The name “ Keanu Reeves” is now one of the most recognizable names not only in Hollywood, but the world, with the John Wick star having been one of the most sought-after actors for decades. But things could have been very different. Rather than Keanu, which fits the man so perfectly with its meaning of “cool breeze over the mountains,” a wildly different moniker could have adorned posters for the likes of Speed, The Matrix, and the Baba Yaga saga.
Appearing on the “New Heights” podcast, Reeves, who is currently promoting his role as a struggling angel in the comedy Good Fortune, revealed that, at the start of his career, he considered changing his name at the behest of his manager.
“I got paid when I was like 16, so I was a professional actor around 16, 17 [years old],” Reeves said. “I was in Toronto, Canada, and then I got a manager who lived in Los Angeles…. At 20 years old, I drove in my car to Los Angeles. Got out of my car and my manager said, ‘We want to change your name.’ So that’s like, a welcome to Hollywood [moment]. I remember I was walking on the beach and I was just like, ‘My name? What if I change my name? What?’”
What’s in a Name? As It Turns Out, a Lot
And the name that Reeves concocted, believe it or not, was Chuck Spadina. One can’t help but wonder how that is better than Keanu Reeves. Also revealing that he was first credited in his earliest role as KC Reeves, the breathtaking actor was sent into an existential spiral over rejecting his name, and ultimately “couldn’t do it.” Which we can now all be thankful for, as it’s difficult to believe Chuck Spadina would have found anywhere near the same success as Keanu Reeves has.
“My middle name is Charles, so I was like, ‘…Chuck?’ And I grew up on a street called Spadina, [therefore] Chuck Spadina,” Reeves said. “And then I was something Templeton. So then I became KC Reeves. I was credited as KC Reeves… And then I couldn’t do it. So then I would be in auditions and they would go, ‘KC Reeves.’ And I wouldn’t even answer. Six months later, I was like, ‘I’m not doing this.’ That’s a Hollywood moment.”
Keanu Reeves has been a bona fide Hollywood A-lister for years, and while his career has suffered the peaks and troughs that come with an acting career, he has been more popular than ever since the release of the first John Wick in 2014. The actor currently has several projects in the pipeline, including the black comedy, Outcome, from director Jonah Hill, the satirical comedy The Entertainment System Is Down from Triangle of Sadness director Ruben Östlund, and his return as the titular dog-loving assassin in John Wick: Chapter 5.
Reeves can next be seen starring alongside Seth Rogen and Aziz Ansari in Good Fortune, which is in theaters from today and has been met with promising reviews from critics.
- Release Date
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October 17, 2025
- Runtime
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98 Minutes