Career Timeline of Keanu Reeves: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Keanu Reeves built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Keanu Reeves is a highly acclaimed Canadian actor and musician recognized for his extensive four-decade career in film, particularly his leading roles in action movies. He is celebrated for his likable public persona and philanthropic endeavors. Reeves was ranked among the greatest actors of the 21st century by The New York Times in 2020, and in 2022, Time magazine acknowledged his global influence by including him in their list of the 100 most influential people.
1950: The Last Time I Committed Suicide
In 1997, Reeves appeared in the drama The Last Time I Committed Suicide, based on a 1950 letter written by Neal Cassady to Jack Kerouac.
1968: Sweet November original film
In 2001, Reeves starred in Sweet November, a remake of the 1968 film of the same name.
1981: Murder Case Inspiration for River's Edge
In 1981, the murder of Marcy Renee Conrad served as loose inspiration for the crime drama River's Edge, in which Keanu Reeves starred in 1986, showcasing his involvement in thought-provoking roles.
1983: Coca-Cola Commercial Appearance
In 1983, Keanu Reeves appeared in a Coca-Cola commercial, gaining early exposure in the entertainment industry.
1984: Acting Debut in Hangin' In
In 1984, Keanu Reeves made his acting debut in the Canadian television series Hangin' In, marking the start of his on-screen career.
1984: Correspondent for CBC and Acting Debut
In 1984, Keanu Reeves was a correspondent for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) youth television program Going Great. That same year, he made his acting debut in an episode of the television series Hangin' In.
1985: Early Film Career
In 1985, Keanu Reeves began his prolific film career.
1985: Role in Romeo and Juliet
In 1985, Keanu Reeves played Mercutio in a stage production of Romeo and Juliet at the Leah Posluns Theatre in North York, Ontario, further developing his acting skills.
1986: Television Films and Motion Picture Appearances
In 1986, Keanu Reeves appeared in television films such as Babes in Toyland, Act of Vengeance, and Brotherhood of Justice. He also made his first motion picture appearances in Youngblood and Flying.
1986: Feature Film Debut in Youngblood
In 1986, Keanu Reeves made his feature film debut in Youngblood. This role preceded his later breakthrough in science-fiction comedies.
1988: Starring in Teen Dramas
In 1988, Keanu Reeves starred in several dramas aimed at teen audiences, including The Night Before, The Prince of Pennsylvania, and Permanent Record, expanding his acting portfolio.
1989: Breakthrough Role in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
In 1989, Keanu Reeves had his breakthrough role in the science-fiction comedy Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. The film helped to establish him in the industry.
1989: Starring in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure and Parenthood
In 1989, Keanu Reeves starred in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, a well-received comedy, and Parenthood, a comedy-drama directed by Ron Howard. These roles further showcased his versatility.
1990: Acting Performances in I Love You to Death and Tune in Tomorrow, and Appearance in Rush Rush Music Video
In 1990, Keanu Reeves portrayed an incompetent hitman in the black comedy I Love You to Death and played a radio station employee in the comedy Tune in Tomorrow. He also appeared in Paula Abdul's music video for Rush Rush.
September 29, 1991: Theatrical Release of My Own Private Idaho in the United States
On September 29, 1991, My Own Private Idaho, starring Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix, was theatrically released in the United States, marking a significant moment in Reeves' career as he took on more adult roles.
1991: Formation of Dogstar and role in Bram Stoker's Dracula
In 1991, Keanu Reeves formed the alternative rock band Dogstar and played Jonathan Harker in Francis Ford Coppola's Gothic horror film Bram Stoker's Dracula, marking his entry into music and a notable role in a successful film.
1991: Starring in Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, My Own Private Idaho, and Point Break
In 1991, Keanu Reeves starred in Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, My Own Private Idaho, and Point Break. These roles showcased his versatility and established him as both a dramatic actor and an action hero.
1993: Roles in Much Ado About Nothing, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, and Little Buddha
In 1993, Keanu Reeves had a role in Much Ado About Nothing, based on Shakespeare's play. He also starred in Even Cowgirls Get the Blues and Little Buddha. These roles marked a diverse range of performances.
1994: Leading Role in Speed
In 1994, Keanu Reeves starred in the action film Speed, which solidified his status as a leading action hero after box-office disappointments.
1994: Starring in Speed and Phoenix Death
In 1994, Keanu Reeves starred in the action thriller Speed alongside Sandra Bullock. During production, his friend and My Own Private Idaho co-star River Phoenix died, resulting in adjustments to the filming schedule to allow him to mourn.
1995: Played Prince Hamlet
In 1995, Keanu Reeves played Prince Hamlet in a Manitoba Theatre Centre production of Hamlet in Winnipeg, Manitoba, receiving positive reviews.
1995: Leading role in Johnny Mnemonic
In 1995, Keanu Reeves played the leading role in the cyberpunk action thriller Johnny Mnemonic, directed by Robert Longo. The film, set in 2021, received mainly negative reviews.
1996: Appeared in Chain Reaction
In 1996, Keanu Reeves appeared in the science fiction film Chain Reaction, playing a researcher framed for murder. The film received mostly negative reviews.
1996: Dogstar released Our Little Visionary
In 1996, Keanu Reeves's band Dogstar released their album Our Little Visionary.
1997: Turned down Speed 2 and starred in The Devil's Advocate
In 1997, Keanu Reeves turned down a role in Speed 2: Cruise Control, toured with his band Dogstar, and starred in The Devil's Advocate alongside Al Pacino and Charlize Theron.
1997: Performance in The Devil's Advocate
In 1997, Keanu Reeves's performance in the horror film The Devil's Advocate was well received, contributing to his resurgence in the film industry.
1999: Role as Neo in The Matrix
In 1999, Keanu Reeves gained greater stardom with his role as Neo in The Matrix. This role was a significant milestone in his career.
2000: Starred in The Replacements and The Watcher
In 2000, Keanu Reeves starred in the sports comedy The Replacements and, against his wishes, in the thriller The Watcher, playing a serial killer. He also had a supporting role in Sam Raimi's The Gift.
2000: Dogstar released Happy Ending
In 2000, Keanu Reeves's band Dogstar released their album Happy Ending.
2000: Il Mare released
In 2006, Reeves starred in The Lake House, a romantic drama adaptation of the 2000 South Korean film Il Mare.
2001: Starred in Sweet November and Hardball
In 2001, Keanu Reeves starred in the romantic drama Sweet November, his second collaboration with Charlize Theron, and the sports comedy Hardball. Both films received mixed to negative reviews.
2002: Dogstar disbanded
In 2002, Keanu Reeves's band Dogstar disbanded after releasing two albums.
2003: Highest Paid Actor for The Matrix Sequels
In 2003, Keanu Reeves became the highest paid actor for a single production for reprising his role as Neo in The Matrix sequels Reloaded and Revolutions.
2003: Starred in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions
In 2003, Keanu Reeves returned to The Matrix sequels, starring in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, which were released in May and November respectively. The Matrix Reloaded garnered mostly favorable reviews, while The Matrix Revolutions had mixed reception.
2003: Starred in The Matrix Revolutions and Something's Gotta Give
In 2003, Keanu Reeves starred in The Matrix Revolutions, which had a mixed reception, and the romantic comedy Something's Gotta Give, co-starring Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton, which received generally favorable reviews.
2003: Gift of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles to Matrix Reloaded Stunt Team
In 2003, as a wrap gift for the twelve-person stunt team of The Matrix Reloaded, Keanu Reeves purchased Harley-Davidson motorcycles for each member as a thank you for their help.
2005: Role as John Constantine in Constantine
In 2005, Keanu Reeves played John Constantine in Constantine, adding another notable role to his filmography.
2005: Starred in Constantine and Thumbsucker
In 2005, Keanu Reeves played John Constantine in Constantine, an occult detective film that was a box office hit with mixed-to-positive reviews, and appeared in Thumbsucker, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and received positive critical reviews.
2005: Quit band Becky
In 2005, Keanu Reeves quit the band Becky, citing a lack of interest in a serious music career.
2005: Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 2005, Keanu Reeves received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the motion picture industry.
2006: A Scanner Darkly and The Lake House
In 2006, Keanu Reeves appeared in A Scanner Darkly, directed by Richard Linklater, and The Lake House, reuniting him with Sandra Bullock. He also co-narrated The Great Warming, a documentary about climate change mitigation.
2008: Starred in Street Kings and The Day the Earth Stood Still
In 2008, Keanu Reeves collaborated with director David Ayer on the crime thriller Street Kings and starred in The Day the Earth Stood Still, a loose adaptation of the 1951 film.
2009: The Private Lives of Pippa Lee Premieres
In 2009, Rebecca Miller's film "The Private Lives of Pippa Lee" premiered at the 59th Berlin International Film Festival, marking Reeves's sole release for the year. The romantic comedy received positive reviews, particularly for its ensemble cast and psychologically insightful script.
2010: Stars in Henry's Crime
In 2010, Keanu Reeves starred in the romantic comedy "Henry's Crime", where he plays a man who is released from prison for a crime he did not commit and then targets the same bank. While not a box office success, it added another romantic comedy role to his filmography.
2011: Publishes Ode to Happiness
In 2011, Keanu Reeves released "Ode to Happiness", an adult picture book he wrote with illustrations by Alexandra Grant. This marked a venture into authorship, showcasing his creative pursuits beyond acting.
2011: Co-founding ARCH Motorcycle Company
In 2011, Keanu Reeves, an avid motorcyclist, co-founded ARCH Motorcycle Company with Gard Hollinger, which builds and sells custom motorcycles.
2012: Co-produces and Appears in Side by Side Documentary
In 2012, Keanu Reeves co-produced and appeared in the documentary "Side by Side", where he interviewed filmmakers such as James Cameron, Martin Scorsese, and Christopher Nolan. The film explored the comparison between digital and photochemical film creation.
2013: Directorial Debut with Man of Tai Chi
In 2013, Keanu Reeves made his directorial debut with the martial arts film "Man of Tai Chi", which premiered at the Beijing Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival. Despite positive reviews for its fight sequences, the film was a commercial disappointment.
2014: Career Comeback with John Wick
In 2014, Keanu Reeves made a career comeback by playing the titular assassin in the action film series John Wick, revitalizing his career.
2014: Stars in John Wick
In 2014, Keanu Reeves starred in "John Wick", directed by Chad Stahelski, marking a career comeback. The action thriller, filmed in New York City, became a box office success, with Reeves playing a retired hitman seeking vengeance.
2015: Stars in Knock Knock and Narrates Documentaries
In 2015, Keanu Reeves starred in "Knock Knock", a remake of the 1977 film Death Game, playing a father terrorized by two young women. He also narrated the documentaries "Deep Web" and "Mifune: The Last Samurai", showcasing his versatility in different film genres.
2015: Coppola's Retrospective Interview on Reeves' Performance in Dracula
In 2015, director Francis Ford Coppola reflected on Keanu Reeves' performance in Bram Stoker's Dracula, noting Reeves' hard work but also acknowledging that his efforts resulted in a stilted portrayal, adding historical perspective on the film.
2016: Five Film Releases
In 2016, Keanu Reeves appeared in five film releases: "Exposed", "Keanu" (voice role), "The Neon Demon", "The Bad Batch", and "The Whole Truth". He also appeared in the web television series "Swedish Dicks", showcasing a variety of roles and genres during the year.
2016: Earnings from The Matrix Franchise
In 2016, The Hollywood Reporter calculated that Keanu Reeves had earned $250 million for The Matrix franchise, establishing him as one of the highest-paid actors.
2017: Stars in John Wick: Chapter 2 and To the Bone
In 2017, Keanu Reeves reprised his role in "John Wick: Chapter 2", a critical and commercial success. He also starred in "To the Bone", a drama about a young woman with anorexia, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was distributed on Netflix in July 2017.
2017: Founding X Artists' Books
In 2017, Keanu Reeves, Jessica Fleischmann, and Alexandra Grant founded book publisher X Artists' Books (XAB).
2018: Stars in Destination Wedding, Siberia, and Replicas
In 2018, Keanu Reeves starred in the comedy "Destination Wedding" with Winona Ryder, and also co-produced and starred in the thrillers "Siberia" and "Replicas". However, both "Siberia" and "Replicas" were critically panned.
2019: Stars in John Wick: Chapter 3 and Toy Story 4
In 2019, Keanu Reeves starred in "John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum", another box office hit in the series. He also voiced Duke Caboom in "Toy Story 4". Additionally, a film festival called KeanuCon was held in his honor in Glasgow, Scotland.
2019: Voicing Duke Caboom in Toy Story 4
In 2019, Keanu Reeves voiced Duke Caboom in Toy Story 4, marking his participation in a major animated film.
June 2020: Volunteering for Camp Rainbow Gold
In June 2020, Keanu Reeves volunteered for Camp Rainbow Gold, an Idaho-based children's cancer charity.
2020: Portrayal of Johnny Silverhand in Cyberpunk 2077 and Bill & Ted Face the Music release
In 2020, Keanu Reeves portrayed Johnny Silverhand in the video game Cyberpunk 2077. Additionally, he reprised his role as Ted in Bill & Ted Face the Music.
2020: Release of Bill & Ted Face the Music
In 2020, Keanu Reeves reprised his role in "Bill & Ted Face the Music", the third film in the franchise. He also appeared in "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run" and as Johnny Silverhand in the video game "Cyberpunk 2077".
December 2021: Returns in The Matrix Resurrections
In December 2021, Keanu Reeves returned to the screen in "The Matrix Resurrections", the fourth film in the franchise, alongside Carrie-Anne Moss. While highly anticipated, the film was a box office disappointment.
2021: Launch of the BRZRKR Comic Book Franchise
In 2021, Keanu Reeves co-wrote and created the BRZRKR franchise, starting with the original comic book, marking his expansion into comic book creation.
2021: Neo in The Matrix: Resurrections
In 2021, Keanu Reeves reprised his role as Neo in The Matrix: Resurrections, continuing his involvement in the iconic film series.
March 2023: Auction for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
In March 2023, after filming John Wick: Chapter 4, Keanu Reeves, Chad Stahelski, and Dave Camarillo signed a training uniform which was auctioned to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
October 2023: BRZRKR Comic Book Series Concludes
In October 2023, the comic book series "BRZRKR", co-written by Keanu Reeves, concluded with the publication of its third volume. The series was a significant success, with issue #1 being the top-selling single issue since Star Wars #1 in 2015.
2023: Dogstar album release and tour
In 2023, Keanu Reeves' band Dogstar released a new album, "Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees", and embarked on a 25-date tour in North America and Japan. He also released "BRZRKR: Bloodlines", and hosted and executive produced the documentary series "Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story".
2023: Keanumycin named in honor of Keanu Reeves
In 2023, the lipopeptide keanumycin, a substance deadly to fungi, was named in honour of Keanu Reeves.
2023: Dogstar Album Release and BRZRKR Comic Book Completion
In 2023, the musical band Dogstar, with Keanu Reeves as a member, released albums including Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees. The BRZRKR comic book franchise, co-written and created by Reeves, also completed its original run.
May 2024: Netflix Wins Litigation Over Conquest Series
In May 2024, Netflix won a litigation case regarding the rights to the Keanu Reeves-produced Conquest series. The footage reverted to Netflix, along with a reimbursement of $8.78 million for misused production money by creator Carl Erik Rinsch.
August 21, 2024: Release of BRZRKR Bloodlines spin-off, The Lost Book of B
On August 21, 2024, the BRZRKR Bloodlines spin-off, titled The Lost Book of B was released.
December 20, 2024: Release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 featuring Keanu Reeves as Shadow the Hedgehog
On December 20, 2024, the third installment of the Sonic the Hedgehog film series, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, was released, featuring Keanu Reeves as the voice of Shadow the Hedgehog.
2024: Reeves discusses mortality and makes motorsport debut
In 2024, Keanu Reeves shared his thoughts on mortality and made his motorsport debut in the Toyota GR Cup North America, finishing 25th in Race 1 and 24th in Race 2 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
2024: Contract with Windsor Spitfires
In 2024, Keanu Reeves signed a one-day contract with the Windsor Spitfires, and signed items which were auctioned off in benefit of the Canadian Mental Health Association of Windsor-Essex.
2024: Voicing Shadow the Hedgehog in Sonic the Hedgehog 3
In 2024, Keanu Reeves voiced Shadow the Hedgehog in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, adding to his voice acting roles.
2024: Awards and Recognition in 2024
In 2024, Keanu Reeves was honored on Gold House's Most Impactful Asians A100 list and received the Inkpot Award for Lifetime Contributions to Movies, TV, Comics, and Books at San Diego Comic-Con.
2024: Expansion of the BRZRKR Franchise with The Book of Elsewhere
In 2024, the BRZRKR franchise, co-written and created by Keanu Reeves, expanded to include numerous spin-offs, including The Book of Elsewhere.
January 2025: Uncredited Role in Severance Season 2
In January 2025, Keanu Reeves had an uncredited role voicing a stop-motion Lumon building in the second season of the television series Severance.
June 2025: Reprising role as John Wick in Ballerina
In June 2025, Keanu Reeves reprised his role as John Wick in the series spin-off film Ballerina, which stars Ana de Armas.
September 2025: Broadway Debut in Waiting for Godot
In September 2025, Keanu Reeves made his Broadway debut in a production of Waiting for Godot directed by Jamie Lloyd, alongside his Bill & Ted co-star Alex Winter.
2025: Upcoming film and documentary releases
In 2025, Keanu Reeves is set to appear in Jonah Hill's black comedy film, Outcome, on Apple TV+, and Ruben Östlund's satire, The Entertainment System Is Down. He is also co-producing a documentary about Benny Urquidez, slated for release in 2025.
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