Keanu Reeves reveals the stage names he almost used in early Hollywood
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Keanu Reeves candidly describes his “welcome to Hollywood” moment at the beginning of his career.
In a recent interview “New PeaksIn the Oct. 15 podcast, the 61-year-old “John Wick” star opened up about his early days in Hollywood and the many stage names he tried out before opting to keep his name.
“I got paid when I was 16, so I was a professional player at 16-17 [years old]“I was in Toronto, Canada, and then I found a manager who lived in Los Angeles,” Reeves said.
“When I was 20, I drove to Los Angeles. I got out of my car and my agent said, ‘We want to change the name.’ So it’s like a welcome to Hollywood.” [moment]. I remember walking on the beach and I said, ‘My name? What happens if I change my name? What?'”
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He later recalled trying to come up with a stage name, initially settling on Chuck Spadina, combining his middle name Charles with the Toronto street on which he grew up.
Reeves said he almost changed his name to Chuck Spadina. (Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for Lionsgate UK)
Chuck Spadina didn’t last long. Another name has been suggested.
“I was something like Templeton then,” he said. He and his team eventually came up with a new idea.
“That’s how I became KC Reeves. I became known as KC Reeves,” he said. “And then I couldn’t do it. Then I’d audition and they’d be like, ‘KC Reeves.’ And I wasn’t even going to answer. Six months later I was like, ‘I’m not doing this.’ It’s a Hollywood moment.”
“When I was 20, I drove to Los Angeles. I got out of my car and my agent said, ‘We want to change the name.’ So it’s like a welcome to Hollywood kind of thing.” [moment]”
Reeves appeared in several TV movies in 1986 and 1987, and then starred in the 1988 drama “Dangerous Liaisons.” He became a household name with his role as Ted in “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” in 1989.
His breakout role in the 1989 film led to starring roles in “Point Break,” “Speed” and the “The Matrix” franchise, cementing his status as one of Hollywood’s leading men. He currently plays the guardian angel in the comedy movie “Good Fortune”.
Reeves starred in “The Matrix” series. (Ronald Siemoneit/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images)
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The actor walked the red carpet with girlfriend Alexandra Grant at the “Good Fortune” premiere on Oct. 13, addressing rumors that the two secretly tied the knot this year. She addressed the rumors in an Instagram post that included a photo of them kissing while visiting Roden Crater, an art installation in Arizona.
“This is a real photo. Not an engagement photo or an AI wedding announcement… just a kiss! (Maybe right before or after… judging by the slightly goofy expressions on our faces!),” she wrote in her caption. “We are in Roden Crater and Keanu and Gard had just finished interviewing James Turrell for Visionaries.
Grant recently denied rumors that he and Reeves were secretly married. (Variety via John Nacion/Getty Images)
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“I’m sharing this here to thank everyone who congratulated us on our wedding. But we didn’t get married. Good news is so needed these days, but it’s still fake news, so be careful! Here’s some real happiness! Real photo taken by Brian Skope.”
Wedding rumors began in June 2025, when Grant wore rings while walking the red carpet with Reeves at the premiere of the movie “Ballerina.”
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The couple confirmed their relationship in November 2019 when they appeared together on the red carpet at the LACMA Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles. A source told People at the time that Reeves ” I am extremely happy and grateful. “I want Alex to be in your life.”
