When he was born in 1964, his English mother named him Keanu, after his great, great-uncle. Keanu's name means "cool breeze over the mountains" in Hawaiian. His father is an Asian American of Chinese and Hawaiian descent.
As a kid who loved to play ice hockey and who did it well as the high school team's goalie, he got the nickname "The Wall".
I have never watched Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, nor Speed, nor The Matrix and its two sequels.
Had I not seen him in Something's Gotta Give last weekend, I would not have been inspired to write this post.
In this movie, Reeves plays a doctor attracted to Diane Keaton who plays the role of a successful playright.
Reeves and Keaton co-star with the one-and-only Jack Nicholson.
In Something's Gotta Give Reeves is tender. He is sensitive and ultimately selfless. He is forgiving. He is irresistable. And he is a great actor.
During Monday's installation ceremony, the forty year-old movie star said:
When I was 15 years old in Canada, I did a play called Romeo and Juliet.
I asked my mom if it was OK to be an actor and she said: 'Whatever you want.'
So thanks, Mom.
I've been pleased to work with so many wonderful stars through the years," Reeves said.
This has been an amazing journey. I hope it continues.
A Buddhist in real life, Reeves is reported to be very generous with his time and money, lending both to a variety of causes.
Keanu's life, however, has not been without great challenge and heartache. In December 1999, he and his girlfriend, actress Jennifer Syme had a child together. However, their baby girl was stillborn. Then, in April 2001, Syme was killed in an automobile accident. His girlfriend and daughter are buried side-by-side in Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, his father has been in prison.
In his next role on the big screen called Constantine, Keanu plays a supernatural detective who goes to Hell.
Constantine Premier
Warner Bros'
"Constantine"
(Starring: Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, et al.)
Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 6:00 p.m.
at Grauman's Chinese Theatre
6925 Hollywood Blvd, in Hollywood
This movie is based on the DC Comics adult-targeted comic book Hellblazer.
Reeves is also currently working on Richard Linklater's highly innovative A Scanner Darkly, after which he'll join Spike Lee for The Night Watchman and former co-star Sandra Bullock in Il Mare.
Other celebrities who are expected to get new stars in 2005 include:
Movie Stars
Tim Allen, Antonio Banderas, Donald Duck, Kevin Kline, Julianne Moore, Patricia Neal, Dennis Quaid and Ben Stiller
Television Stars
Tom Brokaw, Wayne Rogers, David Hyde Pierce, James Doohan, Roger Ebert and Al Michaels
Musicians
Billy Joel, Rod Stewart, Carly Simon, The Righteous Brothers, Emilio Estefan, Al Green and Herb Jeffries
Live Performers
Theodore Bikel, Linda Hopkins and Fred Travalena
Radio Personalities
Jim Ladd and Bob Miller.
Posthumous stars are expected be awarded to: Redd Foxx, Freddie Prinze, Stella Adler and David O. Selznik.
In addition to Reeves, other celebrities who have already received their star this year include:
All My Children soap opera star, Susan Lucci
The rock group, Journey
Comedian, Soupy Sales
Tomorrow, comedian / impressionist, Fred Travelina will be honored.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce only announces the details of each event a few days before it takes place.
About The Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a sidewalk along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood, California, which is embedded with more than 2,000 five-pointed stars featuring the names of celebrities honored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for their contributions to the entertainment industry.
The Hollywood Sign and the Walk of Fame exist today due to the efforts of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
In 1953, Chamber members created the idea for a Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The now world famous Walk of Fame was installed in 1960.
Joanne Woodward was the first to receive a star on February 9th, 1960.
In 1962, the L.A. City Council appointed the Chamber as the institution to handle additions to the Walk of Fame.
In 1978, the City of Los Angeles designated the Walk of Fame as a Cultural/Historic Landmark.
In order for a person to get a star on the Walk of Fame, he or she must agree to attend a presentation ceremony within five years of selection.
Tributes are paid to those who have had achievements in motion pictures, live theater, radio, television, and/or music.
Gene Autrey is the only celebrity to receive a star in all five categories.
Keanu Reeves's star can be found at 6801 Hollywood Blvd.
For a list of all the "Stars", go to the official Walk of Fame site at:
www.HollywoodChamber.net
Congratulations Keanu and Patricia Reeves!
Inspire & Be Inspired.
Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "immortalized" living!
~ Jennifer Carolyn King
fresh content posted
Actor Keanu Reeves came to Hollywood from his birthplace of Beirut, Lebanon and his roots of New York City and Toronto twenty years ago. When his mother inspired him to pursue his dream of acting on the big screen, he loaded up his British racing green Volvo and headed west. On Monday, January 31st, Keanu earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as a tribute to his contribution in Motion Pictures. He joins 2,276 fellow movie actors, radio, TV, & stage performers, directors, singers, songwriters, and other well-known show-business personalities.
