Can you imagine being told to change your name, especially when it's your manager making the suggestion? That's exactly what happened to Keanu Reeves when he first arrived in Hollywood as a young actor.
In a recent podcast interview, Reeves shared a fascinating story about his early days in the industry. He revealed that at just 16 years old, he was already a professional actor, working in Toronto, Canada. But when he moved to Los Angeles at 20, his manager had a surprising request: change his name.
"I was walking on the beach, thinking, 'My name? What if I change it? What would I even call myself?'" Reeves recalled. It was a moment of self-discovery and a true 'welcome to Hollywood' experience.
But here's where it gets controversial: his manager wanted him to adopt a new name, and Reeves began brainstorming options. With his middle name being Charles, he considered 'Chuck,' and since he grew up on Spadina Street, he thought of 'Chuck Spadina.' He even entertained the idea of 'KC Reeves' or 'Templeton Paige Taylor.'
And this is the part most people miss: Reeves actually used the name 'KC Reeves' in one of his early films, a made-for-TV movie in 1986. But after a few months, he decided he couldn't go through with it. He felt it was a Hollywood moment he didn't want to embrace.
Fortunately, by the time Reeves landed bigger roles in projects like 'Dangerous Liaisons' and 'Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure,' he was credited with his real name. Today, he's back promoting his new comedy, 'Good Fortune,' directed by Aziz Ansari and co-starring Seth Rogen and Keke Palmer.
Name changes are a common practice in Hollywood, and Reeves isn't the only one who's been through this. Leonardo DiCaprio shared a similar story, revealing that an ex-agent wanted him to drop 'DiCaprio' because it sounded 'too ethnic.'
So, what do you think? Should actors change their names to fit into the Hollywood mold, or is it a form of cultural erasure? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
