You so have me at points #7 and #12. Oh, and #38. Got to love it when it's all about the craft of one's profession, not the glam.

But why oh why that performance in Coppola's 'Dracula'? I do like the film despite being a lit student devoid of any imagination and thus always canning film adapatations of books, but Keanu's performance in it makes me cringe, despite my best efforts not to.

Perhaps he's an actor that everyone loves to hate, or heap crap on? By contrast, I've never heard anyone 'diss' him in either of the Bill & Ted films. That would be sacrilege, not to mention...bogus.

I have always given him all the credit in the world for putting himself out there in all sorts of genres, but I still think of him more as a performer than an actor, as all of his roles seem to riff off of one character.f Kind of like Ted after being sent to military school.....

I've always liked Keanu, and didn't know about the hockey puck story. Interesting stuff. Kissing Sandra Bullock with stitches must have been murder. WitC is one of my favorites.

But Orlando Bloom a "pussy boy"? You might be interested to read that he's a pretty tough guy under those eyelashes and dimples. He took a nasty fall off a horse while filming LotR (he did a lot of his own horse work and other stunts), having another rider land on top of him in heavy gear, which broke his rib. He was on set the next day fiming scenes where he had to run over rough terrain for hours. I think I'd rather kiss someone with stitches. The fact that Bloom survived a three-story fall when he was 21 and recovered from a broken back (among a host of other injuries throught his life including broken legs and three skull fractures) and has gone on to be as athletic and daring as he is pretty much shoots your "pussy boy" theory about him out of the water.

minor point on #6--Jean-Claude is Belgian, not German.

TOTALLY AGREE DUDE!

You forgot his classic Jonathan Harker in "Dracula" and also his turn as "Constantine." He's always coming up with surprising roles. My personal favorite was his minor character in "Parenthood," another role where he played a "dumb guy with a heart of gold."

I respect the man, both for his business acumen and his knowledge of his own limited range. Most of the time, he'll pick roles that fall within the kinds of things he can do without too much trouble. And when he does try to challenge himself (i.e. The Devil's Advocate, The Gift), it's at least fascinating to watch.

That doesn't make him a good actor, of course, but it makes him a fairly smart one. Which is more than we can say for Paul Walker, Freddie Prinze Jr., etc.

I've always been in love with Keanu. He's been underrated and often overlooked and that's okay because he hasn't been a real victim of the blood thirsty paparazzi, etc. Who needs bubble butt Cruise? Who even thinks Paul Walker can act? Imagine Keanu as Lestat vs. Cruise's poor, schlocky, tacky performance. Keanu in Silasian means raw sex on a stick.

I am fine with Keanu, dude, but...

"the man who would be Neo" already was Neo, unless you know of a fourth sequel. {shiver} Speaking of which, he picked the two Matrix ones. That's a negative.

"Has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They don't just give those out, you know."

Yes, they do. In order for a person to get a star on the Walk of Fame, he or she must agree to attend a presentation ceremony within five years of selection, and a $15,000 fee must be paid to the Trust for costs such as security at the star ceremony.

Ryan Seacrest and The Oleson twins have stars. Woody Allen and Stankey Kubrick do not. case closed.

"Name another supposedly "sucky" actor that has a college class named after him?"

The poetry of Tupac.

I still recall watching "Much Ado About Nothing.." when Keanu uttered the phrase: "I am a man of few words..." in his breathless, surfer-boy style. The entire audience then cheered ...ironically I hope.

Contrary to popular belief, has never won a Razzie Award

Yeah, he's only been nominated six times!!!!! LOL

He's never received and Oscar, Golden Globe or a Bafta nom ever, but he's still a good actor. I love him anyway :-)

Being the former boyfriend of David Geffen, the producer power house of showbiz certainly helped the native Hawaiian whose face seems dead since the Matrix triologies. The answer to that: bottox.
He can not put his forehead into wrinkles, one of the trademarks of stars like James Dean for example.
To even call that dude an actor is really an insult to the ones who have proven to the world that they can act.
And what were the producers thinking about putting him together with Sandra Bullock. That movie looks like Will & Grace on screen without the laughter in the background.
I just wish his best co-star ever was alive. We still miss River Phoenix. But Keanu really sucks.

10. Has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They don't just give those out, you know.

Actually, they do. All you have to do is just have your fan club raise enough money to buy it.

somehow, somewhere, at some point, I came to this way of thinking, too.... Glad to see someone break it down so scientifically!

El Bicho: "Stankey Kubrick"

Tee hee.

Ray Ellis: I know he's Belgian. But it's funnier with German.

To all that pointed out that you CAN buy a star on the Walk of Fame.... I KNOW! I was being ironical. Try not to take all of this too literally. I am after all, just writing about Keanu Reeves.

Nothing to add, really, but just by coincidence, within this last hour I just finished watching Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. Be excellent to each other, and party on, dudes!

I have #41 for you - how many actors cry CONVINCINGLY on screen? Keanu just did it in the Lake House. Now there's a MAN for you! Let's see Tom Cruise do that - maybe he could if they knocked all his teeth out. But then the rest of us would be laughing and not crying along with him.

Thank you for this article. Most of us, if we SUCK at our jobs, get FIRED! But almost every year there's a new Keanu flick. He's had 2 each of the last few years, except for 2004, but that's because he was filming Constantine, then A Scanner Darkly. I'd say producers and directors know a lot more about what makes real acting talent than the general public, so Keanu must be worth keeping on the payrolls.

Thank you for your article :-). I totally agree with you. I'm a big fan of Keanu Reeves. And I have some friends that like him very much too. Here in Brazil (I live in Rio) he has a lot of fans but there are some people that don't like him. And your article is perfect to say that Keanu is a great, gentle, humble and nice man. And YES, he is a good actor.

PS: The Lake House is opening in Brazil in August. I'm looking foward for this movie :).

Let's just say... you don't want to anger Orlando Bloom Fangirls. I would like to personally defend Orlando as being a non-pussy boy. I think the man has broken just about every bone in his body... and has bounced back from a broken spine with temporary parapelegic consequences. He, as some one mentioned before, fell from a horse breaking a rib, and was back to film the next day. I am an x-ray tech...and let me tell you.. most people that come in with bruised or broken ribs can barely breathe let alone run across rocky terrain for hours.

Next time you want to call someone a pussy-boy... I suggest you pick on someone else...(and preferably less handsome, not to mention down to earth nice). Leave Orlando...AND his eyelashes out of your love for WOOOAAHH....

I would like to personally defend Orlando as being a non-pussy boy

There are so many directions I could go with this statement. But, for the sake of light hearted good humer, let's just say that Orlando is a man's man as well as a woman's man.

You talk about his range, but there definitely is a standard Keanu character: the supernatural/scifi "key to the future". Johnny Mnemonic, The Devil's Advocate, The Matrix (x3), and Constantine all had fairly similar lead characters, awestruck at the convergence of spiritual forces. (Two of those movies were excellent though, so you've got to give him some credit.)

A handful more things to add to your list:

*Bought each stuntperson on the Matrix movies a motorcycle as a thank you.

*Returned $1 million back to the production for (part of) Al Pacino's salary in "The Devil's Advocate" and another $1 million for (part of) Charlize Theron's salary in "Sweet November."

*Spent much of the '80's, when not working, sitting by a hospital bed with his sister Kim (a leukemia patient).

*Gives VERY liberally to charities.

*Provided the introduction to the film "All About Karma" and the narration (with Alanis Morissette) for the documentary "The Great Warming" (about global warming & other environmental issues).

*Has worked for scale (after making it big) several times in order to be in a movie he felt was worthy/interesting ("Thumbsucker," "The Last Time I Committed Suicide," at least)

*From the Beacon Journal, 3-15-06:

"Life Imitates Art

Keanu Reeves is a hero off-screen as well as on, reports The Week.

At a California supermarket recently, he saw two teens pointing at a female cashier's name tag and sneering, 'Ukee. What kinda name is Ukee?'

Reeves told the toughs to show the woman 'some respect.'

They whirled around and gaped. 'Hey, it's the Matrix guy!' one said.

'That's right,' Reeves replied in his best Neo voice. 'And if you guys don't beat it, you'll be dealing with me.'

They fled, says the mag."

One other point: over a 20-year career, you're bound to work with a good number of top names. I was just checking John Goodman on IMDb. I don't think anyone would call him a great actor, but he's been in the business for 20 years too. He's worked with: Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter, Tim Robbins, Paul Newman, Denzel Washington, Philip Seymour Hoffman, George Clooney, Robert De Niro, and Kevin Spacey, all of whom are Oscar winners. There are probably others, and I didn't check directors.

Yes, Keanu has worked with Charlize Theron, Sandra Bullock, and Rachel Weisz more than once. That doesn't make him smart or a good actor. He's smart enough to say, "I want to roll around on a bed with Charlize Theron some more", but what guy isn't?

On comment #24: John Goodman may not be a Great Actor, but he's a hell of a character actor. Anyone who wishes to dispute that, I kindly direct you to watch Barton Fink and thus eat your words.

It hard to understand why people do not get Keanu Reeves. He simply is!!! I was a gonner when I saw him in Little Buddah and Private Idaho. You have to draw real deep for those two roles. Almost as deep as Edward Norton in American History X. When a performance leaves you with goose bumps or the willies, the ACTOR has done his job!!! Please no to a sequel of Constantine, although it sounds as though he really wants to. He's the only actor who can say to his fellow craftsmen, whoo dude, what were ya thinking when you took that role. Notice how Sandra Bullock is ticked off in interviews when Speed 2 comes up? Just as she stated, He Has Really Good People Surrounding Him. Simply He Is! The man has yet to choose a BAD PROJECT!! Fan for life!!!!

I totally agree with you that Keanu is a great actor. I have seen almost all of his movies and I have never been disappointed with his craft.

One minor point (again) about Jean Claude van Damme. As said in comment #4 he is Belgian not German. Why is it funnier in German? I speak Dutch, Flemish and German and I can tell you the name does not mean anything in any of these languages.

"Why is it funnier in German?"
Anything German is funny--it's immediately associated with that wonderfully jovial sense of Teutonic humor we've all come to know and love and only follow orders from.

Now Abe Vigoda was a GREAT character actor. Goodman is a puffa-lump.

keanu is so awesome. every movie he does he plays the part well. i literally hated the serial killer part he performed, which means he did a great job. it was breath taking to see the other side of his acting. constantine and the lake house are my favorites. he literally put some life into the scripts. shame on anyone for dissing this beautiful man. you could only be so lucky to step where he steps. tom cruise could not hold a candle to this man in looks or in acting a part. keanu you are a beautiful person, inside and out, it can be seen in your eyes. i place you right there with al pacino and paul newman. and that is a very high place to be.

I forgot to say that I'm a fan of Orlando Bloom too. And I'm going to agree with some people here, Orlando is not a pussyboy.
Orlando is also a very nice man and a good actor. So, I like Orlando and Keanu Reeves. Actors from different generations, but both are men down on earth.

PS: Sorry about my English; is not so good.

Has anyone else read or heard that back in early 2005, around the time Keanu was promoting Constantine, some crazed male fan was stalking Keanu? He hung around Keanu's Hollywood Hills home while it was being remodeled in hopes of seeing Keanu and he followed Keanu to different movie premieres. He tried to get into contact with Keanu numerous times and even found out Keanu's cell phone number so Keanu had to change it. This was in the news and I saw it on The Insider. Apparently Keanu tried to keep the news private but it got leaked out. And as usual the police said nothing could be done unless the guy came into contact with Keanu. But the police finally did something about it when the guy was found trying to break into Keanu's house. The police researched into the guy's background and he had a prior conviction for theft. The police later found a shrine of Keanu's pictures along with handcuffs, weapons and gay pornography at the man's apartment, appearantly he had sick plans for Keanu. God, I'm glad he never got the chance to carry out those plans. Keanu has been through so much in his life and he coertainly doesn't need some sicko trying to hurt him. Thank God he's okay. Sandra Bullock too, had a stalker after her and she recently pleaded with the courts to extend the restraining order against him. Man, there are some sick people out there!

How could you possibly think John Goodman is a bad actor? He was Walter in The Big Lebowski!

Shomer Shabbis!

I do think Keanu Reeves is a brilliant actor, and you are right - not many actors can convincingly cry on-screen. However, he isn't alone in this skill.
Johnny Depp was very convincing in "Benny and Joon" and "The man who cried". He also gave a great performance in "The Brave".

Who cares about Johnny Depp's crying in movies or any other actor for that matter. This article is about Keanu and I say he's a good actor with great movies and astounding popularity. He's made his mark and he's an icon. People either love him or hate him. So what? He's still going to be laughing all the way to the bank while his critics pop veins in their foreheads trying to convince people he's a lousy actor so what's the point?

24. Has made movies in every single genre.

He's never been in a musical. I love the man but God forbid he's ever in one.

He has made a musical: "Babes in Toyland," complete with singing.

Yeah, he seems like a nice guy. But c'mon. His acting is god awful. There's nothing to prove the opposite. Every role he has ever done makes me cringe to watch him try so hard and fail.

I wish him all the best, but he sure does suck on the screen.

I feel like standing up and applauding. It's about time someone recognized the talent and uniqueness of Keanu Reeves. He has looks, brains, talent, an eye for scripts, and he's a nice guy.

No wonder they all hate him!

And to "Major Tom": you need to check your facts, dear. Keanu was NEVER David Geffen's boyfriend, fiance or anything else, and unless you have info that no one else does, Keanu is not vain enough to get Botox injections. Keanu is NOT a "Native Hawaiian". He's Canadian.

I truly like Keanu and his way of acting, it is unique and instantly recognizable. My true appreciation and love goes to You - Keanu, looking forward many movies w/ You starring.
Thank You!

Keanu is so pretty I just want to lick him from head to toe.

I wish people wouldn't say bad things about keanu. He just doing his job the best way he can. Personaly i will always think that he is a great actor,no matter whot people say,it doesn't change how i feel about Mr.Keanu Reeves. got that? good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think whatever you do in this world there are always people out there who will try and make life difficult. For a celebrity, it must be hard because they just can't have the privacy that everyone in this world so rightly deserves. They will get nice comments made about them and bad comments made about them, but as keanu quoted "The simple act of paying attention can take you a long way" and these people that spread bad gossip should pay more attention to their own lives. keanu has made some good films and I think it's important for him to be remembered for the great entertainment he has provided over the years. I don't know the guy, but he seems a respectful person and respect goes a long way in this world. Usually, when people pass judgement and try to bring people down, it's because of Jealousy!!! so chill out and let people be.

Just because I like a good argument and I know what good acting is:

1. I've never seen The Gift, so I have nothing to say for that.
2. Okay
3. Giving money to finish a movie makes you a nice guy, not a good actor... This fact is irrelevant.
4. Good for him... Irrelevant.
5. Again this is irrelevant.
6. Your name doesn't make you a good actor... Irrelevant.
7. So he's committed and can endure pain. Admirable in a person, but doesn't mean you're a talented actor... Irrelevant.
8. Good taste doesn't make you a good actor... Irrelevant.
9. Again, good taste doesn't make you a good actor... Irrelevant.
10. No, they don't.
11. So he admits he is dumb. Big deal... Irrelevant.
12. Just because there are actors who are worse than he is doesn't make him good... Irrelevant.
13. You'll also notice that in most of those films he was the same character.
14. Good for him... Irrelevant.
15. I never saw it.
16. Your opinion on a line doesn't make him a good actor... Irrelevant.
17. What you do behind the camera does not make you a good actor... Irrelevant.
18. I've managed to keep a straight face through all of your supposed facts that consider him to be a good actor. That takes talent too. Keeping a straight face means you are good with self discipline, which is needed for acting, but it doesn't make you good at it... Irrelevant.
19. What a lucky guy... Irrelevant.
20. Big deal, one of the character's he's been. There is a big difference between who you play and who you are... Irrelevant.
21. Actually, a good actor challenges himself. He works as hard as possible to become something he isn't. The fact that he is not willing to try to become better does not make him talented.
22. What does this have to do with his acting?... Irrelevant.
23. It's someone's opinion not a concrete fact. I have my own opinion as well. Just because he's famous for critiquing doesn't mean his opinion is any more important thant mine is... Irrelevant.
24. Big deal... Irrelevant.
25. The character's you've been don't make you good, it's how convincing you are at being them. I haven't seen him as Buddha and I already said I haven't seen the Bill & Tedd movie, so I can't comment on that, but what I first said still goes... Irrelevant.
26. So?... Irrelevant.
27. I haven't seen him as every single one of these, but I have seen some, and from what I saw he was the same in all of them. I'm not impressed.
28. So you're saying that my brother's karate teacher is a good actor because you don't want to "screw" with him? NO!... Irrelevant.
29. Once again, good taste does NOT make you a good actor... Irrelevant.
30. And I bet he'd be the same a playing them too... Irrelevant.
31. I don't see any obvious acting talent... And again, what you do behind the camera does not make you a talented actor... Irrelevant.
32. What does this have to do with talent?... Irrelevant.
33. You're right, it doesn't. But yes, he is good-looking... Irrelevant.
34. That's your opinion, not fact... Irrelevant.
35. You're point?... Irrelevant.
36. Having a good moral character does not make you talented... Irrelevant.
37. I'll have to look more into that.
38. "21. Knows his acting limitations and, in doing so, does not try to overextend himself in roles he couldn't do. This means not only are his movies better, but so is every movie he turns down. He's making movies he's NOT in better - someone give it up for this man." <-- Tries new things, eh? And actually they are others that do push themselves. Keanu DOES coast along on generic roles or on one's that he has already done! And I hope you realize you have contradicted yourself... And you can be devoted to something and still not be good at it, of course you will get better with time, but we are talking about the here and now, so... Irrelevant.
39. Again, someone's opinion is not fact... Irrelevant.
40. Not all, and this doesn't make him talented... Irrelevant.

I'm going to be honest with you, this didn't change my view on him at all. He may be a good person yes, but he still "sucks" at acting. I have studied acting and I know a good actor when I see one. The fact that he has done well in a role or two does not mean he is a good actor. If I had to say at least one thing you have done to change my mind about something, it would be the fact that you have made me dislike typing the word "irrelevant," since that is what the majority of your points were. You didn't really put on a good argument, though I do appreciate the fact that you did try.

Thank-you for proving this! I enjoyed reading this as it really does prove that lovely Reeves is far from 'sucky' I love him and his work. So thanks. You did a great job and anyone who disagrees should feck off. So thankyou!

Absolutely agree on almost every point you mentioned. Have been a major Keanu Fan before and will be a more determined Keanu-Fan by your article which was absolutely wonderful written. Loved the humour in your words. Let's summerize: Keanu is a great actor and a wonderful human being.

Absolutely delicious, The Jay! All points very well said and long overdue.

I do suggest adding a #28-A, however: "He's a goalie. He wields the big stick and wears ALL the pads. So, you know, don't screw with him."

Much fun. Thanks.

I am a strong Keanu Reeves supporter and
he has been wise about his choice for movie roles!
One powerful point this blog makes, is that Keanu Reeves is still around! He has been passing the Hollywood test of time! The harder the critics bash him, the stronger he will get! Keanu Reeves can laugh all the way to the bank and he has a tremendous fan base. The matrix had such an impact on me, that I designed my own website around the concept. I have one last thing to say, "Excellent!" As Reeves would say, "You either dig me, or you don't"

DeWayne(FilmFreak)

-Check out my neon green site and my reference to Keanu Reeves at the bottom of my site... Cheers!

oh dear!

will keanu reeves.. HE IS a good performaig

i love his life style full of mystreous

and his role choose.. ya he is talent. althoug

smart!

ya we all remmber him in (dude) which it

was the most funniest childresh movie

for us 80's genration we ejoy this movie alot

in the malinume.. matrix did that

bzar and give us a new pic obout the future

without including the allianes :)

1st i would like to thanx the writer 4 this

article. and it was really good point

am from saudi arabia.. and keanu reeves

has more fans than brad pit or tom curise

in my openion .. thats make him

a real super star

but infurtunatley the academy aware

didn't be fear with him by never give him

a ward :(

i hope this year

is the year

of keanu reeves


best wishes

I found this article pretty late but couldnt resist commenting.

Keanu is a fabulous actor. I think he is considered boring because he becomes 'invisible' in the roles he plays. He is totally convincing as a superhero, a quarterback, a serial killer (quite chilling actually), a wifebeating redneck (VERY chilling lol)and a demon hunter. When you watch him in a film, he doesnt make a huge impact on screen - which means he is GOOD at his job. He becomes part of a story which then gets told very well (by the fabulous directors he works with) AND he allows his co-stars to shine too.

If you watch a Tom Cruise vehicle, then the whole film is about showcasing him and making him look good (he's a good actor too). When I watch one of Tom's films, I am aware that Tom is playing a role - albeit very well - but its too obvious for me.

Come on now, it must be taking a huge stretch of the imagination to take Keanu's popularity amongst fans, actors and directors alike and make that something negative? In my opinion, anyone who writes Keanu off as a bad actor isnt really a film fan - you are just buying into the notion of celebrity and how they are expected to be larger than life. A humble guy honing his craft isnt exciting enough for you guys I guess?

Its a simple equation - if the guy who played Ted so well that people think thats how he is in real life can then turn around and also play Neo convincingly - how could he possibly not be a good actor?

I have to agree. He's rarely given enough credit for his abilities. If anyone has any doubts just watch an early film of his, 'Permanent Record'. It's a bit of a teen flick but worth sitting through.

Please don't argue, everybody have their own talents and weaknesses. You cannot argue on it, we ourselves have it both. It's not wise to argue about it. After all, Keanu did sacrifice lot of things to get to the top and learn from his hardship, how about us? I am not trying to be in either any of your side. Read a lot about Keanu Reeves so this is my views. There's always price to pay to gain any success. GOd knows Keanu is a tough, brave and good guy, HE knows his strength, that's why he was tested with so many things. Fortunately with the love around him, he managed to pass them all. That's good. You'll have nothing to loose when you tell good things about people, good things grow... Good day everyone!

The fact that you have to write an article to convince me that Keanu is a good actor, just proves to me that he is a horrible actor. He may be good at one thing-and thats picking roles. Just pretty much stick with the dumb slacker or the guy that doesn't know whats going on and he's set, for the most part. He tried it with Dracula (John-the solicitor that's trying to figure out whats going on), but alas, failed, since this character has more depth than Keanu can display. Plus, accents are NOT his thing. If it wasn't for Gary Oldman's performance, the whole movie would've been sunk. Keanu-one of the worst actors in hollywood. Please, either stop acting or stay away from my favourite actors so I never have to see you in a movie again! Though, Speed and The Matrix were pretty b*tchn, props for that

The man has made 50 films and you're using Dracula to put him down. That says it all.

His performance in Dracula was not just bad, it was quite embarrassingly bad -- which is to say I would be embarrassed about it myself if it were my own performance, and I'm not a professional actor. BUT (and this is a big but) he got away with it, and I think it says a lot about the man that his career didn't die right on the spot, so that anybody who roundly criticizes him really ought to pay attention to how successful he has gotten since. Looks alone don't do it; there are plenty of pretty people all over SoCal aspiring to be where Keanu is now, and not standing a chance.

But it doesn't follow from just this that he is brilliant. Being a good guy and a joy to work with, for instance, can count for very much, as well as picking the right sorts of roles for one's particular strengths. Being able to sell tickets also helps. But none of those things alone can speak very much for one's grasp acting as a craft, and THAT's a little harder to get at, and is a little harder to "prove." But I think it's easy to know WHO they are -- they're the ones, living or dead, who actors themselves not only speak well of, but might genuinely look up to. I don't think Keanu's really the kind of actor who inspires THAT kind of reaction, but it doesn't mean that he's bad at what he does.

Now, personally, I cannot think of a single actor of that caliber who has made me feel downright embarrassed for them in a movie the way Keanu did in Dracula. Sometimes they might be wooden, or poorly directed or otherwise off the mark, but not downright dreadful. Perhaps Keanu has sometimes bitten off more than he can chew, so that his risk-taking has earned him a great career -- has enabled him to become a real star -- has earned him nearly as many detractors as fans in the process.

*Shrug* I do think he's gotten better over the years and benefits from good company. I thought he was really good in Devil's Advocate