Best known for his leading roles in films like The Matrix and John Wick, Keanu Reeves has been starring in Hollywood blockbusters since the 80s. Gaining millions of fans worldwide for his acting, Keanu has also shown his fans that he is incredibly humble and down to earth in his day to day life. It wasn’t long before Keanu became a beloved internet sensation that many fans love.

However, it wasn’t always an easy journey to fame for the actor. Before beginning his acting career, Keanu didn’t always know that he’d pursue show business. Along with his many successes and leading roles, there were some hardships along the way.

Now, you can enjoy a timeline of Keanu's career. From the highs to the lows, check out 15 little known facts about Keanu Reeves' rise to fame!

15 He Moved To Los Angeles, California In His Early 20s To Pursue An Acting Career

After his parents divorced in 1966, Keanu lived with his mother and his younger sister, Kim. The family moved frequently during his childhood and lived in Australia and the U.S. They finally settled in Toronto, Canada. After deciding to pursue a career in acting, Keanu moved to Los Angeles, California to achieve his Hollywood dreams.

14 Keanu Starred In Several Commercials And Short-Films Earlier In His Career — Including A Commercial For Coca-Cola!

It wasn’t long before Keanu started scoring roles in commercials and short films. Before pursuing acting, Keanu was set on becoming a professional hockey player, but an injury changed the course of things. Even so, his hockey experience helped him land his first studio movie appearance in Youngblood in 1986. He played a goalie.

13 His First Leading Role Was In Bill And Ted's Excellent Adventure And It Became An Unexpected Success

Although he was off to a good start in Hollywood and got acting jobs in a variety of commercials, short films, and feature films, it wasn’t until Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure that Keanu experienced his big break. The movie instantly became a cult classic and his portrayal of Ted gained him recognition and praise from a growing fan base.

12 The Turning Point In His Career Was Marked By Landing A Leading Role In Speed

In 1994, Keanu gained mainstream success by starring in his first blockbuster film, Speed. Co-starring Sandra Bullock, this crime thriller earned Keanu international recognition and success. This was the actor's first role in a genre outside of comedies and indie dramas since he starred in Point Break.

11 He Turned Down Reprising His Leading Role In Speed 2 Because He Didn't Think It Would Live Up To The First Film

Due to the international success of the first movie, 20th Century Fox was set on developing a sequel for Speed. Keanu turned down the offer to star in the sequel because he didn’t think they could recreate the first film's success. This decision blacklisted him from future roles with the major film studio for over a decade.

10 Keanu Was A Bassist And Backing Vocalist For The Band Dogstar From 1991—2002

He's a man of many talents! During his rise to fame, he even had a break in the music industry. His band, Dogstar, played at several music festivals and even opened for Bon Jovi in 1999. Although the band is no longer together, music still plays a large role in Keanu's life.

9 His Most Famous Role To Date Is Portraying Neo In The Hit Blockbuster The Matrix

We can all agree that Keanu’s most notable role is his portrayal of Neo in The Matrix trilogy. The films instantly became box office hits and established Keanu as an A-list actor. The first film, which was released in 1999, grossed an estimated $463 million worldwide! This was a turning point in the actor's career.

Related: Keanu Reeves Returns For Matrix 4, Set Photos Reveal Neo Is Alive

8 Reportedly Took An Estimated $80 Million Dollar Pay Cut For His Role In The Matrix To Improve The Movie Production's Special Effects

It is estimated that the actor earned over $100 million for his role in The Matrix trilogy, but reportedly shared a large amount of these earnings (a jaw-dropping $80 million dollars' worth!) with the franchise’s film crew. He did this because of how important their contributions were to the success of the films

7 Even After Taking Pay Cuts For Movie Roles, He Is Still One Of The Highest Paid Actors, With A Net Worth Of $360 Million

The generous pay cut Keanu accepted on behalf of The Matrix franchise film crew hardly affected the actor’s net worth. No surprises there! His impressive list of roles in blockbuster films earned him a spot on the list of highest-grossing actors in Hollywood. It also helped pave the way for many opportunities.

Related: 14 Secrets Keanu Reeves Doesn't Want Us To Know About His Movie Roles

6 During His Rise To Stardom, Keanu Had A Preference For Living In Rental Houses And Hotels

Despite his seemingly rapid rise to fame, the actor developed a taste for residing in rental houses and hotels. He was reportedly a long-time resident of the luxury Hollywood hotel, Chateau Marmont. It took a long time before he finally began purchasing properties in the early 2000s.

5 He Has Been Doing His Own Stunts Since His Leading Role In Speed

The actor has always been dedicated to his roles and has even committed to doing his own stunts at times. From his stunt work on the action thriller movie, Speed, to action scenes in John Wick, Keanu has gone above and beyond for his roles. No wonder he has gained ongoing praise from his fans!

4 Keanu Has Faced A Lot Of Hardships In His Personal Life

There is no denying that the actor has successfully achieved major fame and made a name for himself. However, things have not always been easy for the star. In the early 2000s, during the height of his fame, the actor 's child was stillborn. His girlfriend, who had carried the baby, died months later in a car accident.

3 He Is A Philanthropist And Has A Private Cancer Foundation To Help Several Children's Hospitals

One of the reasons fans adore Keanu so much is because he's a giver. There are many examples of his generous donations. One notable example is the fact that the actor established a private cancer foundation through which he helps several children’s hospitals. His sister, Kim, is a cancer survivor.

2 Keanu Is The Author Of An Grown-Up Picture Book Titled "An Ode To Happiness", Illustrated By Current Girlfriend, Alexandra Grant

Mostly private about his personal life, the actor is often seen in public looking glum and lonely. After a picture of him sitting on a bench, staring at a sandwich (and then eating it) went viral, the famous pic became a joke amongst him and his friends. Well, turns out the joke later turned into his very first published book!

Related: 15 Little Known Facts About Keanu Reeves And Alexandra Grant's Relationship

1 He Directed His Own Movie, Titled Man Of Tai Chi

Aside from acting and music, Keanu has also made his directorial debut. The star directed and starred in the 2013 martial arts film, Man of Tai Chi. His directorial style earned him praise from critics and fans alike, but the film was ultimately a box-office flop.

Next: 20 Questions Fans Wish They Could Ask Keanu Reeves