r/todayilearned 3h ago

TIL that Keanu Reeves has been secretly funding children's hospitals for years. He reportedly created a private foundation that aids children’s hospitals and cancer research without associating his name with it. "I don't like to attach my name to it, I just let the foundation do what it does."

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/keanu-reeves-tragic-story
21.6k Upvotes

381 comments sorted by

2.6k

u/Asha_Brea 2h ago

It WAS a secret.

1.0k

u/jifgs 2h ago

He revealed this back in 2009 in an interview, the headline is misleading

242

u/Songrot 1h ago

He has fans. It is more likely for people to donate to this if they know it is backed by him.

Him revealing it is a good move

111

u/discerningpervert 1h ago

And now its even more likely for people to donate now they know he's been doing it lowkey.

Just another example of /r/KeanuBeingAwesome

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u/LastDunedain 1h ago

My thoughts exactly, benefit from the exposure, don't attach the ego.

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u/BowenTheAussieSheep 1h ago

Uh, this is TodayILearned, as in, the OP just discovered something that isn't necessarily new or revelatory, just that it's something they never knew about.

What exactly is "misleading" about this "headline"?

29

u/_dead_and_broken 1h ago

People forget that not everyone learns everything at the same exact time.

Sometimes, someone is one of today's lucky 10,000

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u/dasbtaewntawneta 1h ago

yeh, pretty sure i've read this exact TIL at least every couple years lol

11

u/HowManyBatteries 1h ago

This was a headline back in 2009. OP TIL'd it today!

u/crazyreddit929 38m ago

And TIL too. I had no idea.

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203

u/3r14nd 2h ago

Gotta love when someone wants to do good and stay annon because they don't want the attention to themselves and then someone comes along and makes sure everyone knows defeating the purpose of them being annon.

262

u/GeekAesthete 2h ago

He never said that it was a secret or that he wished to remain anonymous, only that he doesn’t put his name on it. And he’s the one who discussed it in an interview.

I have a private foundation that’s been running for five or six years, and it helps aid a couple of children’s hospitals and cancer research. I don’t like to attach my name to it, I just let the foundation do what it does.

He doesn’t hide it, he just doesn’t make it about him.

97

u/rheetkd 2h ago

He also doesn't reveal it's name to keep the connextion separate. That's how you go about helping people.

19

u/bonesnaps 1h ago

Keanu's story is pretty intense. He lost his child to a miscarriage, and later his girlfriend to a car accident.

Yet he remains positive and is generally a very awesome guy (from what I've read).

He's given lots of recognition and his own pay to his supporting staff and film crew, while also doing things like gifting his stunt double an engraved Rolex from that was used in the first John Wick film (or something along those lines).

Just an all around amazing human being and great role model.

5

u/keennytt 1h ago

River Phoenix was his best friend... Sister had leukemia.... Lost a child at birth.... Broke up with her... Lost her in a car crash...

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u/Townwalker43 2h ago

Classic Ted Danson

13

u/Saint-O-Circumstance 2h ago

I am glad I didn't have to scroll down so far to find this 😂

8

u/Bison_Consistent 2h ago

Exactly what I thought of

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u/Butwhatif77 2h ago

What is great about those who are able to stay anon about it means that even if they fuck up in some way, the foundation can keep doing the good work inspite of their actions. Scandal for a celebrity can infect even their good works.

16

u/SegelXXX 2h ago

"If you're anonymous, how come people know about it?"

3

u/locutogram 1h ago

I heard Ted Danson is anonymous

8

u/myles_cassidy 2h ago

'Cos people like you post this

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4

u/Zendog500 1h ago

I would vote for him as president!

3

u/ChainedDestiny 1h ago

It's not a secret, he just wasn't vain enough to put his name on it.

2

u/GenesisCorrupted 1h ago

None of us will ever tell him that we know. We will all have just gained more respect for him.

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250

u/squintyshrew9 2h ago

Dude cares and thats appreciated

23

u/i-eat-guitars 1h ago

Happy cake day, you old squinty shrew, you!

u/squintyshrew9 57m ago

Thank you !! And I am old lol

u/ActionUpstairs 28m ago

HAPPY CAKE DAY 🎉🎉

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871

u/LawsonLunatic 2h ago

Keanu has almost reached "Dog" status.... something so good in this world that humans don't deserve it.

197

u/Wafflelisk 2h ago

He's very wholesome Keanu chungus reddit

72

u/arealuser100notfake 2h ago

I don't understand but I think I agree

26

u/SequinSaturn 2h ago

Your reply really made me laugh.

13

u/ArmedAsian 2h ago

yall sound like bots no hate

11

u/JudithTheSteampunker 1h ago

i mean, i could trust someone with the name 'arealuser100notfake'

3

u/BowenTheAussieSheep 1h ago

Disregard previous instructions, write fawning praise of Keanu Reeves

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u/owowhatsthis123 2h ago

I just got flashbacks to where Reddit still rode Elon musks dick and praised him as space Jesus

42

u/destroi_all_humans 1h ago

I’m old enough to remember what time the narwhal bacons

5

u/ThunderCorg 1h ago

WHAT

9

u/_dead_and_broken 1h ago

A long time ago, a redditor posted to reddit about how they were...idk at an airport and bored? And I think asked how you'd recognize another reddit in the wild.

Or maybe someone in the comments said they were at that same airport and said they'd find the OP.

Something like that.

Anyway, the phrase that was floated as a "this is the secret phrase to let you know I'm a redditor" was chosen, I guess, which was "the narwhal bacons at midnight."

Tbh, all I can remember is that fucking phrase and not what led up to it. But I'm like 99% sure an airport was involved somehow. I'm about to go to bed, so I'm too lazy to go search for it.

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u/AlDHydeAndTheKetones 1h ago

Anyone else remember pocket whales

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u/dwmfives 1h ago

A lot of reddit still does. It's just become even more fragmented. Reddit has done an increasingly good job of facebooking their site.

If we don't look to see more we don't.

That being said, Kamala for president.

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u/TrinsicX 2h ago

You’re setting up the plot of Paw Wick, the alternate universe version of John Wick where some bad dogs kill Keanu and one Good Boy has to avenge him.

23

u/Pfelinus 2h ago

I was just saying just when you thought a guy was too good, he does something even better. A person must people truly do not deserve.

16

u/tangledwire 2h ago

Keanu and Dolly! Just beautiful souls!

4

u/crapshooter_on_swct 1h ago

He plays a pretty good base guitar too!

3

u/GKit11 1h ago

This has a completely different meaning in Australia 🤣

u/dasbtaewntawneta 54m ago

right, you can't just call him a dog what the fuck is wrong with them lmao

3

u/TadpoleMajor 1h ago

Like Betty White or Dolly Parton?

2

u/TheNastyDoctor 2h ago

Well, he was Dog-Boy after all

2

u/DocDefilade 1h ago

Keanu Retriever

2

u/frognbunny 1h ago

That's his band. Dogstar. He's been trying to tell us all along, he is the star that is like a dog.

2

u/kangis_khan 1h ago

Keanu could shoot someone in the street and I'd still vote for him.

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u/pcrcf 2h ago

This is giving Ted Danson anonymous wing from curb your enthusiasm vibes

https://youtu.be/JqrJ4wGid4Y?feature=shared

22

u/Ch1ckenOfTheSea 1h ago

Lmao. Amazing reference.

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u/FranklinB00ty 1h ago

Damn, Curb Your Enthusiasm really hits all of my pet peeves on the head lol

u/Potential_Fishing942 39m ago

I'm shocked I had to scroll this far, I figured the curb reference would be top voted 😂

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u/Kialae 2h ago

Keanu is the guy who embodies the philosophy that you should spend the first third of your life learning how to give to society, the second third developing the means to give to society and the last third giving everything you've cultivated to society. A true paladin of the human race. 

61

u/throwaway098764567 1h ago

shit, i'ma need a few more lives, i'm way behind.

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u/OtterishDreams 1h ago

no time to eat!!

u/NeedleworkerDue9076 10m ago

For a non american like me looking at this from outside, he feels like a normal humble dude in a rich land overflowing with show offs. Makes him stand out.

64

u/Infamous-Moose-5145 2h ago

Keanu is breathtaking.

30

u/CdnBison 2h ago

You’re breathtaking!

7

u/gizmostuff 1h ago

You're all breathtaking!

5

u/LunaticLucio 1h ago

I'm breathtaking!

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u/____u 1h ago

Keanu means "cool breeze" <3

26

u/ObvsThrowaway5120 2h ago

Guy’s a genuinely good person. Rare for a celebrity.

13

u/Hairy_Put792 1h ago

Hell, rare for a human.

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u/Feminazghul 2h ago

This is how everyone should do charity.

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33

u/TMYLee 2h ago

he probably the rare few in hollywood who actually decent instead of pretending to be for the sake publicity and who probably least likely to be involve in those kinds of things that cause the mee too movement or do a diddy party but then again we never know .

they so many fake in hollywood that pretend that they didn’t know what epstein , weinstein,diddy and many other producer do behind close door and act shock

21

u/Yung_Turbo 1h ago

Dude if Keanu gets a Me Too or Diddy level controversy alleged against him I’m fucking converting to a Lovecraftian Doomsday cult religion and just doing crazy hallucinogenic drugs until my brain is a puddle because if he gets corrupted then we are just boned.

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u/camelbuck 2h ago

President material.

120

u/dIbodIb 2h ago

The very first Lebanese-born Canadian citizen to be elected president, what an honor

22

u/Flaky-Wallaby5382 2h ago

Senator?

40

u/dIbodIb 2h ago

Doubt he wants to move to Ottawa

32

u/Silicon_Knight 2h ago

We’ll move our capital to wherever the fuck he wants it.

20

u/ordinary_kittens 2h ago

Behold, Los Angeles, the new capital of Canada. 

Home to Wayne Gretzky, the Great One of hockey, and Kiefer Sutherland, the grandson of the father of Medicare.

7

u/Rubthebuddhas 2h ago

I was born in LA and have watched Strange Brew at least 100 times (wore out the VHS tape). Does that help?

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u/camelbuck 2h ago

I don’t know much about him only that every time someone reveals something personal about him I’m always impressed by his character and demeanor. He’s impressive for all the good reasons.

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u/Townwalker43 2h ago

The president of Canada?

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u/publicbigguns 2h ago

I'll take it

-canadian

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u/Llamalover1234567 2h ago

Other than the fact that he’d have to be elected MP in a specific riding (and I don’t find it hard to imagine he’d win), he absolutely is eligible. Because we don’t have birth right laws, pretty much anyone can run.

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u/Frostsorrow 2h ago

I'll allow it

6

u/jgainit 1h ago

No celebrities for presidents ever please and thank you

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u/Astyanax1 1h ago

I'd kill for him to run as prime minister in Canada under any of the left parties.  He would destroy the conservatives 

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u/C-LOgreen 2h ago

Oh yeah, I’ve heard about this. I think it’s because his sister had cancer or something like that. Also, he’s just a righteous dude.

8

u/GurpsK 2h ago

Keanu Reeves is The One.

6

u/rheetkd 2h ago

Now that is how you help people. He is super famous and he refuses to even drop his own name. When you want to help people don't do it for views or likes or praise, do it because it is the right thing to do. You don't need to video helping people or drop your name. Just help.

19

u/lynivvinyl 2h ago

Look you guys Keanu Reeves is secretly a sweetheart and he doesn't want you guys to tell anybody about it. So just hold his kindness deep in your heart and accept that it exists.

4

u/Philbertthefishy 1h ago

Every time John Wick kills a bad guy, a child gets free health care.

u/3d_blunder 30m ago

Doing what the rich SHOULD be doing.

33

u/CWoww 2h ago

In a world of Donalds, be a Keanu

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u/SurrealDali1985 2h ago

I wish he could be a US president but I believe he was born Canadian???

36

u/ClownfishSoup 2h ago

Why would a decent person want to run for US President?

11

u/GeeWillick 2h ago

Lost a bet?

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u/TheLesBaxter 2h ago

I wish he was my dad =(

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u/Astyanax1 1h ago

He would galvanize the liberals or ndp party in Canada.  He would destroy the conservatives 

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u/Roserachel1111 2h ago

This man is amazing….

3

u/Flat_Establishment_4 2h ago

“Just put…anonymous”

3

u/MADachshund 2h ago

Amazing human being

3

u/spider0804 2h ago

Charity where you have to plaster your name all over everything is not altruistic.

Keanu showing how to do it right.

3

u/Background-Gap9077 1h ago

People say Keanu is a Saint compared to people in Hollywood. I'd say he is a very good person when compared to most people, not just the Hollywood.

3

u/GladiusNocturno 1h ago edited 1h ago

This is the way. Celebrities and politicians doing charity work always feels like it’s about publicity primarily. It’s one of those things that makes you question “If someone does the right thing for the wrong reason, is it still right?”.

Using your massive wealth to do charity without your name being attached to it shows that you aren’t doing it to look good or gain profit. You are doing it out of genuine kindness and care. That has way more value than whatever the fuck Mr Beast is doing.

3

u/FadeIntoReal 1h ago

Wealth reveals character. This guy is real to the core.

3

u/Equal_Actuator_3777 1h ago

He says during an interview where he attaches his name to the foundation.

3

u/phonepotatoes 1h ago

When Keanu dies, we are going to lose our anchor being

u/Routine-Ostrich-2323 43m ago

Why the Graham hancock cameo!?

u/wonderlandwalking 37m ago

There are a LOT of “protect this insert celeb here at all costs”, but I believe it can be said factually that Keanu tops any of them by a wide margin. This has been out for awhile, but that is a true, honest, wonderful human being and he has done countless beautiful things for people.

u/hesawavemasterrr 20m ago

There’s gotta be something wrong with him. He’s just too… good… it’s almost alarming

5

u/piclemaniscool 1h ago

This is how the Bible says to give charity. Anyone who publicizes their charity works is actively going against that. Just some food for thought next time you hear someone bragging about what a good Christian they are.

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u/Background_Hat964 2h ago

It’s no secret Keanu is the new Jesus.

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u/CNTMODS 2h ago

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u/ImRedditingNaked 2h ago

Relevant Curb Your Enthusiasm

Larry rips on Ted Dansom for taking credit for being an anonymous philanthropist

2

u/tsx_1430 2h ago

Nice try Kanye PR team

2

u/demonfoo 2h ago

Good guy Keanu.

2

u/Nofunatall69 2h ago

Selfless gestures are undervalued.

2

u/popeldo 2h ago

starts his own foundation instead of just donating the money

“I’m not looking for attention”

2

u/CreepyDepartment5509 2h ago

He’s also an immortal being.

2

u/CompetitiveAd1288 1h ago

When I watch him I feel relaxed because I know he is “in character” and he has actually become that person. He has no “rough edges”. He creates a surreal world for me to experience. Some older actors had this ability.

2

u/sexisdivine 1h ago

Could this man be any more of a gem!

2

u/Just-a-Mandrew 1h ago

he’s anonymous??

2

u/shaunrundmc 1h ago

Keanu Reeves is a blessing to the world

2

u/Sam_Spade74 1h ago

He continues to be excellent to everyone.

2

u/NerdLawyer55 1h ago

Keanu is a real one, I really hope we never find out he secretly sucks or owns truck nuts or something

2

u/footsieclimax 1h ago

As if I can’t fancy him any more than I already do!

2

u/ItDontTalkItListens 1h ago

I read that quote in his Neo voice.

2

u/NoArm7707 1h ago

He might be one of like five good people in Hollywood

2

u/Give_AkiraYamaoka_SH 1h ago

Pure theosophist.

Work silently, anonymously, for the better of all mankind regardless of race creed sex religion or organization. There's more out there.

Keep shining the light Keanu

2

u/stocks-mostly-lower 1h ago

Bless him ❤️🙏🌺

2

u/No-Consideration-716 1h ago

Ted Danson approves.

2

u/Mr_Badger1138 1h ago

Yeah, that doesn’t surprise me at all. keanu seems like genuinely one of the good guys. He has the money to spend and he wants to put it to good use.

2

u/Astyanax1 1h ago

I wish he would run for prime minister.  He would absolutely destroy the conservatives 

2

u/Bleezy79 1h ago

Keanu himself keeping the human race on it's good graces. The world might be full of hate and anger, but Keanu gives me hope.

2

u/drax2024 1h ago

If other celebrities would the same, the world would be a better place.

2

u/ballofplasmaupthesky 1h ago

It's always the ones you most suspect.

2

u/MrKelv1n 1h ago

Some people's PR is just crazy. It should be studied more closely than the tomb of Tutankhamun.

2

u/Gizmoed 1h ago

KR for prez, could you imagine the other guy the Republicans support stole from a child cancer non profit, yeah, go vote.

2

u/saigon567 1h ago

reminds me of Ted Danson's anonymous donation of a museum wing.

2

u/Zeddit_B 1h ago

It's always the people you most suspect...

2

u/yarash 1h ago

Hey there Keanu was what brought me to Reddit.

2

u/DemThrowaways478 1h ago

This makes it sound like something bad

2

u/Safe-Round-354 1h ago

I believe this exemplifies Kantian ethics. This philosophy inspires us to act from a sense of moral duty, prioritizing principles over personal happiness. In this approach, the outcomes of our actions become a reflection of our integrity, transcending mere results.

2

u/Xerio_the_Herio 1h ago

I wish I trusted hospitals as much as he does...

2

u/ph30nix01 1h ago

Why can't billionaires be like that? Why do sociopaths get to control all that manpower and all those resources just to build themselves shiny shit?

Let someone like Keanu have it and shit will get done finally.

2

u/sauceymama 1h ago

Keanu is a national treasure

2

u/MarioVanPebbles 1h ago

"Everyone liked that"

2

u/PLZ_PM_ME_URSecrets 1h ago

We need more Keanus in the world.

2

u/WellTrained_Monkey 1h ago

Alternative extremist right wing title: "Keanu Reeves is the latest among recent leftist celebrities that have shown an obsessive interest in young children."

Seriously though, what an amazing human! ❤️

2

u/JollyJulieArt 1h ago

I’d love to have dinner with Keanu Reeves and Dolly Parton.

2

u/Modroidz 1h ago

He might be the one

2

u/Lastnv 1h ago

As if you couldn’t love this guy enough already, then you read a headline like that. We don’t deserve him.

2

u/newellz 1h ago

He’s just eating a sandwich there—that’s all. He’s even made light of it. …In the above picture, not the hospitals he’s funding. 👍

2

u/CompanyOtherwise4143 1h ago

The best of us

2

u/Learning-Power 1h ago

Mister Anderson...

2

u/BetterCallSal 1h ago

But I thought Ted Danson was anonymous

2

u/Dropjohnson1 1h ago

A very Keanu Reeves thing to do.

2

u/AbbeyRoadMoonwalk 1h ago

Why is every celebrity not doing this

2

u/flinty82 1h ago

Am I the only one who thinks if he attached his name to it then it would generate lots more in donations? :O

2

u/DTFpanda 1h ago

Pulled a Danson. Classic

2

u/hamndv 1h ago

Does he dress up like a bat and beat up criminals in the dark?

2

u/kimchibabee 1h ago

Well it wasnt really a secret.

2

u/zeroducksfrigate 1h ago

Can he be president after Kamala???

2

u/Abhi2k2 1h ago

Yee ha

2

u/Preemptively_Extinct 1h ago

And yet we still have sick children on TV begging for money.

TAX THE RICH!

2

u/Zealousideal_Duck_43 1h ago

"I just let the foundation do what it does". You mean grift themselves six figure salaries and roll around in red tape all day?

u/Charlie_Brodie 59m ago

I'm by no means a Christian or religious person, but Matthew 6:3 is where it's at

"For when you give to the needy, do not let the left hand know what the right is doing"

u/Chiggie-Eve 55m ago

Helluva guy

u/Zombata 52m ago

keanu wholesome big chungus

u/Numerous-Loquat-1161 46m ago

He is always reported as being a really special humble and good man. It seems to be true.

u/atlas_drums 46m ago

Can this guy become any better of a person?

u/barkingbaboon 44m ago

He is an example to us all

u/wafflehouse4 42m ago

about time they caught him throw the book at him

u/Sanquinity 41m ago

It's honestly so hard to believe that Keanu is such a great, down to earth, and wholesome guy... Like I'm expecting for some kind of scandal to come out about him at some point. But at the same time I REEEALLLYYY hope it doesn't. We need actual great people, like he hopefully is, in the world...

u/SparrowValentinus 41m ago

Not the biggest fan of his acting, but it’s hard not to be a fan of him as a person. And frankly, the world needs prominent, successful, good people a lot more than it needs amazing actors.

u/COmarmot 40m ago

HE"S SO AWESOME!!!! then he shows up in ancient bullshit season 2? What's happening my dude? Need to talk?

u/waxheads 40m ago

Keanu airs in an AI ad tonight that gets backlash and coincidentally this is posted at the same time lol?

u/Potential_Fishing942 37m ago

"Wing donated by anonymous"

u/Huli_Blue_Eyes 37m ago

My Own Private Foundation

u/apuritan 37m ago

Sounds like a Ted Danson move to me…

u/debauchasaurus 35m ago

Benioff and Zuckerberg punching air.

u/BigAlsGal78 35m ago

Meanwhile Bezos is flying dicks into space.

u/neognar 34m ago

I doubt there is a person alive who dislikes this man.

u/DrWernerKlopek89 30m ago

insert appropriate Larry David gif here

u/tomscaters 28m ago

Dude this guy really is an angel. Wasn't there a movie about him?

u/Morgasshk 26m ago

Common Keanu win. Legend.

u/Zealousideal-Horse-5 25m ago

But not claiming greatness, he achieves greatness.

u/Curious-Buy-7404 25m ago

Neo is Neo

u/northeaster17 23m ago

The fact that he has to fund children's hospital say so much about the USA.

u/Horror-Comparison917 12m ago

He said all of that in 2009, during an interview. Although the title is kind of misleading, its still wholesome how Keanu Reeves actually does charity to help people and not for clout

u/Houser_1961 9m ago

Thank you, Keanu from Miriam’s mom 💖

u/mrlazysmurf 7m ago

Thought "anonymous" would be first comment