Abandonment & Loss: Keanu Reeves Has Been Through Devastating Life Events

Feb 07, 2022 by apost team

Actor Keanu Reeves, 58, is known to be one of Hollywood’s nicest guys. On top of being a movie star, in recent years he’s also developed a reputation as “the internet’s boyfriend” due to how much netizens love him. He’s a bonafide action star whose filmography includes “The Matrix” and “John Wick” franchises, among other notable movies such as “The Lake House.” Reeves is simply one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors, not only for his talent but his heart.

There are plenty of other examples that show why Reeves is considered such a stand-up guy. There’s the time that he gave up his seat on the subway for a stranger as well as the various moments he’s shared with homeless people on the streets, listening to their stories. He has also given many donations to charities and shared his wealth with the film crews that have helped make his movies.

While Reeves is known for being one of the most beloved, friendly and down-to-earth actors, he also has a dark past that is full of hardships and heartache. His father left him when he was very young, his childhood dream was crushed by an injury and he has dealt with insurmountable grief from losing loved ones.

Still, Reeves has continued to show his kind spirit to others while proving himself as an iconic star. Nowadays, he uses his platform to help better the lives of several people he meets. Read on to find out more about Reeves’ tragic start to life and how he became the star he is today.

Reeves was born on Sept. 2, 1964, in Beirut, Lebanon. From a young age, his father wasn’t a big part of his life, leaving the family during Reeves’ early childhood. According to Snopes, Reeves’ dad was still part of his life until he was 13, but then didn’t hear from him for about 10 years.

Reeves moved around during his childhood, being raised in Hawaii, Australia, New York and Canada. His mother remarried three times, giving Reeves three stepfathers in the process. He also dropped out of school when he was just 17 years old, crediting dyslexia as a challenging factor in enjoying education, but he did “OK academically,” according to Snopes.

The now-established actor once had a dream of becoming a professional hockey player. According to Sportscasting, Reeves was on track for a career in hockey, and even earned tryouts with a professional team. However, he suffered an injury that shattered his dreams. Fortunately, a short while after the injury, Reeves took a trip to New York City, which ultimately led to a jumpstart to his acting career.

While he was beginning to find work and making a name for himself, tragedy struck. He co-starred alongside his good friend River Phoenix in “My Own Private Idaho.” According to Showbiz CheatSheet, Reeves was so determined to make sure that his friend received the part, that he rode more than 1,000 miles on his motorcycle to hand deliver the film’s treatment to Phoenix. Unfortunately, Phoenix later developed substance abuse issues, and died of a drug overdose in 1993.

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About five years after his best friend died, Reeves met Jennifer Syme. The pair fell in love and conceived a child in 1999. However, his daughter was stillborn, and Reeves and Syme struggled to deal with their grief while holding onto their relationship, and eventually decided to break up. Sadly, Syme died in a car accident in April 2001.

In 1991, Reeves’ sister, Kim, was diagnosed with leukemia. Fortunately, she was in remission in 1999. Reeves has since gone on to use his earnings to help others, specifically those who have cancer, according to Snopes. Back in 2009, Reeves said:

“I have a private foundation that’s been running for five or six years, and it helps aid a couple of children’s hospitals and cancer research. I don’t like to attach my name to it, I just let the foundation do what it does.”

Despite the number of hardships he’s been through, Reeves has continued to find success in the acting world and gets to experience some luxuries. Celebrity Net Worth reported that Reeves made about $200 million from the “Matrix” franchise, and his current net worth is about $380 million. In April 2021, Velvet Ropes reported that the star has three homes: one in Hawaii, one in Malibu and one in Hollywood. Some of his famous neighbors include Leonardo DiCaprio and Calvin Klein.

This hasn’t impacted Reeves’ kind heart in any way, though, as he is still very down to earth. Snopes reported that he has a few motorcycles and luxury cars, but still takes the subway every now and then. According to the India Times, Reeves has also taken time out of his day to sit and talk with homeless people just to hear their stories.

What do you think about Keanu Reeves’ life story and career? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to your loved ones, too.