New reports say that Hollywood nice guy, Keanu Reeves, donated the majority of his salary for the original Matrix film to cancer research. Reeves, who rose to prominence in the 1990s off the back of his performances in films like Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Point Break, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and Speed, was cast in as Neo in 1999’s The Matrix after the role was turned down by Will Smith. Considered one of the most influential films of the 20th century, the original Matrix earned multiple awards and was openly praised by big-name filmmakers such as James Cameron, Quentin Tarantino, and Christopher Nolan for its inventive storytelling and groundbreaking visual effects.
Reeves, who in more recent years has continued his run as a fan-favorite action hero in the John Wick franchise, recently returned to the Matrix franchise in the series’ fourth installment, The Matrix: Resurrections. Despite having his character killed off at the conclusion of 2003’s The Matrix: Revolutions, writer and director Lana Wachowski reunited Reeves with his original co-star, Carrie-Ann Moss, in a new film that takes place 60 years after the events of the original trilogy. Since its December 22 release, the franchise’s latest entry has already managed to gross over $105 million in worldwide box office and is also set to release in China later this month.
Now, new reports currently sweeping the web say that Reeves gave 70 percent of his $45 million salary for playing Neo in the original film to leukemia research. According to Lad Bible (via the NY Post), Reeves received $10 million upfront and a further $35 million after the film’s release, and he later quietly donated $31.5 million out of his Matrix paycheck. According to these reports, Reeves had a personal connection with the cause, as his younger sister Kim had been battling the disease since 1991 and had spent a decade undergoing treatment before entering remission in 2001. The star would also go on to quietly set up his own non-profit foundation which supported children’s hospitals and cancer research.
This latest news of Reeves’ continuing benevolence probably comes as little surprise for fans of the beloved actor. Well known for his generosity and casual manner, Reeves has repeatedly earned himself a reputation as one of the nicest guys in Hollywood with a long list of good deeds to his name. From stories of him helping John Wick crew members shift heavy film equipment, to tales of him renting a minibus to help out his fellow stranded passengers, it seems that new accounts of Reeves’ good heart and warm nature make their way out into the world every other day.
As far from the stereotypical image of Hollywood prima-donna as one could get, probably the best part of this latest story is the simple fact it is only just now coming to light after two decades. Clearly not feeling the need to draw attention to or advertise his donations, the actor’s astounding generosity is matched only by his continued sense of humility. Reeves’ enormous fanbase will probably be the first to suggest that for every good news story people hear about The Matrix star, there are probably many, many more which he has chosen to keep quiet.
Source: Lad Bible (via the NY Post)