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Keanu Reeves is no stranger to tragedy in his life, but he once shared the most beautiful outlook about what happens after death. Reeves continues to win fan praise for being one of the most down to earth celebrities, but this quote about what happens after we die is simple, yet profound.

Keanu Reeves attends the 92nd Annual Academy Awards on February 09, 2020 in Hollywood, California
Keanu Reeves | Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Keanu Reeves has a tragic past

Reeves has long been admired for his optimistic attitude and the way he’s stayed grounded despite his successful career. While he’s enjoyed a successful professional career, his personal life has sadly involved many tragedies.

Among the sad events that played out in Reeves’ life was the death of his friend, actor River Phoenix, who died of a drug overdose in 1993. Additionally, Reeve’s girlfriend Jennifer Syme gave birth to their stillborn baby daughter in 1999. The two remained close friends after their split but Syme later died in a car crash in 2001.

Keanu Reeves’ thoughts on what happens when we die are perfection

Reeves was put on the spot in a 2019 interview when asked what he thinks happens after we die, but his answer was such a simple and beautiful sentiment.

During an appearance on a May 2019 episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Reeves discussed Bill and Ted Face the Music, the third installment of the franchise. In discussing the plot, Reeves revealed, “They were supposed to write the song that was supposed to unite the world and bring peace and everything, but they haven’t.”

Bill and Ted find out that their song will “have to save the universe,” but they only have 80 minutes to write it. “It’s the end of the universe,” Reeves said if the duo doesn’t succeed at their task. “It’s the end of time and space continuum. It’s all over.”

Colbert remarked, “So you’re facing your own mortality and the mortality of all existence.”

“Yeah,” Reeves said.

Then Colbert dropped a heavy question on the actor, asking him, “What do you think happens when we die, Keanu Reeves?”

“I know that the ones who love us will miss us,” Reeves answered.

Colbert sat in the silence of the actor’s profound remark before shaking his hand and reminding the audience of Reeves’ upcoming film in theatres at the time, John Wick: Chapter 3.

Fans love Keanu Reeves’ respectful and generous nature

Reeves has won over fans for his kind nature, from the way he has been dubbed the “internet’s boyfriend” to his immense generosity.

The distinction of the “internet’s boyfriend” was a big surprise to Reeves. When asked how he felt about the nickname during an interview at the premiere of Toy Story 4, he called it “wacky.”

He also famously gifted a dozen stunt men with Harley-Davidson motorcycles when The Matrix Reloaded Wrapped.

“We were all in this thing, and we were training together beforehand,” Reeves told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. “I just wanted… to give a bigger thank-you to all these guys who helped me make this, I think, one of the great movie fights in the history of cinema.”