Keanu Reeves

Reeves in 2008, Entertainment Press / Shutterstock.com

Birth Name: Keanu Charles Reeves

Place of Birth: Beirut, Lebanon

Date of Birth: September 2, 1964

Ethnicity:
*father – Native Hawaiian (approx. 43.75%), Portuguese, English, Scottish, at least 1/16th Chinese, remote Dutch
*mother – English

Keanu Reeves is a Canadian actor, musician, director, writer, and producer. He is the star of the Bill & Ted, The Matrix, and John Wick franchises, and is also known for his roles in the films Youngblood, River’s Edge, Permanent Record, The Prince of Pennsylvania, Dangerous Liasions, Parenthood, I Love You to Death, Point Break, My Own Private Idaho, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Much Ado About Nothing, Little Buddha, Speed, Johnny Mnemonic, A Walk in the Clouds, The Devil’s Advocate, The Replacements, The Gift (2000), Hardball, Something’s Gotta Give, Constantine, A Scanner Darkly, The Lake House, Man of Tai Chi, 47 Ronin, Knock Knock, The Neon Demon, Siberia, Destination Wedding, and Replicas. He is a member of alternative rock band Dogstar.

Keanu was born in Beirut, Lebanon, to Patricia Taylor and Samuel Nowlin Reeves. His father, a geologist, is American-born, from Hawaii, and his mother, a dancer and costume designer, is English-born, from Essex. Keanu was raised by his mother in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and holds Canadian citizenship. During his childhood, he also lived in Sydney, Australia, and New York City, U.S.

Keanu’s father is of English, Native Hawaiian, Portuguese, Scottish, at least 1/16th Chinese, and remote Dutch, ancestry. Overall, Keanu is of roughly one quarter non-European descent. Keanu is said to be named after a great-great-uncle, Keaweaheulu, whose name means “soft breeze raising.”

Keanu was in a relationship with actress and production assistant Jennifer Syme, until her death in 2001. In 1999, the two had a daughter, who was stillborn.

Keanu’s paternal grandfather was Samuel Nowlin Reeves (the son of Charles Armistead Reeves and Rose Lokalia/Lokailia Miguel). Samuel was born in Hawaii. Charles was born in Tennessee, of English, Scottish, and distant Dutch, roots, and was the son of Sampson W. Reeves and Mary Virginia Arimstead Nowlin. Rose was the daughter of Joseph Miguel, who was Portuguese, from the island of Madeira, and of Waihine/Malaia Lokalia, who was of Native Hawaiian ancestry.

Keanu’s paternal grandmother was named Momilani/Monilani Sarah (Victor) Abrahams (the daughter of George Peter/Pahio Victor and Lillian/Lilian Kaholo Kahoalii Holmes). Sarah was born in Hawaii.

George was the son of Joseph Aiona Victor and Maggie Makakapu Pahio, and his race is listed as “Hawaiian” on U.S. Censuses. Keanu’s great-great-grandfather Joseph was the son of Kamukai/Kamokai/Kemukai (later Kamukai Victor) and Amelia/Emalia Ah Akoi, who were evidently both the children of Chinese fathers and Native Hawaiian mothers. Therefore, Joseph Aiona Victor was of one half Chinese descent, and Keanu Reeves is of (at least) one thirty two Chinese descent. Keanu’s great-great-grandmother Maggie Makakapu Pahio was a Native Hawaiian.

Keanu’s great-grandmother Lillian/Lilian is listed as “Caucasian Hawaiian” by race on the 1930 U.S. Census, and as “Part Hawaiian” by race on the 1940 U.S. Census. Lillian’s father, George Frederick Holmes, was from Lincolnshire, England, or Australia. Lillian’s mother, Elizabeth (Ku) Kaula o Keahi Kahoalii, was born in Hawaii.

05/15/2019 – Keanu Reeves – “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” Los Angeles Special Screening – Arrivals – TCL Chinese Theatre – Hollywood, CA, USA – Photo Credit: Kazuki Hirata / HollywoodNewsWire.net / PRPhotos.com

Sources: Article about perceptions of Keanu’s Asian heritage – https://www.inkstonenews.com

Genealogies of Keanu Reeves (focusing on his father’s side) – http://freepages.rootsweb.com
https://www.geni.com
https://www.wikitree.com

Article about Keanu’s father’s family – http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com

Keanu’s paternal grandfather, Samuel Nowlin Reeves, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Keanu’s paternal great-grandparents, Charles Armistead Reeves and Rose Lokalia/Lokailia Miguel, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Charles Armistead Reeves and Rose Lokalia/Lokailia Miguel on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Keanu’s paternal grandmother, Momilani/Monilani Sarah Victor, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Momilani/Monilani Sarah Victor on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Birth record of Keanu’s paternal great-grandfather, George Peter/Pahio Victor – https://familysearch.org

Keanu’s paternal great-grandfather, George Peter/Pahio Victor, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
George Peter/Pahio Victor on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
George Peter/Pahio Victor on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Keanu’s paternal great-great-great-grandparents, Kamukai/Kamokai/Kemukai (later Kamukai Victor) and Amelia/Emalia Ah Akoi, on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Information about Keanu’s paternal great-great-great-grandfather, Kamukai/Kamokai/Kemukai (later Kamukai Victor) – https://evols.library.manoa.hawaii.edu

Birth record of Keanu’s paternal great-grandmother, Lillian/Lilian Kaholo Kahoalii Holmes – https://www.familysearch.org