S Poddar
As for Keanu Reeves, the actor left fans watching him on the One Show aghast after openly discussing just having turned 60. Global fans have grown up and followed his landmark movies, such as Speed,, The Matrix,, and Bill & Ted. Reeves has been an actor for almost four decades after his breakthrough in a 1986 film. However, when he discussed the milestone age, many people were skeptical. For fans, his timeless appearance has long been an issue of wonder.
In an interview with The One Show, on Wednesday, Reeves discussed his new book that he has collaborated on with British author China Mieville, called The Book of Elsewhere. However, the conversation quickly shifted to his opinions about his accomplishments personally. “It’s 10 years of John Wick, and 25 years of The Matrix—and I turned 60,” he said. Host Alex Jones, shocked, responded incredulously, “You can’t be 60!
A classic Keanu moment here, as he just referred to it, “I’m 60 years old,” that only Jones could make sense of by saying, “Wow, well it is 30 years since Speed. Past viewers echoed her amazement, with one informing X (formerly Twitter), “Wow, Keanu does not look 60.” Another viewer, Martin, sat there in admiration by posting, “Keanu Reeves, one of the good guys. How is he 60? All these communications that kept pouring in were like love letters, all acclaiming Reeves to be ever untainted by time.
As a close friend and co-star, Sandra Bullock knew Reeves better than most. During the show, Reeves said he just caught up with Bullock to mark Speed’s 30th anniversary. “It was so nice. Sandra Bullock and I get along so well, and it’s always nice to see her,” he shared. It was great just to hang out for a little while. That is a friendship that has endured over the years; the fans appreciate the natural chemistry that these guys showed on the screen with Speed, which remains an action classic loved by the fans.
Aside from talking about his past, Reeves openly shared what’s been in his mind lately and, of course, that issue about mortality. Earlier this year, he openly said how often he found himself contemplating life’s finiteness. “I’m 59, so I’m thinking about death all the time,” he admitted in an earlier interview. When a BBC reporter jokingly brushed off his comment by saying he was still young, Reeves chuckled and said, “I’m young-old.” He continued with a touch of philosophical reflection, saying, “Hopefully, it’s not crippling but hopefully is sensitised to an appreciation of the breath we have and the relationships that we have the potential to have.”
Although Reeves is not held by the number, he has a few roles that he believes he has missed as he grew older. One dream that he now thinks is unreachable is playing the legendary superhero Batman. Reeves confessed on The One Show, “That ship has sailed, but his fans continue to have dreams about seeing him venture into new heights, as his popularity seems to never cease.”.
In an industry where age often greatly determines which roles are lined up, Reeves’s ageless appeal and ability to transcend generations has kept him relevant. Indeed, the recent comment about his ageless look is hardly surprising coming from fans who praise him as one of the most “down-to-earth” and “genuine” Hollywood stars. Not to mention his humility and kindness, traits his co-stars and fans talk about so much.
Besides his acting career, Reeves has been more open about his philosophical side and shared thoughts about life being transitory, impelling his audience to appreciate what they have and where they are in life. It is unimaginable these days how he stays healthy, youthful, yet able to relate with much of the same energy, and yet his authentic nature and the ability to always keep things real make him popular enough. After four decades under the spotlight, one can truly say Keanu Reeves has earned a place in the fans’ hearts, transcending time.
Catch The One Show, Monday to Thursday at 7 p.m. on BBC One, which offers many more such chances to spot an inspiring show and there’s another episode with Reeves who never fails to surprise.
