be My Maybe and his new public romance with Alexandra Grant—but then there's his sheer likability. The actor has always been one of the greats, and these photos are proof.
1986: A Young Man
Keanu Reeves was born in Beirut, Lebanon, but he moved frequently and bounced around from Hawaii to Australia to New York to Canada. At 15, Reeves decided he wanted to be an actor and pursued the career while attending Avondale Secondary Alternative School in Canada.
1986: His Big Break
Although it wasn't his first starring role, Reeves earned his breakout role in the 1987 crime drama River's Edge. Reeves starred alongside up-and-coming British actress Ione Skye.
1987: A Rising Star
Reeves worked on several movies in the late '80s after his big break in River's Edge, including Dangerous Liaisons, which showcased his range as an actor.
1987: The Beginning of an Excellent Adventure
One of Reeve's earliest roles was in the slapstick comedy Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventures. Reeves, pictured here on set in 1987, played the dumb, goofy Ted Theodore Logan, who accidentally accesses a time machine with his buddy Bill.
1988: Hanging Around
A young Reeves is seen relaxing on set in 1988.
1988: Bonafide Celebrity
Reeves and "Brat Pack" member, Rob Lowe, were teammates in a celebrity basketball tournament in 1988. By this time, Reeves had become known as a promising rising star in Hollywood.
1989: Mysterious Romance
Rumors about Reeves and his Bram Stoker's Dracula costar, Winona Ryder, circulated for years. Many were convinced that their chemistry was so good, they must have been an item in the past. Ryder tried to shut down the rumors in 2018, but gassed them up instead: "We actually got married in Dracula. No, I swear to god I think we're married in real life," the actress told Entertainment Weekly.
The pair explained that their director, Frances Ford Coppola, used a real Romanian priest to act in the wedding scene and that their vows may have actually been legit.
1990: Reeves Forms Dogstar
Reeves quickly became known for one of his outside of acting hobbies, his grunge band Dogstar. As lead guitarist, Reeves and his band had performances at some of the most popular clubs in Los Angeles, like the Troubadour.
1991: The Adventure Continues
Reeves and his costar, Alex Winter, attend the premiere of Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. The movie, which remains a fan favorite to this day, was turned into a cartoon TV show and had a sequel, Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey.
1991: Filming 'Point Break'
In one of his most famous films, Point Break, Reeves costarred alongside Patrick Swayze as a surfer.
1991: 'Point Break' Premiere
Reeves channeled his chill and laid-back surfer vibes for his appearance at the Point Break premiere.
1992: A New Look
The actor looks poised and polished as he debuted a new shorter haircut at the MTV Movie Awards. Was this the end of his grunge phase? Nah, it was just another sign of his endless versatility.
1992: A Young Hollywood Romance
After meeting on the set of Bram Stoker's Dracula, Reeves and Sofia Coppola (who's father directed the film) dated on and off following the film's release.
1993: Little Buddha
In 1993, Reeves (far right) donned a wig to play Siddhartha in the critically acclaimed film, Little Buddha.
1993: Direction on Set
Italian director and scriptwriter Bernardo Bertolucci gives Reeves notes while on the set of Little Buddha.
1993: A Big Mistake
Reeves was well known for pulling up to premieres and events on one of his multiple motorcycles, but in 1993 it was his car that found him at the end of a costly mistake. The actor was arrested in Los Angeles for drunk driving after being pulled over for erratic driving.
1993: A Shakespearian Role
In 1993, the actor joined a star studded cast—Emma Thompson, Denzel Washington, and Kenneth Branagh—in the highly-anticipated film adaption of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing.
1994: Cementing His Fame
In 1994, Reeves' career reached new heights due to his role in the blockbuster hit, Speed. Reeves and his costar, Sandra Bullock, are seen here imprinting their hands and signatures on slabs of cement for Planet Hollywood.
1994: Dogstar Makes It Big
While blowing up on the screen, Reeves's band, Dogstar, also had a banner year in 1994. They landed a spot in the lineup at Glastonbury Festival.
1994: Just Friends
They've remained famous friends since meeting on the set of Speed, but rumors flew about a romantic connection between the two back in the day. Both stars have revealed, separately we may add, that they had a crush on the other while filming.
1995: Oblivious to Fame
One of the most alluring traits of Reeves? His ability to stay down-to-earth and remain unfazed by his mounting fame throughout the '90s.
1995: Two Rock Stars Hanging Out
Reeves hangs out with rocker Jon Bon Jovi backstage at a concert Dogstar was performing in during 1995.
1996: 'Feeling Minnesota'
The actor looks worse for wear as his character gets a stern talking by Dan Aykroyd in Feeling Minnesota.
1996: An A-List Accident
The actor broke his ankle after crashing his motorcycle in 1996. Thankfully, his sense of humor wasn't injured at the premiere of Stealing Beauty, where he rocked crutches and a cast.
1997: Hockey Tournaments
Reeves contemplated joining the Canadian Olympic ice hockey team, but decided on Hollywood instead. Today, the actor regularly plays in celebrity tournaments.
1997: Funny Man Reeves
Reeves shares a laugh with his The Devil's Advocate costars, Charlize Theron and Taylor Hackford.
1999: Heartbroken
At the peak of his professional career, the actor suffered a devastating personal tragedy after his girlfriend, Jennifer Syme, suffered a stillbirth in 1999. The couple split up shortly after and Jennifer was killed in a car accident a year later.
1999: His Biggest Role Yet
In 1999, Reeves landed his role in The Matrix, a part that would make his career and land him on the list of Hollywood's highest paid actors. Reeves arrived at the premiere arm in arm with his sisters.
2000: 'Hardball' Premiere
Reeves arrived on the red carpet for the premiere of Hardball with his long-term friend, Amanda de Cadenet, as his date.
2001: Out to the Ball Game
Reeves dresses the part as he competes in a celebrity baseball tournament with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2001.
2001: Mother Reeves
Reeves was escorted to the premiere of Sweet November by his mother, Patricia. Reeves has a close relationship with his English-born mother and has said that she has instilled British manners into him since he was little.
2003: 'The Matrix Reloaded'
The Matrix trilogy turned out to be quite lucrative for the actor. Reeves was reportedly paid a total of $250 million for appearing in all three of the films.
2003: An Earnest Star
Here, the actor shares a handshake with a fan in a crowd.
2003: With His 'Matrix' Costars
Reeves poses with Jada Pinkett Smith, Hugo Weaving, and producer Joel Silver, as the cast promotes the latest franchise installment.
2005: Earning His Star
In 2005, the actor was added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2006: Costars and Friends Reunited
Bullock and Reeves joined forces once again, a little over 10 years after Speed was released, for The Lake House.
2008: Nurturing the Next Generation of Talent
In 2008, Reeves costarred with a young Jaden Smith and Jennifer Connelly for The Day the Earth Stood Still.
2010: Buckling Up for Charity
In 2010, the actor got behind the wheel for the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race and was accompanied by friend and fellow actor, Adrien Brody.
2013: 'Side by Side' Premiere
Reeves serves major looks at the premiere of Side by Side.
2014: The Beginning of John Wick
In 2014, the first film of the John Wick franchise premiered and Reeves was let out of what he calls "movie jail" with Fox Studios after turning down Speed 2.
2016: Still Riding
The notorious motorcycle buff suited up for the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
2019: Still a Sensation
Now, at 55 years old, Reeves is better than ever before.
The actor just doesn't seem to age.