The Hilarious Evolution of the Keanu Reeves Meme

We'd say that actor Keanu Reeves is "having a moment" on the internet, but true meme lovers know that Keanu has been a popular fixture on the web humor circuit for close to a decade already. Back in 2010 the star of "The Matrix" was snapped by paparazzi eating a sandwich, prompting a Photoshop meme called "Sad Keanu" that still pops up online to this day. A still from "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" has also been a popular meme for years.

In 2019, however, the internet's love for all things Keanu reached new levels of fandom. His appearances in blockbuster films "John Wick 3" and "Toy Story 4" gave fans new material to work with, and campy appearances in Netflix's "Always Be My Maybe" and at CyberPunk2027 only fueled the fire. Every day Reddit cranks out memes about "the internet's boyfriend," and since he has a well-earned reputation for being kind to fans and animals, his popularity won't be waning anytime soon. Here's a brief history of the evolution of the Keanu Reeves meme from 2010 to present day.

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Conspiracy Keanu

This still from the 1989 comedy "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" has long been used along with Keanu's trademark "Whoa" to express disbelief. This image is often captioned with silly philosophical questions or paranoid fears.The meme has resurfaced thanks to confirmed reports that Keanu will be reprising his role alongside Alex Winters for a much-anticipated "Bill & Ted" sequel in 2021.

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We've Come a Long Way From Our Sad Keanu Days

Via Twitter

It's good to see our boyfriend looking more chipper. Who can blame him for cheering up now that the whole internet is in love with him?

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How Do Celebrities Age?

Via Reddit

Trick question! Keanu does not age.

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Keanu Reeves Does Not Age

Via Facebook

Either Keanu is one of those people who have found their doppelganger hanging on the wall of a museum, or the internet's theory that Keanu is a vampire who does not age is true.

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We'd Do Anything for Keanu

Via Twitter

If there's one thing the internet loves more than Keanu Reeves it's combining Keanu Reeves with stills from "The Simpsons."

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The Internet's Other Boyfriend

Via Reddit

Tom Hanks is one more actor who finds only love on the internet. He's just such a nice guy we can't help but love him!

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He'd Give You the Shirt Off His Back!

Via Reddit

Okay, some of those fan stories floating around miiiight be a bit fabricated.

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This Chart Is Scientifically Accurate

Via Reddit

You just can't argue with facts.

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Reddit Is Pretty Sure He's Really 'The Chosen One'

Via Reddit

Turning water into wine? All in a day's work.

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John Wick Will Hop on His Horse and Be Right Over

Via Reddit

"John Wick" is a 2014 neo-noir action film about an assassin (Reeves) seeking vengeance against mobsters for killing his dog. I mean, come on. The internet loves animals, so this role was guaranteed to become a meme staple!

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But Don't Let John Wick Fool You

Via Twitter

Keanu may play tough guys on screen, but in real life he's a teddy bear with a heart of gold.

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See? Acting!

Via Reddit

The tough guy act is all for show... and what a show it is!

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We'll Never Stop!

Via Reddit

And you can't make us.

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Keanu Keeps It Real in Interviews

Via Instagram

Keanu's interviews are always a trip and he's known for his frank and honest answers. His "Ask Me Anything" on Reddit is still one of the most popular AMAs to date.

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Keanu Reeves Takes No Chances

Via Twitter

In 2019 an observant Twitter user noticed that Keanu's "hover hands" game is strong! The actor seldom lays his hands on anyone he shares a photograph with, ostensibly because he has too much respect for others... but probably because he doesn't want to get sued.

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2019 Belongs to Keanu Reeves

Via Twitter

It would take the scandal of the century to knock this guy off his internet pedestal.

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Welcome to Reddit

Via Reddit

Redditors be issued a cat, a standard-sized crush on Keanu Reeves, and a weighted anxiety blanket upon admission to the site.

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I Do Believe You're Right

Via Reddit

Not even Star Wars memes can compete with this level of web fame.

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Wholesome Keanu Memes

Via Reddit

We've always loved wholesome memes, but adding a soupcon of Keanu makes them all the sweeter.

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Mini Keanu Reeves

Via Know Your Meme

Keanu Reeves is voicing the character of Johnny Silverhand in the 2020 role-playing video game Cyberpunk 2077. His appearance at the Microsoft's Xbox E3 2019 gaming conference to promote the upcoming game was a treasure trove for meme-makers everywhere. For some reason, people felt the need to digitally create a squat version of Keanu.

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Big Keanu and Mini Keanu

Via Instagram

"You are breathtaking!" is also a popular caption for the Mini Keanu memes.

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Keanu Reeves Walking in Slow Motion

Via Twitter

Yep, it's about as simple as it sounds. In 2019 Keanu appeared in the Netflix romantic comedy "Always Be My Maybe," playing an exaggerated version of himself. In one scene he enters a restaurant in slow motion, leading Twitter users to start editing the slo-mo walk to different songs. There's an entire Twitter account now set up to showcase these "Keanu Reeves Walking in Slow Motion" memes.

Someone has started an anonymous Change.org campaign to "Make Keanu Reeves 2019 Time's Person of the Year." They've received over 168,000 signatures to date!