Keanu Reeves has built a career that spans generations, from Bill and Ted to The Matrix to John Wick.

Fans love him not only for his iconic roles, but for his humility and the sense that he is still a fan of cinema himself.

Though he is a global superstar, Keanu has never stopped being that kid who loved movies and admired the greats.

When asked about the actors who inspire him most, Keanu’s choices are never based on popularity or box office numbers.

His list reflects something deeper: admiration for authenticity, intensity, and artistry.

Some of the names are legendary figures from Hollywood’s golden age.

Others are co-stars who shaped his career, mentors who guided him, or friends whose influence has never left him.

Together, they reveal a portrait of who Keanu Reeves really is—not just as an actor, but as a person.

Marlon Brando
When Keanu speaks about his favorite actors, one name consistently rises to the top: Marlon Brando.

To Keanu, Brando is not just another Hollywood legend; he is the man who reshaped the very idea of what acting could be.

Brando brought intensity and naturalism to the screen in a way that had never been seen before.

His performances in A Streetcar Named Desire and On the Waterfront felt raw, alive, and unpredictable.

For Keanu, who has always gravitated toward authenticity, Brando embodied the idea that acting is not about pretending, but about being.

Keanu has referred to Brando as the godfather of acting, a man whose influence extended far beyond his own films.

Even as Brando’s later years were marked by eccentric choices, his legacy as a revolutionary force in cinema remained untouchable.

While Keanu does not mimic Brando’s style, he shares the same commitment to truth in performance.

Whether portraying Neo questioning reality in The Matrix or John Wick grieving his lost wife, there is an honesty to Keanu’s acting that echoes Brando’s philosophy: keep it real, keep it human.

James Dean
Another tragic icon on Keanu’s list is James Dean.

For Keanu Reeves, Dean represents the raw, youthful energy that comes only once in a generation.

Dean’s career spanned just three films—East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, and Giant—but the intensity of those performances secured his status as a cultural icon.

Keanu has often spoken about how Dean’s vulnerability and unpredictability on screen felt like a window into the human soul.

Unlike the polished stars of his era, Dean seemed fragile yet magnetic, making his characters unforgettable.

This honesty resonated with Keanu, who built his own career around understated yet deeply human performances.

There is also a personal kinship: both Dean and Keanu carry a quiet melancholy, a thoughtful coolness rooted in introspection rather than bravado.

Keanu has called Dean’s work timeless, admiring how his emotions still feel fresh decades later.

Dean’s untimely death at 24 only intensified his mythos.

For Keanu, Dean proves that an actor’s impact is measured in truth, not in years.

Paul Newman
While Dean embodied youthful rebellion, Keanu also admires actors who exemplify maturity and wisdom, such as Paul Newman.

Newman was more than a movie star; he was the embodiment of authenticity.

From Cool Hand Luke to The Verdict, Newman carried himself with quiet strength, subtlety, and effortless presence.

For Keanu, Newman represents the kind of acting that does not rely on theatrics but on authenticity and humanity.

Newman could communicate volumes with just a glance, a restraint that Keanu himself incorporates into his performances.

It was not only Newman’s work on screen that inspired Keanu.

Newman’s philanthropy, racing career, and decades-long marriage to Joanne Woodward demonstrated a balance rarely seen in Hollywood.

Keanu admires actors who remain true to themselves despite fame, and Newman set the gold standard for integrity.

Robert De Niro
From quiet strength, Keanu moves to fiery intensity with Robert De Niro.

De Niro has been called one of the greatest actors alive, and Keanu fully agrees.

From Taxi Driver to Raging Bull to Heat, De Niro exemplifies total commitment to character.

He does not just act; he transforms.

Whether gaining weight for Raging Bull or immersing himself in the psychology of Travis Bickle, De Niro embodies roles so completely that audiences forget they are watching him.

Keanu admires actors who disappear into their characters, an ethos he brings to his own work.

From Neo to John Wick, Keanu’s performances are defined by dedication rather than flashy acting.

De Niro also demonstrates the kind of longevity Keanu aspires to, balancing prestige dramas with mainstream projects over decades.

Al Pacino
Where De Niro represents transformation, Al Pacino embodies pure electricity.

For Keanu Reeves, working with Pacino was career-defining.

They starred together in The Devil’s Advocate in 1997, where Pacino played the devil himself opposite Keanu’s ambitious young lawyer.

Keanu described Pacino as electric, someone who can command a scene with sheer presence.

Pacino’s legendary performances in The Godfather, Serpico, and Scarface showcase intensity, charisma, and moral complexity.

Keanu admires actors who bring truth to extremes, who can be larger than life while remaining real.

Pacino’s generosity as a co-star, giving Keanu space to explore while elevating his performance, left a deep impression on him.

Working with Pacino was not just a bucket-list moment—it was a masterclass in acting.

River Phoenix
Of all the names on Keanu’s list, none is more personal than River Phoenix.

Their friendship, though brief, left a lasting imprint on Keanu.

They bonded over music, art, and shared feelings of being outsiders in Hollywood.

They co-starred in Gus Van Sant’s My Own Private Idaho in 1991, a cult classic that showcased River’s vulnerability and Keanu’s quiet intensity.

For Keanu, it was more than a film—it was a journey with a friend.

River’s generosity, fearlessness, and talent deeply influenced Keanu.

Tragically, River died in 1993 at just 23 years old.

Keanu rarely speaks in detail about the loss, but when he does, his emotion is palpable.

He honors River not just as an actor, but as a friend who shaped the man he became.

Peter O’Toole
From the personal to the classically trained, Keanu’s list includes Peter O’Toole.

Known for his commanding performance in Lawrence of Arabia, O’Toole embodied classical gravitas and theatrical precision.

Keanu admires actors who bridge stage discipline with cinematic intimacy.

O’Toole filled the screen not with shouting or theatrics, but with sheer presence.

He represents artistry that endures across decades, a lifelong dedication to craft.

Cate Blanchett
Cate Blanchett represents versatility and fearlessness.

Keanu praises her ability to move seamlessly from blockbusters to intimate arthouse films—from Elizabeth to Blue Jasmine to Thor: Ragnarok.

Blanchett embodies authenticity in every role, transforming so completely that the audience forgets her real identity.

Keanu admires her discipline, grounded approach, and humility.

She exemplifies the qualities Keanu values most: authenticity, dedication, and fearless storytelling.

Tilda Swinton
Tilda Swinton is often described as otherworldly, a quality Keanu deeply respects.

They worked together on Constantine in 2005, where Swinton played the Archangel Gabriel opposite Keanu’s weary exorcist.

Her ability to transcend typecasting, to fully inhabit characters that feel almost unreal, inspired Keanu.

Swinton demonstrates that truth can exist even in the most fantastical roles, a lesson Keanu has carried into his own work.

Laurence Fishburne
Laurence Fishburne is both a favorite actor and an important collaborator.

They worked together in The Matrix, where Fishburne’s Morpheus served as both a mentor on screen and a guide off-screen.

Keanu admires Fishburne’s commanding presence, versatility, and authenticity.

He respects Fishburne as a co-star, mentor, and friend who elevates everyone around him.

Gary Oldman
Gary Oldman embodies versatility and fearlessness.

From Sid Vicious to Winston Churchill, Oldman disappears into every role.

Keanu worked with him on Bram Stoker’s Dracula in 1992, witnessing firsthand Oldman’s mastery and dedication.

Oldman’s fearlessness, willingness to embrace unlikable or bizarre roles, and complete immersion left a permanent impression on Keanu.

Crispin Glover
Crispin Glover, known for eccentricity and unpredictability, is another favorite.

They worked together on River’s Edge in 1986, one of Keanu’s earliest films.

Glover’s intensity and commitment to risk-taking fascinated Keanu.

He admires actors who bring unique energy to every role, even when it defies convention.

Why These Actors?
Keanu Reeves’s favorite actors reveal his philosophy: he values authenticity, intensity, and humanity.

Marlon Brando, James Dean, and Paul Newman embody truth and classical excellence.

Robert De Niro and Al Pacino exemplify transformation and intensity.

River Phoenix and Laurence Fishburne highlight friendship, mentorship, and personal impact.

Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton showcase versatility and fearlessness.

Gary Oldman and Crispin Glover represent risk-taking and unconventional talent.

Together, these names reveal an actor who admires artists who are fearless, generous, and humane.

They reflect Keanu Reeves himself: committed, authentic, and eternally devoted to the craft of acting.