Today, Keanu Reeves practically has everything that most people want – a successful career and a loving relationship. The actor, who is also known as the nicest man in Hollywood, has certainly figured out how to have it all. Onscreen, he’s the main star behind both The Matrix and John Wick franchises. Away from the set, Reeves has been happily spending time with his longtime girlfriend Alexandra Grant.
It’s hard to imagine that many years ago, Reeves’ life was marred with tragedy. And perhaps, that poignant moment in his life is also the reason why fans think that the Hollywood A-lister has a daughter.
Does Keanu Reeves Have A Child?
via InstarDuring Reeves’ younger years, he met a young woman named Jennifer Syme. They were reportedly introduced to each other during a party for Reeves’ rock band, Dogstar, although Syme’s mother would later dispute those claims, saying that the two had known each other for over a decade.
It is also possible that the two met because both had already been working in the entertainment industry around that time. After her family moved to Los Angeles, Syme worked as an intern for director David Lynch.
She would also later try her hand at acting, although she would only have a few acting credits (her films include Lynch’s Lost Highway and Ellie Parker alongside Naomi Watts). Perhaps, at some point, she encountered Reeves and sparks flew.
During their time together, Syme and Reeves’ relationship became the subject of tabloids. It didn’t seem to bother the couple much though, as it was later announced that they were expecting their first child.
Everything was going well, and the couple looked very much in love.
What Happened To Keanu Reeves’ Daughter?
Syme later gave birth to a daughter who was stillborn, and the couple decided to name her Ava. According to reports, she had been born on Christmas Eve, which was a month before Syme’s due date.
Shortly after, Reeves and Syme also decided to split up, and it was claimed that the breakup was due to Syme suffering from postnatal depression. While it is unclear if they tried to get back together after that (although there were unconfirmed reports that they started dating again), Syme would die just two years later in a car accident.
According to reports, Reeves was in utter shock upon learning of Syme’s accident. Syme died after she lost control of her vehicle while driving in Los Angeles. Later on, Reeves was pictured serving as one of the pallbearers at her funeral.
Syme was buried at the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles next to Ava. Lynch would also later make a dedication to Syme in the closing credits of his film Mulholland Drive.
Since the tragedy, Reeves hasn’t said much about Syme or Ava, although he spoke candidly about losing loved ones (including his best friend, actor River Phoenix) during a sit-down with Parade magazine (via People) in 2006.
“I miss being a part of their lives and them being a part of mine,” Reeves admitted. “I wonder what the present would be like if they were here – what we might have done together. I miss all the great things that will never be.” The actor also said that when one’s loved ones are gone, “you’re alone.”
More recently, in 2019, the actor also revealed that his own traumatic past helped him relate to the character of John Wick as he was preparing for the role. In the first John Wick movie, Reeves’ character is a recent widow who is trying to cope with the loss of his wife with the help of a puppy she got for him.
“I absolutely relate to that, and I don’t think you ever work through it,” Reeves explained during a 2019 interview with Guardian. “Grief and loss, those are things that don’t ever go away. They stay with you.”
Fans Also Think Keanu Reeves Might Be Married
Now, Reeves may continue to mourn the loss of family and friends to this day, but that hasn’t stopped the actor from finding happiness again. The actor might have even gotten married at one point. Years ago, Reeves and actress Winona Ryder starred together in the Francis Ford Coppola fantasy horror film Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
For a wedding scene in the film, it was later revealed that Coppola brought in an actual Romanian priest to hold the marriage ceremony. Since then, Ryder has famously claimed that she and Reeves are married. In response, the actor told Esquire, “So I guess we’re married… under the eyes of God.”
Today, the veteran actor continues to be in a loving relationship with Grant, and lately, the couple had also become more public with their relationship. Reeves and Grant reportedly first met at a dinner party way back in 2009.
Since then, the two went on to collaborate on two books: Ode to Happiness and Shadows. In 2017, Reeves and Grant also launched X Artists’ Books together. Years later, it was also confirmed that the two are an item.
Since then, the couple has been pictured together on various red carpets. That said, despite speculations, Reeves and Grant don’t appear to be in a rush to tie the knot at this time.