Keanu Reeves Was Asked To Change His Name At Start Of His Career Because It Sounded ‘Too Ethnic’

Apr 11, 2023

Whoever hears the name Keanu Reeves would probably freak out. Well, that’s because his name has made a mark because of the projects he has done throughout the years. Maybe someone even named their babies after him. Who wouldn’t anyway? After all, he is not just a great actor, but an inspiring individual as well! But did you know that there came a point in his life when he was asked to change his name? One can only imagine how it would have turned out! But the great thing was he did not let those involved change his name!

Reeves was born on Sept. 2, 1964, in Beirut, Lebanon. From a young age, his father wasn’t a big part of his life, leaving the family during Reeves’ early childhood. According to Snopes, Reeves’ dad, Hawaiian Samuel Reeves, was still part of his life until he was 13, but then the star didn’t hear from him for about 10 years. His British-born mother, Patricia Taylor, was hardly one to settle down in one place for very long. The production designer moved her children away from their father in Hawaii as his crippling drug addiction became too much to handle.

Reeves is one of Hollywood’s finest men – and he’s also one of Hollywood’s nicest. On top of having a reputation for being so kind, Reeves is also a bonafide action star whose filmography speaks for itself. Some of his most well-known works include the “John Wick” and “The Matrix” franchises, as well as plenty of films in a variety of genres, such as romantic comedies, dramas and thrillers.

But on top of his never-changing good looks, another aspect of Reeves's appearance that has remained the same ever since he landed in Hollywood is his clothing. 

Rather than spending thousands of dollars on designer duds, Reeves has become known for keeping a rather utilitarian uniform that usually consists of blue jeans, a simple jacket and large beat-up boots. It might seem like an insignificant detail, but Reeves's outfit choices could be seen as a physical manifestation of how he sees himself — just like every other normal person. He doesn't need flashy clothes, cars or even luxury mansions, because he knows material possessions aren't the key to a happy life.

There are also plenty of examples out there that show just why Reeves is considered such a nice guy. From the time that he gave up his seat on the subway for a stranger and the various moments he’s shared with homeless people on the streets, listening to their stories, to the many donations he’s given to charities, Reeves is the epitome of a stand-up citizen. 

Reeves has also taken the time to show his cast and crew members on the films he’s been a part of how much they mean to him and how much he respects them and their time. It’s no wonder then that he’s been dubbed the “Internet’s boyfriend,” and it's why you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who isn’t on board with the “Keanussance.” 

In March 2023, Reeves did a guest spot on the SmartLess Podcast where he went on a trip down memory lane as he recalled what it was like for him starting out in Hollywood back in the '80s. According to Reeves, he was asked by his agents to change his name because it sounded “too ethnic.”

"I got my first car when I was 20, and I drove to Hollywood. Of course, when I got here, they wanted to change my name. Yeah, they were like, 'Keanu, it's too ethnic,’” he said.

Reeves admitted that he felt annoyed by what they told him.

“I remember I had driven across the country and I remember they told me... I was driving up and down along the beach in Santa Monica going, 'What the f***?'" he recalled.

It even came to a point where he tried using the initials of his first and middle name: Keanu Charles.

"I was like, 'OK, well, what's my name going to be?' And I was like, 'Templeton?' So, eventually, I came up with my first and middle initial, so I was K.C. Reeves. Oh, my god,” he said.

But Reeves ultimately decided to keep his name, revealing that he went back to his agent to tell them that he couldn’t change it.

"But then I had auditions and they'd be like, 'K.C.?' and I like wouldn't even look up. Eventually, I went back to my agents and I was like, 'I can't change my name,’” he remarked.

Reeves said one of the lines from a character he portrayed in a play he did during his younger years came back to him. That’s when it hit him that it wasn’t right for him to change his name. 

"One of the first plays I ever did, I was playing John Procter and one of the lines is like, 'Because it is my name, because I can have no other,' and that was just running through my head," he said.

In a past interview on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” he opened up about changing his name in the past.

"I go to the ocean, because this is a big deal for me, right? It's my name. It's my name!" he said.

When he told his managers he wanted to go for Templeton Page-Taylor, they felt unimpressed. 

What can you say about Keanu Reeves being asked to change his name? Do you think he was right for not letting his managers take control of his screen name? Let us know your thoughts and pass this on to people who might find this story interesting!