Whoa: 20 reasons why the world loves Keanu Reeves

There are very few celebrities a majority of the population can agree are pretty much perfect both on and off screen, but when push comes to shove, the No. 1 name that continuously pops up is none other than Keanu Reeves. From iconic roles that changed the game in film to his charitable efforts and all-around nice guy demeanor, these are the roles and reasons the world loves Keanu Reeves.

Neo in ‘The Matrix’

Warner Bros.

The Matrix was one of the hottest scripts of its day, with talks of everyone from Will Smith to Brad Pitt being considered for the lead role of Neo. Of course, it eventually went to the one and only Keanu Reeves, and today, it’s hard to imagine anyone else as the computer programmer who eventually made audiences ponder just about every aspect of reality.

He is incredibly nice

Julien Reynaud/APS-Media/Sipa USA

There has yet to be a negative word uttered alongside Keanu Reeves’ name, from those who’ve worked with him to fan encounters.

Officer Jack Traven in ‘Speed’

Twentieth Century Fox

Only in the ‘90s could an action movie be made about a bus that will explode if it drops under 50 miles per hour, and only in the ‘90s could the role of the officer who dares to board said bus be played by Keanu Reeves.

Juan Pablo Rico/Sipa USA

Unlike a lot of other celebrities, Keanu doesn’t put his whole life out there on social media or, really, in the press at all. Because of that, he’s remained one of the most drama-free people in Hollywood.

John Wick in ‘John Wick’

Summit Entertainment

Who doesn’t love a man who’d do anything for a dog?

Chris Tuite/imageSPACE/Sipa USA

Dogstar is the band Keanu played in from 1991 until 2002. However, the band did get back together to play at the BottleRock Napa Valley music festival in May 2023 for the first time in over two decades.

Ted Logan, in ‘Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure’

Orion Pictures

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure is not only a cult classic but a reminder of how silly and fun cinema can be.

Proud of his roots

Warner Bros. Pictures

Some actors do certain projects earlier in their careers that they look back and down on, but not Keanu Reeves. He’s never shown an ounce of shame for anything he’s done — not that he should have. He returned to two of his most infamous roles years later, including Ted Logan for 2020’s Bill & Ted Face the Music and 2021’s The Matrix Resurrections.

Conor O’Neill in ‘Hardball’

Paramount Pictures

Hardball was like if one were to take the basic plot of The Mighty Ducks and then add a lot of heartache. It’s not the most lighthearted of Reeves’ roles, but one that is undeniable to love.

He’s easy on the eyes

Casey Flanigan/imageSPACE/Sipa USA

Well, anyone would be lying if they said that part of the reason the world loves Keanu Reeves isn’t because of how handsome he is.

Batman in ‘DC League of Super-Pets’

Warner Bros. Pictures

Many actors have gotten to step into the bat suit, but Keanu Reeves, well, it was more like he was drawn into it as Bruce Wayne in the animated world of DC League of Super-Pets when he became the Dark Knight that wound up taking in Bat-Hound, voiced by the hilarious Kevin Hart.

Alban Wyters/Sipa USA

Having a loved one battling cancer often inspires people to want to do as much as possible to help others, and Reeves is no different. After his sister was diagnosed with leukemia, he started a private foundation that supports children’s hospitals and research.

John Constantine, in ‘Constantine’

Warner Bros.

Reeves’ first time in the role of a superhero, but since then, so many other comic book movies have come and gone, making fans wonder when he’ll step back into a live-action hero role again.

Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa USA

Late-night appearances usually revolve around a quick anecdote from the guest, some chit-chat, and a quick promotional plug. Keanu Reeves decided to lay down some sincere wisdom on — of all things — death when he appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in 2019. The spot went viral after he responded to the idea of what happens after we die: “I know that the ones who love us will miss us.”

Alex Wyler in ‘The Lake House’

Warner Bros.

While this was never officially called Speed 3 , that is what most should consider this movie. Yes, it has absolutely nothing to do with any sort of vehicle and the speed at which it traveled, but it was the on-screen reunion of Reeves and Sandra Bullock, which was more than enough to make fans giddy.

New Line Cinema

Keanu Reeves could very well say no to whatever project he wants, but when Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key approached him to voice the titular kitten in 2016’s Keanu, he showed up. Fans respect that kind of commitment.

Duke Caboom in ‘Toy Story 4’

Walt Disney Pictures

Forky was the spirit animal for many while Woody’s story tugged at every heartstring, but what Reeves brought to Toy Story 4 was pure comedic gold as an Evel Knievel-like toy with serious unresolved issues.