Check It Out: Money can’t buy a kind heart

By Joan Janzen

We don’t often hear about Hollywood celebrities who are well known for their humility and generosity. By definition, humility means “to have a modest view of one’s own importance”. Most celebrities are well ware of their importance. However I stumbled across some interesting history about actor Keanu Reeves, who was raised in Toronto. Keanu’s life had many challenges, yet he always managed to thrive.

Born in 1964 in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, Keanu’s father left him at the age of three. He moved with his mother to Toronto where he was raised by a series of three different stepfathers.

His classmates laughed at him because he struggled with dyslexia, which is why he changed four schools in five years. He went to a Catholic school for boys, but left before receiving his certificate. He was even expelled from acting school.

He began playing hockey, as a goalie, but any dreams of a hockey career were ended when he was in a serious car accident. While recovering his best friend passed away from a drug overdose, and yet his misfortunes continued on.

While working three jobs simultaneously, sharpening skates at a local hockey rink, cooking spaghetti at a restaurant, and trimming bushes at a park, he met his soul mate. Tragedy struck again when they lost their first baby and two year’s later, Keanu’s partner died in a car accident. He was 37 years old at the time.

Despite all the hardships he found the strength to keep going and began acting in theatre productions and television, before starring in a wide range of movies. Some of the movies he starred in include Speed, The Matrix and John Wick, starring in comedy, science fiction and action films. Not everyone likes or watches his movies, however his generosity and kind deeds are even more popular than the roles he plays in Hollywood.

At the peak of his popularity he established a fund to fight cancer and donates about 70% of his royalties to fund research. This decision was made because his younger sister had suffered from leukaemia, but is a survivor.

It’s been said, while working on set, he overheard a designer say she was going to lose her home if she didn’t come up with $120,000, and Keanu immediately deposited the necessary amount in her account. It’s also been told that he shared his incredible earnings from the Matrix with the stunt men, costume designers and people who don’t gain recognition. He believed the crew are the real heroes, and without them the film wouldn’t be possible.

He remains modest in his everyday life, doesn’t have security guards or buy expensive clothing. He owns one home and is seen using the subway and giving his seat to a stranger. He doesn’t like to waste money on trivial things; instead donates to children’s hospitals and other causes.

He’s been seen spending time with the homeless, and once celebrated his birthday by purchasing a cupcake at a bakery and offering coffee to anyone on the street who would stop to talk to him.

While most celebrities make their charitable giving known to the entire world, Keanu keeps quiet about his donations.He never makes big proclamations about donating to charity. “I came to Hollywood to be in movies. I feel really grateful that I’ve had that opportunity, but I’m just a private person, and it’s nice that can still exist,” he said. In interviews it’s apparent he doesn’t like sharing about his personal life.

In spite of the past tragedies in his life, he says he’s happy. He found a way to overcome by choosing to make the world a better place. He chooses the one thing that money can’t buy, kindness.

He enjoys plenty of excitement in his work ... jumping off a 46-storey building 19 times, and fight scenes performed while on horseback or on a racing motorbike. But it appears he’s equally excited about being kind, generous and helpful.

Hopefully there will be more people like him ... millionaires whose secret generosity does far more to improve the world than their publicly known claim to fame. We need more leaders who possess both humility and a kind heart.

Joan can be reached at joanjanzen@yahoo.com