There really is no one quite like Keanu Reeves [1]. He's starred in action flicks [2], romances, and, yes, a stoner cult classic. Although he's been in the public eye for years, he's always been a pretty private person [3] and a bit quirkier than most actors. Perhaps unsurprisingly, his interviews are always full of thoughtful reflections [4] more than just the usual actor puff-piece PR-approved spiels. Over the years, he's dropped plenty of nuggets of wisdom on everything from grief and love to career expectations and more. If you're feeling reflective, we've gathered up some of Reeves's most memorable quotes over the years for some advice that is truly excellent.
On Being Underestimated
- "I don't know how much intelligence I have [6]."
- "I definitely have [7] a bit of the gypsy in me."
- "Money doesn't mean anything to me. I've made a lot of money, but I want to enjoy life [8] and not stress myself building a bank account. I give lots away and live simply, mostly out of a suitcase in hotels. We all know that good health is much more important."
On His Continuing Career
- "[I'll keep working] as far as my legs can take me. As far as the audience wants [9] to go."
- "The gruelling is the gift, right? That part of it – the time it takes, the effort, all the creative – there's so much collaboration in the action and people working together. It's such a pleasure [10]."
- "Honestly, I try not to do anything I don't want to do [11]."
On the Deep Questions
- "I know the ones who love us will miss us [after we die [12]]."
- [When asked the secret of staying "down-to-earth" [13]] "Gravity."
- "I always wanted to know — ever since I was growing up — who really wrote the plays of Shakespeare. So I wanna be there at that moment with "Shakespeare" — cause I don't really think it was "Shakespeare." I'm an Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford [guy]. So I'd like to be there in the 1600s "Shakespeare" writing Hamlet."
On Getting Through Tough Times
- "For the character [of John Wick] and in life, it's about the love of the person you're grieving for, and any time you can keep company with that fire, it is warm. I absolutely relate to that, and I don't think you ever work through it. Grief and loss, those are things that don't ever go away. They stay with you. [14]"
- "It's always with you, but like an ebb and flow."
On Creativity and Spirituality
- "I know I want to have truthful acting. Maybe that can turn into a truthful life [15]."
- "I guess if you collect some of those strings and hold them in one hand [16], it can tend to look like a bouquet."
- "Do I believe in God, faith, inner faith, the self, passion, and things? Yes, of course! I'm very spiritual [17] … Supremely spiritual … Bountifully spiritual … Supremely bountiful."
- "Energy can't be created or destroyed, and energy flows [18]. It must be in a direction, with some kind of internal, emotive, spiritual direction. It must have some effect somewhere… I do think there must be some kind of interaction between your living life and the life that goes on from here."