Keanu Reeves Reacts To A Friends Star’s Insult
Keanu Reeves responded to Matthew Perry's memoir comments, by saying they were completely out of "left field."
Friends star Matthew Perry made some questionable comments about Keanu Reeves in his autobiography, which was released on November 1. In it, he laments the passing of stars River Phoenix, Chris Farley, and Heath Ledger, and wonders why Keanu Reeves is still alive. Screen Rant reports that an inside source says Keanu Reeves has reacted to Perry’s statements, simply stating that Perry’s comments were surprising.
According to an anonymous source close to Keanu Reeves, the actor was surprised by the mention. “Keanu thought the comments came out of left field. It’s kind of backfired on Matthew anyway, which is why he had to apologize,” the source claims. Keanu Reeves is known for being very calm and compassionate, so it is not unexpected that he hasn’t taken to the press to rant a response.
In an excerpt from his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, Matthew Perry takes some time to reflect on the passing of these celebrities, suddenly adding, “Why is it that original thinkers like River Phoenix and Heath Ledger die, but Keanu Reeves still walks among us?” The question is posed in relation to the deaths of both River Phoenix and Chris Farley. Perry even admits that news of Farley’s death upset him so much that he punched a hole in the wall of Jennifer Aniston’s dressing room.
Keanu Reeves is a beloved actor and famous philanthropist who is jokingly referred to as “the internet’s boyfriend.” Photos of the John Wick star in random casual places, such as sitting on a public bench eating a sandwich, often fill social media. So, when the excerpts of Matthew Perry’s memoir were released, fans took to social media in anger over comments they say came out of nowhere.
The backlash caused Matthew Perry to backpedal and apologize, claiming he chose Keanu Reeves at random and should have named himself. It is arguable that the actor was making a deeper point about life and death, but the comment was received as a wish that it had been the Bill & Ted star that passed rather than the deceased actors. The internet did its job in making sure that Perry’s choosing to name Reeves was not taken lightly, especially considering Reeves is arguably the most beloved actor in Hollywood.
There is a lot in Matthew Perry’s memoir that isn’t controversial, apart from randomly mentioning Keanu Reeves. The former Friends star talks about his time on the show and his struggles with alcoholism and addiction, as well as how opioid addiction nearly cost him his life. Recently, it was revealed in advance of his autobiography that he had nearly died from a ruptured colon caused by years of opioid abuse and was given a 2% chance to survive.
The book also talks about lighthearted moments with the cast of Friends and other more touching moments in the actor’s life and career, prompting critics of the comments about Keanu Reeves to theorize that they were deliberately left in to stir up controversy and prompt people to buy it. The comments came off as mean-spirited toward a beloved actor, and Matthew Perry has had to take responsibility for his words. The fact that Keanu Reeves barely seems bothered, is a testament to why Perry’s comments were so unpopular with fans.
