Keanu Reeves will celebrate his 58th birthday today (September 2) and the Canadian film star has had a stellar career including roles in Much Ado About Nothing, The Matrix and John Wick.
Keanu, who was born in Beirut in Lebanon and grew up in Canada, has also won top awards at movie ceremonies including an MTV movie award for Most Desirable Male for his role in 1992 movie Point Break.
Aside from his glittering career, Keanu has faced a number of personal tragedies outside of the spotlight, including the death of his girlfriend and the loss of his daughter.
Here’s everything you need to know about Keanu’s tragic life, from devastating heartbreak to finding love again.
Keanu Reeves’ troublesome childhood
(Image: ABC)
Before he rose to fame during his acting career, Keanu had a troubled life.
The Matrix star’s father walked out when he was just three years old – before he was put in prison for drug offences.
His dad was arrested for possession of heroin and cocaine, and sentenced to ten years in jail in 1994 before being released in 1996. They no longer speak.
Keanu told Rolling Stone in 2000: “The story with me and my dad’s pretty heavy. It’s full of pain and woe and f***ing loss and all that s***.”
During Keanu’s career, he has seen people close to him die in horrific circumstances – including drug abuse – but these experiences have shaped the actor into the kind person that he is today.
The actor is considered to be one of the nicest men in Hollywood, often making headlines for his generosity.
Keanu reportedly gave a $20,000 bonus to a Matrix set builder after learning the member of staff was having financial troubles and he is known for giving lavish gifts to charities and food service workers.
The tragic loss of his ex-girlfriend and his daughter
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Keanu met actress Jennifer Syme in 1999 and they soon began a blossoming romance.
Jennifer then fell pregnant later that year with the couple’s child, a daughter called Ava.
However, six months into the pregnancy, their perfect family came crashing down when they discovered little Ava had died in the womb.
She was delivered on Christmas Eve and Jennifer battled with post-natal depression in the face of the couple’s devastating loss.
The overwhelming grief caused a huge rift in the relationship and the pair broke up, although were believed to be working towards a reconciliation when Jennifer was tragically killed in a car accident in 2001.
The 28-year-old died instantly when she was on her way to a party at Marilyn Manson’s house.
Heartbroken Keanu was one of Jennifer’s pallbearers as she was laid to rest beside their daughter and in 2006, he opened up about the agonising depths of his pain, telling Parade magazine: “Grief changes shape, but it never ends.
“People have a misconception that you can deal with it and say, ‘It’s gone, and I’m better’. They’re wrong. When the people you love are gone, you’re alone.”
“I miss being a part of their lives and them being part of mine. I wonder what the present would be like if they were here – what we might have done together. I miss all the great things that will never be.”
Finding love after heartbreak
(Image: Getty)
Keanu found love once again following his previous heartbreak when he met artist Alexandra Grant in 2020.
The couple first appeared on the red carpet together last year in a rare loved-up display for the famously private star.
Keanu and Alexandra are thought to live together at the actor’s $8million (£6.9m) Hollywood Hills mansion in Los Angeles.
However, his heart-breaking past has clearly left scars on The Matrix actor.
In an interview with the Guardian in 2018 he said: “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.
“It’s always with you, but like an ebb and flow.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
