These days in Italy the world of cinema is at the center of attention: in Venice we saw the presence of Angelina Jolie, George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Brad Pitt, to name just a few.
September 2nd Keanu Reeves, one of the most beloved actors in the world, has turned 60.
Just three titles, known to all in the long list of films in which he acted: “The Devil’s Advocate”, “Sweet November” and the “Matrix” saga, where he played the fascinating character Neo admirably.
The Canadian-American actor, director, film producer and musician missed the first twenty minutes of the party dedicated to the end of the shooting of his new film in a New York club. He had waited patiently in the rain to be let in, no one recognized him.
The club owner said: “I didn’t even know Keanu was standing in the rain waiting to be let in, he didn’t say anything to anyone.”
Travel by public transport, communicate easily with homeless people on the streets and help them.
He can simply eat a hot dog in the park, sitting among ordinary people.
After one of the “Matrix” movies, he gave all the stuntmen a new motorcycle, in recognition of their skill.
He waived most of his compensation for the salaries of the costume designers and special effects designers on “The Matrix,” believing their share of the film’s budget was underestimated.
He cut his fee for the film “The Devil’s Advocate” to be able to invite Al Pacino, who stars alongside him and Charlize Theron.
Almost at the same time he lost his friend River Phoenix, who the no longer young will remember from the TV series “Family Ties” or the film “Stand by Me”, who died of an overdose at the age of 23, and his sister fell ill with leukemia. Their parents separated when they were still young, so the two brothers have always supported each other and been a point of reference for each other. Keanu has never stopped taking care of his sister, who is also his greatest confidant.
He donated five million dollars to the clinic that treated her, refused to travel (to be with her) and created the Leukemia FoundationAustralia’s national charity, dedicated to helping people diagnosed with leukemia and other serious diseases, donating significant amounts from each film fee.
In 1999 he got engaged to his colleague Jennifer Syme, a year later a baby girl was born who unfortunately died within a few days due to a heart defect. After that tragedy the couple separated and, on April 2, 2001, she died in a car accident.
Mourning was repeated often in his life.
A lesson for all of us: Being born a man or a woman happens to everyone, but remaining one is a challenge we face every day.
Tiziano Conti
Wikipedia photo of Gordon Correll