Keanu Reeves is one of Hollywood’s most recognizable names, but the actor nearly went by someone else. “I got paid when I was like 16, so I was a professional actor around 16, 17 [years old],” Reeves, 61, said on the Wednesday, October 15, episode of the “New Heights” podcast.
“I was in Toronto, Canada, and then I got a manager who lived in Los Angeles. … At 20 years old I drove in my car to Los Angeles. Got out of my car and my manager said, ‘We want to change your name.’ So that’s like, a welcome to Hollywood [moment].”
When asked if there was an alternative name considered for him, Reeves replied, “No.” “I remember I was walking on the beach and I was just like, ‘My name? What if I change my name?’” Reeves recalled.
While brainstorming a different moniker, Reeves said he considered using his middle name, Charles, or even honoring the street where he grew up.
“Then I became KC Reeves. I was credited as KC Reeves,” he said, adding that he thinks that was the name listed in his first film. “And then I couldn’t do it. So then I would be in auditions and they would go, ‘KC Reeves.’ And I wouldn’t even answer. Six months later, I was like, ‘I’m not doing this.’ That’s a Hollywood moment.”
Reeves’ breakout role came in 1989 with the comedy Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, and he has since starred in major films including Speed and the John Wick franchise. Off-screen, Reeves has been in the headlines for his love life, including recent speculation that he secretly married girlfriend Alexandra Grant.
“Well, that wasn’t the first time,” Reeves said about the rumors during an interview at the New York City premiere of his latest film, Good Fortune, on Monday, October 13. “We’ve been going out for a long time.”
“The wedding, it’s a nice thing,” Reeves continued. “People did a lot of nice messages and stuff, but Alexandra just did a wonderful [job] addressing, like, ‘Thank you, but here’s the reality.’”
In September, Grant denied the claim that she and Reeves were married, days after the actor’s rep shut down the rumors.
“This is a real photo. Not an engagement photo or an AI wedding announcement… simply a kiss! We’re at Roden Crater, and Keanu and I had just finished interviewing James Turrell for Visionaries,” Grant wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo of the couple kissing.
She added, “I’m sharing it here to say thank you to everyone for the congratulations on our wedding. Except we didn’t get married. Good news is much needed these days, but it’s still fake news, so be careful out there! So, here’s a bit of real happiness!”