Keanu Reeves, 59, talks 'crippling' obsession with dying and reveals why he's 'thinking about death all the time'

Keanu Reeves admitted that mortality is often on his mind, despite his reputation for being 'eternally youthful.' 

'I'm 59, so I'm thinking about death all the time,' the Matrix vet told BBC News on Monday. 

The actor joined author China Miéville on the BBC to promote their new novel, The Book of Elsewhere, which features an immortal character eager to die, explaining why the morbid topic came up.

The John Wick star added that he's trying to keep the focus on death in perspective. 

'Hopefully it's not crippling, but hopefully it's sensitized [us] to an appreciation of the breath we have, and the relationships that we have the potential to have,' he explained. 

Keanu Reeves admitted that mortality is often on his mind, despite his reputation for being 'eternally youthful'; (pictured June 2023)

'I'm 59, so I'm thinking about death all the time,' the Matrix vet told BBC News on Monday; (pictured July 22, 2023)

The Book of Elsewhere draws inspiration from the popular BRZRKR comic book series, created by Keanu Reeves.

Launched in 2021 and pronounced 'berserker,' BRZRKR is slated for a live-action adaptation on Netflix with Reeves in the lead role, along with an upcoming anime series.

'I love the images,' Keanu said of comic books. 'I love words and storytelling and I love the way that you can have this engagement that overlays. 

'And so you can look at the art and then you can follow the story.'

The book promotional comes after Keanu was living his life to the fullest as he and his girlfriend Alexandra Grant stole the spotlight at the MotoGP Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix in Germany last week.

Keanu and Alexandra beamed as they navigated through the crowd, eventually getting the chance to wave the checkered flag. 

The MotoGP event was a perfect date choice for the couple, given that Keanu founded his own custom motorcycle company, ARCH Motorcycle, in 2011. 

In May, the couple's social calendar included a stylish outing at the Hammer Museum's Gala in the Garden, where they dressed to impress. 

The book promotional comes after Keanu was living his life to the fullest as he and his girlfriend Alexandra Grant stole the spotlight at the MotoGP Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix in Germany last week

Keanu and Alexandra beamed as they navigated through the crowd, eventually getting the chance to wave the checkered flag

They were also spotted enjoying a dinner together at Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica, California, later that month.

Keanu and Alexandra went public with their relationship in November 2019, when they graced the red carpet together at the LACMA Art + Film Gala.

The revelation sparked significant interest, with the artist mentioning a flood of inquiries about the romance from all corners. 

'I think every single person I knew called me in the first week of November, and that's fascinating,' she told British Vogue a few months later.

The couple, who run a publishing house called X Artists’ Books together, have been close friends for decades.

Alexandra's friend, actress Jennifer Tilly, revealed the couple have been dating 'for years' in February 2020.

'I remember a couple years ago, about a year and a half ago, [Alexandra] said, ‘Keanu Reeves is my boyfriend’ and I’m like, ‘Wait. What? What? What?’" the Chucky star told Page Six. 

While the exact moment of their meeting remains uncertain, the relationship traces back to at least 2011, coinciding with the publication of their book, Ode to Happiness.

Keanu and Alexandra Grant stole the spotlight at the MOCA Gala 2024

In September 2023, Alexandra told People Keanu helped take her art to a new level.

'I had a studio visit a few years ago, and this very kind, very high-level person said, "I can see that your work has gotten happier,’"' she recalled.

'That's real. We're all human beings. We're animals. We're expressing from where we are. I think the work is happier.'

She went on to call Keanu her 'inspiration.'

In March of last year, Keanu offered some insight into his relationship with Alexandra. 

When he was asked to name his 'last moment of bliss,' he told People: 'A couple of days ago with my honey. We were in bed. We were connected.'

He added: 'We were smiling and laughing and giggling. Feeling great. It was just really nice to be together.'

Keanu and Alexandra delighted the shutterbugs with their affectionate display before sharing a tender kiss in the museum's lobby

Keanu is set to star in the upcoming film Good Fortune, which marks the directorial debut of Aziz Ansari. Joining Ansari in the cast are Seth Rogen and Keke Palmer.

Following a delay caused by last year's writers' strike, filming for Good Fortune commenced in January 2024, taking place in LA's Koreatown neighborhood.

Reeves has built a devoted following over his nearly four-decade career, notably for his memorable depiction of a hitman in the hugely popular John Wick franchise.

Before John Wick, he achieved renown for his portrayal of Neo in the groundbreaking Matrix series, spanning releases in 1999, 2003, 2002, and a recent installment in 2021.