When posed with the question as to who the best action star in recent times is, many people would say Keanu Reeves
. He is so well-known for his high-octane antics, that many forget just how great of a sense of humor he has. He never takes himself too seriously, which is evident in many interviews, and it’s this self-deprecating attitude that lends itself well to creating a great comedic character.
The fact that he willingly repeats his catchphrase “whoa” in most of his films proves that he’s up for anything. Whether he’s lending his voice to an animated project, savagely spoofing his public persona, or fully embracing the “stoner” role he is often typecast in, he constantly proves that he has a fantastic sense of humor and great talent at delivering a funny line.
5
I Love You To Death (1990)
As Marlon
This underrated dark comedy features a truly terrific cast including Kevin Kline, Tracy Ullman, and William Hurt. To stand out among such a host of talent in I Love You to Death shows just how skilled an actor Keanu Reeves truly is. The film follows a womanizer whose wife is tired of his infidelities and hires a duo of hitmen to dispose of him. One of these assassins is Marlon, a perpetually stoned young man who is not the sharpest tool in the shed.
Reeves often got cast in similar roles, because of his looks and the fact that he was able to deliver hilarious lines in a deadpan way. Marlon gets so much wrong so much of the time, but then he will come up with nuggets of wisdom that are deeper than anyone would give him credit for. There is also a decent amount of physical comedy that Reeves should get credit for.
4
Something’s Gotta Give (2003)
As Julian Mercer
This classic romantic comedy features two Hollywood legends in the form of Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton, with a very charming supportive performance from Reeves. He plays a dreamy doctor who is the antithesis of Nicholson’s philandering lothario. Reeves’ Julian becomes romantically linked with Keaton’s character, leading to many funny moments in the film. He sparks jealousy in his rival and handles these comedic interactions with class.
Unlike many characters who are an obstacle to the movie’s endgame couple, Julian remains a genuinely good person to the end when he bows out gracefully. It’s Reeves’ subtle performance and natural charisma that make him endearing and ensures a smile on the audience’s face whenever they see him. His flirtation with Keaton is meant to be played for comedy, but the way he comes across is much more genuine, which makes the story feel more uplifting and relatable.
3
Toy Story 4 (2019)
As Duke Caboom
Reeves is not only a great leading man, but also a very talented and rather prolific voice actor. He has lent his vocals to many great roles, including a kitten named after him, a mystical underwater being, and even Batman. But, one of his standout voice roles has got to be Duke Kaboom in Toy Story 4. Like many other films, this one leans into the action-man persona that he is widely known for, and the comedy stems from that.
As a daredevil action toy, Duke is meant to be fearless and up for anything. In reality, he is plagued by self-doubt and constantly compares himself to other toys that he deems better. However, he is also a trier and never fails to keep morale up and even motivate himself. Reeves was the perfect choice for this role as he’s able to imbue the toy with many emotions while ensuring the audience is never in doubt that he has the potential for greatness.
2
Always Be My Maybe (2019)
As Keanu Reeves
Reeves has proven time and time again that he does not take himself too seriously, and is always keen to poke fun at his own expense. It’s perhaps most evident in his role as a fictionalized version of himself in the rom-com Always Be My Maybe. Reeves’ character is so deliciously pretentious and overtly philosophical, that it makes him seem like an absolute egomaniac. Even his entrance plays into his action star credentials as he walks in slow motion toward Ali Wong and Randall Park.
This self-parody is a self-deprecating masterclass, and his overly dramatic performance makes it that much funnier. Reeves’ role in the movie is brief, but it leaves such a lasting impact that it feels like he’s one of the main cast. It also has a lot of importance in the plot, which would explain his willingness to take part. It goes to show that Reeves is very well aware of the public’s perception of him and is not afraid to play with it.
1
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)
As Ted Logan
The Bill and Ted franchise has created a lasting legacy that showcases Reeves’ comedic genius. With two sequels and even a spin-off TV show, the world has learned to stay excellent and always cherish their friendships. Following two hapless best buds across the universe, the underworld, and through time has been a fun adventure, and it’s always great to see Reeves bring this music-obsessed, naive dude to life.
The genius lies in how seriously Reeves approaches everything the two have to deal with. He’s not over-acting or trying to queue up jokes and witty one-liners. Instead, he goes with the flow and stays true to himself. Or rather, stays true to Ted ‘Theodore’ Logan. He shows genuine curiosity towards each new person or being he encounters, even if they are the most famous figure in history, and his beauty lies in rarely being embarrassed by his lack of knowledge. This collection of films will always hold an important place in Keanu Reeves’ impressive body of work.
Keanu Reeves
- Birthdate
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September 2, 1964
- Birthplace
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Beirut, Lebanon
