A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Keanu Reeves.
Keanu Reeves is a highly regarded Canadian actor and musician recognized for his extensive career and contributions to film. He's received numerous awards and was ranked among the greatest actors of the 21st century by The New York Times. Time magazine also recognized him as one of the most influential people in the world. He's particularly known for his leading roles in action films, his positive public image, and his philanthropic work.
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, which significantly raised his profile in the film industry.
1989: Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure Release
In 1989, Keanu Reeves starred in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, a role that was generally well-received and helped solidify his status as a comedic actor.
1991: Rising Acclaim and Action Hero Status
In 1991, Keanu Reeves garnered praise for his role in My Own Private Idaho and solidified his status as an action hero with a leading role in Point Break, marking a year of diverse and impactful performances.
1992: MTV Movie Award Win
In 1992, Keanu Reeves won the Most Desirable Male award at the MTV Movie Awards for his role in Point Break, acknowledging his rising popularity and appeal.
1994: Leading Role in Speed
In 1994, Keanu Reeves starred in Speed, a highly successful action film that further established him as a leading man in Hollywood.
1994: Starring in Speed
In 1994, Keanu Reeves starred in the action thriller Speed, alongside Sandra Bullock, which became a critically acclaimed and commercially successful film.
1994: People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive
Keanu Reeves was named People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive in 1994, though it was retroactively awarded in 2015.
1995: Academy Awards for Speed
In 1995, the film Speed, starring Keanu Reeves, won two Academy Awards for Best Sound Editing and Best Sound, recognizing the film's technical achievements.
1997: Well-Received Performance in The Devil's Advocate
In 1997, Keanu Reeves's performance in The Devil's Advocate was well received, helping to revitalize his career after several box-office disappointments.
1999: Starring in The Matrix
In 1999, Keanu Reeves starred as Neo in The Matrix, a role that brought him greater stardom and cemented his status as a major Hollywood actor.
2001: Appears on Forbes Celebrity 100 List
In 2001, Keanu Reeves appeared on Forbes' annual Celebrity 100 list at number 36, acknowledging his prominence and earnings in the entertainment industry.
2002: Appears on Forbes Celebrity 100 List
In 2002, Keanu Reeves appeared on Forbes' annual Celebrity 100 list at number 49, acknowledging his prominence and earnings in the entertainment industry.
2003: Highest Paid Actor for The Matrix Sequels
In 2003, Keanu Reeves became the highest paid actor for a single production when he reprised his role as Neo in The Matrix sequels Reloaded and Revolutions, marking a significant achievement in his career.
2005: Receives 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, marking a significant achievement in his career.
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 presence in action films.
2014: Starring in John Wick
In 2014, Keanu Reeves starred in the action thriller "John Wick", playing a retired hitman seeking vengeance, which marked a rebound in his career after previous commercial failures.
November 2015: Named 1994's Sexiest Man Alive
In November 2015, People magazine retroactively named Keanu Reeves 1994's Sexiest Man Alive, acknowledging his appeal and influence.
2016: Earns $250 Million for 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.
2019: John Wick 3, Toy Story 4 and KeanuCon
In 2019, Keanu Reeves starred in "John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum", voiced Duke Caboom in "Toy Story 4", and had a film festival held in his honor called KeanuCon in Glasgow, Scotland.
2020: Ranked Among Greatest Actors
In 2020, Keanu Reeves was ranked as the fourth-greatest actor of the 21st century by The New York Times, acknowledging his significant contributions to the film industry.
2020: Ranked Among Greatest Actors of the 21st Century
In 2020, The New York Times ranked Keanu Reeves at number four on its list of the 25 Greatest Actors of the 21st Century, recognizing his significant impact on film.
September 2021: Deemed Top Martial Arts Movie Star
In September 2021, Tae Kwon Do Life Magazine deemed Keanu Reeves the "#1 Martial Arts movie star in the world" based on his films and box office success.
2022: Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2022, Time magazine named Keanu Reeves one of the 100 most influential people in the world, recognizing his significant impact on culture and society.
2022: Named One of the 100 Most Influential People
In 2022, Time magazine recognized Keanu Reeves as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, highlighting his impact beyond acting through his public image and philanthropic efforts.
2024: Honored on Gold House's A100 List and Receives Inkpot Award
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, celebrating his career achievements.