It's easy to forget that before Keanu Reeves became known worldwide for his marquee roles in the Matrix franchise and his John Wick movies, he was just an aspiring actor growing up in Toronto. Even though he's moved on to bigger towns since his 20s, apparently his connection to the city nearly led him to share a name with one of its downtown streets.
In an interview with Good Morning America (below), the Canadian actor revealed that he almost adopted a stage name seemingly inspired by one of his hometown's major arteries: Spadina Avenue.
"So, I'm 20 years old, I'm in my first car, I wanted to be in movies, I went to Hollywood," he explained. "And I get there and they're like, 'We wanna change your name.'"
Reeves went on to share that those around him thought his birth name was "a little too exotic," and urged him to come up with something else. "Chuck Spadina," he said. "I just came up with ridiculous names."
While Reeves did not confirm that he lifted the name from the Chinatown street, the inspiration is undeniably clear.
Of course, he ended up sticking with his real name, and for the better. Imagine catching a Matrix Resurrections billboard and reading "Chuck Spadina" out of the corner of your eye while riding the 510? Too meta.
Reeves will return to the big screen using his actual name on December 22 when Resurrections arrives in theatres. Revisit the trailer here.
In an interview with Good Morning America (below), the Canadian actor revealed that he almost adopted a stage name seemingly inspired by one of his hometown's major arteries: Spadina Avenue.
"So, I'm 20 years old, I'm in my first car, I wanted to be in movies, I went to Hollywood," he explained. "And I get there and they're like, 'We wanna change your name.'"
Reeves went on to share that those around him thought his birth name was "a little too exotic," and urged him to come up with something else. "Chuck Spadina," he said. "I just came up with ridiculous names."
While Reeves did not confirm that he lifted the name from the Chinatown street, the inspiration is undeniably clear.
Of course, he ended up sticking with his real name, and for the better. Imagine catching a Matrix Resurrections billboard and reading "Chuck Spadina" out of the corner of your eye while riding the 510? Too meta.
Reeves will return to the big screen using his actual name on December 22 when Resurrections arrives in theatres. Revisit the trailer here.
