Keanu Reeves Revealed What Makes Him Feel ‘Like An Animal in a Cage’
For over three decades, Keanu Reeves has been one of Hollywood’s premiere leading men. The actor, who rose to fame thanks to his work in comedies like Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, has forged his own path in a tough industry, earning a reputation as a no-holds-barred action star.
These days, Reeves is enjoying a career resurgence (although he never really went away), with legions of new fans discovering his charm and kind nature. However, the actor isn’t always thrilled with the perks of his celebrity status, and in 2019, he opened up about why being famous sometimes makes him feel like an ‘animal.’
Keanu Reeves is a beloved star
Reeves has been a mainstay in the entertainment world since the late ’80s, after working in Canadian films and television shows for a few years.
Reeves first started receiving acclaim from critics after he acted in the big-budget action movie Speed, and since then, he has been a staple presence for fans of all ages. His celebrity status was cemented after his work in The Matrix trilogy, as well as movies like Constantine, The Lake House, and The Devil’s Advocate.
In addition to his work in film, Reeves has received equal renown for his legendary kindness and approachable nature. Over the years, countless stories have emerged that have spotlighted his willingness to stop and chat with his fans or to go out of his way to make someone’s day with an autograph or other kind gesture.
In spite of this, there’s no doubt that the actor values his privacy a great deal.
Keanu Reeves values his privacy
Reeves has shunned the spotlight over the years, in spite of his status as a massive celebrity. He isn’t on any social media platform, and will usually avoid red carpet events or other large public gatherings unless he is there specifically to promote one of his projects. Some reports even state that Reeves seems uncomfortable with very direct questions — particularly ones of a personal nature.
Reeves once opened up about his reticent nature, saying “privacy is really important to me…and yeah, I don’t really have anything to say about anything.” In another interview, Reeves revealed that he likes to keep his “distance” from the trappings of fame, stating: “I never lived my life as a function of what was said or written about me. I just love the way I’m still as interested in acting as I ever was.”
Fame makes Keanu Reeves feel like an ‘animal in a cage’
Unsurprisingly, given Reeves’s statements about his innate shyness and avoidance of the spotlight, there are some parts of fame that the actor has never quite warmed to.
In a 2019 interview, he talked about how being pursued by both avid photographers and fans is something that he definitely doesn’t enjoy. In the interview, Reeves said: “I’ll come out in the morning and get my newspaper (and they’re there). You feel like an animal in a cage.”
He went on to describe how he endures tourist vans parked outside his home on a regular basis, with eager passengers hoping to catch of glimpse of him at rest. “They visit everyone’s homes and sit outside,” Reeves said. “They look at you like: ‘There’s One!’ And I get it. But walking around LA, no one cares pretty much.”
Ultimately, it seems as though Reeves has been able to find a way to deal with his celebrity status in a healthy way, even if he doesn’t always enjoy parts of it.
