Without a doubt, Hollywood star Keanu Reeves is one of the most loved celebrities in the entertainment industry. With his humble, down-to-earth persona, combined with his remarkable acting abilities, the actor has managed to establish himself as a legendary star.

Long before his days as a superstar, Reeves was a regular kid who struggled with a learning disorder, Dyslexia. Although the condition has rarely affected his performance, it was a nightmare for him to get through high school. The actor’s hard work and dedication paid off as he is a well-known star now who has showcased his talent in blockbuster hits like Speed (1994), The Matrix (1999), and John Wick (2014).

Keanu Reeves struggled in high school

Keanu Reeves
In March 2005, actor Keanu Reeves appeared for an interview with Handbag Magazine and revealed that he struggled with Dyslexia, which caused trouble in high school,
“Because I had trouble reading, I wasn’t a good student. I didn’t finish high school. I did a lot of pretending as a child. It was my way of coping with the fact that I didn’t really feel like I fit in. But when I was 15, I started doing some acting and I got hooked because it was like hockey in that it allowed me to be somebody different.”
The actor found acting as an escape from the condition. Throughout his acting career, the actor has never let his condition stop him from giving his best.

Keanu Reeves was expelled from art school

Keanu Reeves

Reeves, who describes himself as a “private kid,” attended four different high schools. One of them was the Etobicoke School of the Arts, from which he was expelled, however, his condition had nothing to do with his expulsion. The actor recalled,
“I was greasy and running around a lot. I was just a little too rambunctious and shot my mouth off once too often. I was not generally the most well-oiled machine in the school. I was just getting in their way, I guess.”
Since he was good at ice hockey, the actor had planned to become a professional ice hockey player for the Canadian Olympic team but decided to become an actor when he was 15.

The actor never let Dyslexia slow down his acting career

A still of Keanu Reeves from John Wick 4
We all know Keanu Reeves as a Hollywood legend, thanks to his terrific performances in several blockbuster hits. However, the path was not an easy one. Obviously, his condition at times came in the way, but he always managed to overcome it.

Reeves’ influence on audiences goes beyond his on-screen roles; he’s known for his humble personality, authenticity, and philanthropic efforts. Today, Reeves remains a beloved figure whose impact on both the film industry and the hearts of his fans is undeniable.