In a recent interview on the “New Heights<\/a>” podcast Oct. 15, the 61-year-old “John Wick” star discussed his early days in Hollywood and the many stage names he tried before choosing to keep his name.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “At 20 years old, I drove in my car to Los Angeles. Got out of my car and my manager said, \u2018We want to change your name.\u2019 So, that\u2019s like, a welcome to Hollywood [moment]. I remember I was walking on the beach, and I was just like, \u2018My name? What if I change my\u00a0name? What?\u2019”<\/p>\n ROSIE O’DONNELL NAMES HOLLYWOOD A-LISTER AS HER WORST INTERVIEW ON LIVE TELEVISION<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n He then recalled trying to come up with a stage name, originally deciding on Chuck Spadina, combining his middle name, Charles, and the Toronto street he grew up on.<\/p>\n Reeves said he almost changed his name to Chuck Spadina. (Tim P. Whitby\/Getty Images for Lionsgate UK)<\/p>\n Chuck Spadina didn\u2019t last long. Another name was suggested.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Then I was something Templeton,” he said. He and his team eventually landed on a new idea.<\/p>\n “So, then I became KC Reeves. I was credited as KC Reeves,” he said. “And then I couldn\u2019t do it. So, then I would be in auditions, and they would go, \u2018KC Reeves.\u2019 And I wouldn\u2019t even answer. Six months later, I was like, \u2018I\u2019m not doing this.\u2019 That\u2019s a Hollywood moment.”<\/p>\n “At 20 years old, I drove in my car to Los Angeles. Got out of my car and my manager said, \u2018We want to change your name.\u2019 So, that\u2019s like a welcome to Hollywood [moment].”<\/p>\n \u2014 Keanu Reeves<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Reeves appeared in several TV movies in 1986 and 1987 before landing a role in the 1988 drama “Dangerous Liaisons.” He became a household name as Ted in “Bill & Ted\u2019s Excellent Adventure” in 1989.<\/p>\n His breakout role in the 1989 movie led to starring roles in “Point Break,” “Speed” and “The Matrix” franchise<\/a>, cementing his status as one of Hollywood’s leading men. He is currently starring as a guardian angel in the comedy “Good Fortune.”<\/p>\n Reeves starred in “The Matrix” franchise. (Ronald Siemoneit\/Sygma\/Sygma via Getty Images)<\/p>\n LIKE WHAT YOU\u2019RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The actor walked the red carpet at the premiere of “Good Fortune” Oct. 13 with his girlfriend, Alexandra Grant, who recently addressed rumors the two had secretly gotten married this year<\/a>. She addressed the rumors in an Instagram post featuring a photo of the two of them kissing while visiting Roden Crater, an art installation in Arizona.<\/p>\n “This is a real photo. Not an engagement photo or an AI wedding announcement… simply a kiss! (Albeit maybe the moment right before or after it… given the slightly goofy expressions on our faces!),” she wrote in the caption. “We’re at Roden Crater, and Keanu and Gard had just finished interviewing James Turrell for Visionaries.<\/p>\n Grant recently shut down rumors she and Reeves secretly got married. (John Nacion\/Variety via Getty Images)<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “I’m sharing it here to say thank you to everyone for the congratulations on our wedding. Except we didn\u2019t get married. Good news is much needed these days, but it’s still fake news, so be careful out there! So, here’s a bit of real happiness! Real photo by Brian Skope.”<\/p>\n Rumors of a wedding started in June 2025 after Grant was wearing a ring while walking the red carpet with Reeves at the premiere of “Ballerina.”<\/p>\n![\"Keanu](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/keanu-reeves-ballerina-premiere.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n
![\"Carrie-Anne](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/keanu-reeves-the-matrix.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Alexandra](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/keanu-reeves-alexandra-grant-good-fortune.jpg\")
<\/p>\n