Keanu Reeves is no stranger to global recognition, but his latest honor carries a deeply personal weight. The beloved actor has been inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame, an achievement he describes as both “good” and “surreal.”

In a heartfelt reflection, Reeves admitted that the recognition stirred emotions he didn’t quite expect. “My palms are sweaty, my heart’s beating, and frankly, I’m overwhelmed,” he shared. For Reeves, this moment wasn’t just about career milestones—it was about roots. “To have that kind of national recognition, just to know where I came from and to be here now, it’s overwhelming. What an extraordinary thing. I’m honored and grateful.”

Adding to the significance, his longtime friend and Matrix co-star Carrie-Anne Moss will deliver his induction speech. Reeves called her a “beautiful spirit” and reflected on their bond: “We’ve been in the creative cauldron together, making the Matrix films. To have her friendship and creative partnership over those years has been very special. To have someone I respect so much present this occasion—it means the world.”

Reeves also looked back on his early beginnings, recalling how at 15 he first told his mother, Patricia Taylor, that he wanted to become an actor. Her response—“whatever you want, darling”—paved the way for his decades-long career. “Thanks, Mom,” Reeves said warmly. “It’s where I declared that I loved movies, loved acting, and wanted to dedicate myself to the craft.”

Even at 57, Reeves says his enthusiasm for acting hasn’t dimmed. “The idea of play, of telling a story, inhabiting a character, collaborating to entertain and hopefully give people something to take away with—that’s what sustains me. I still love acting as much as I did when I was a kid. Now I’m a bit of a salty veteran, but I still love it.”

The actor also reflected on the legacy of his iconic roles—from Ted in Bill & Ted Face the Music to Neo in The Matrix and John Wick. “They’re fun, and they’re rich characters. They’re all searching for something, all trying to move or change their world. I’m grateful that audiences embraced them and allowed us to keep telling their stories.”

Reeves gave special credit to Chad Stahelski, his former stunt double turned director of the John Wick franchise. The two met while training for the first Matrix in the late ’90s, and Reeves credits Stahelski with helping him physically inhabit Neo. Their bond has since shaped modern action cinema. “It was unique—he paid attention to how I moved, who the character was. We were working on the role physically together. That collaboration has been extraordinary.”

When asked about his mother’s reaction to his induction, Reeves smiled. “She was kind of like, ‘Oh my…’ It’s something you can’t even think of, hope for, or dream for. She’s proud, and I know she’s happy for me.”

For Keanu Reeves, this recognition isn’t just a career highlight—it’s a full-circle moment. A boy who once nervously asked his mom if he could be an actor now stands as a Canadian icon celebrated on his nation’s Walk of Fame.

“It’s surreal, it’s good,” he said. “And it’s something I’ll always be grateful for.”