Reeves was born in Beirut, Lebanon, to Patricia Taylor, an English costume designer and performer, and Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr., a Hawaiian geologist. His parents divorced when he was young, and he moved with his mother and sister to Toronto, Canada. He struggled in school and was expelled from several high schools before dropping out at age 17 to pursue an acting career.Reeves began his acting career in the early 1980s, appearing in a number of television commercials and films. His breakthrough role came in 1989 with the comedy Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, in which he played time-traveling teenager Ted "Theodore" Logan. He reprised the role in two sequels, Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991) and Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020).In the 1990s, Reeves established himself as a leading action star with roles in films such as Point Break, Speed, and A Walk in the Clouds (1995). He also starred in acclaimed dramas such as My Own Private Idaho (1991) and The Devil's Advocate (1997).Reeves's career reached its peak in the late 1990s and early 2000s with his starring role as Neo in the Wachowski brothers' science fiction trilogy The Matrix. The films were a critical and commercial success, making Reeves one of the most recognizable actors in the world.In the years since, Reeves has continued to star in a variety of films, including Constantine, the John Wick franchise, and the romantic comedy Destination Wedding (2018). He has also produced a number of films, including the John Wick movies.Reeves is known for his down-to-earth personality and philanthropy. He is a supporter of a number of charities, including the SickKids Foundation and the PETA. He is also a co-founder of Arch Motorcycle Company, which manufactures custom motorcycles.