Before "The Matrix," He Starred in a Corn Flakes Commercial: 20 Rare Photos of Young Keanu (21 photos)

September 2 marks Keanu Reeves' birthday. Today, he is world-famous as Neo from "The Matrix" and John Wick—characters that defined entire eras in action cinema. But his path to these iconic roles was paved with over a decade of relentless hard work: bit parts on TV, period dramas, a cereal commercial, and rock gigs at Glastonbury. Here is a look back at his journey—from his first appearance on a Disney show to walking red carpets alongside Sandra Bullock and David Bowie.





1986: First Steps on Television

Keanu’s first notable TV role came in an episode of "The Magical World of Disney." Running from 1954 to 1997, it stands as one of the longest-running shows in American television history. Keanu appeared in an episode titled "Young Again," playing a supporting role in a story about a businessman who wishes to return to his youth.



Keanu on the set of "The Magical World of Disney" in 1986 at age 22.

Co-starring alongside him was actress Jessica Steen. Twelve years later, she would go on to play the co-pilot in the Bruce Willis blockbuster "Armageddon."





Keanu Reeves and Jessica Steen on the set of "The Magical World of Disney."

That same year, Reeves starred in the TV movie "Under the Influence" alongside classic American TV star Andy Griffith. Playing Eddie Talbot, the son of an alcoholic, it was a heavy dramatic role for the 22-year-old actor.



A still from the 1986 TV movie "Under the Influence," starring Andy Griffith and Keanu Reeves.

1987–1988: Cereal Commercials and "Dangerous Liaisons"

In 1987, Reeves starred in a commercial for Kellogg’s Corn Flakes and appeared in an episode of the comedy anthology series "Trying Times." Young and beaming, he looked nothing like the brooding action hero audiences would embrace in the 1990s.



Keanu Reeves in 1987, the same year he appeared in a Kellogg’s Corn Flakes commercial.

By 1988, he landed a role in "Dangerous Liaisons," sharing the screen with John Malkovich, Glenn Close, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Uma Thurman. The film won three Academy Awards. That same year, Reeves also managed to star in three other feature films: "The Night Before," "Permanent Record," and "The Prince of Pennsylvania," making 1988 one of the busiest years of his early career.



Keanu Reeves at the premiere of "Dangerous Liaisons" in 1988. The film went on to win 3 Academy Awards.



1988 was one of the most prolific years in Reeves' early career, featuring four film releases.

1989–1990: Bill, Ted, and Romantics

In 1989, "Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure" was released. Reeves played Ted "Theodore" Logan alongside Alex Winter. The movie instantly achieved cult status and launched Reeves into mainstream stardom.



Ted Logan in the flesh: Keanu Reeves in "Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure," 1989.

A year later, he starred in the comedy-drama "Tune in Tomorrow" alongside Peter Falk and Patricia Clarkson.



Keanu Reeves in "Tune in Tomorrow," 1990.

1991–1992: Swayze, Coppola, and David Bowie

In 1991, Reeves starred as an FBI agent in the thriller "Point Break" opposite Patrick Swayze. It marked his first major foray into high-octane action.



Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze in "Point Break," 1991—Reeves' first action hit.

The following year, he starred in Francis Ford Coppola's "Bram Stoker’s Dracula." He attended the Independent Spirit Awards alongside the director's daughter, Sofia Coppola.



Keanu Reeves and Sofia Coppola at the Independent Spirit Awards, 1992.

While filming "Dracula," Reeves met Winona Ryder. According to Hollywood lore, the two were technically married on set when a real Romanian priest performed their wedding scene. Ryder has frequently joked in interviews that she considers them officially married.



Keanu Reeves and David Bowie, 1992. Three years later, Reeves' band Dogstar would open for Bowie on tour.

This famous photograph with David Bowie was snapped in 1992. Three years later, Reeves' rock band Dogstar opened for Bowie during his American tour.

1993–1994: Shakespeare, Glastonbury, and "Speed"

In 1993, Reeves took on the villainous role of Don John in Kenneth Branagh's star-studded adaptation of Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing," sharing the screen with Denzel Washington, Emma Thompson, and Kate Beckinsale. He later admitted to feeling somewhat out of his depth among the classically trained stage actors. That same year, he made an appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."



Keanu Reeves as the villainous Don John in "Much Ado About Nothing," 1993.



Keanu Reeves on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," 1993.

1994 proved to be an extraordinarily packed year. His band Dogstar performed at the iconic Glastonbury Festival in the UK.



Keanu Reeves performing with Dogstar at Glastonbury, 1994.



On the set of "A Walk in the Clouds," 1994, co-starring Aitana Sánchez-Gijón.

He also filmed the romantic drama "A Walk in the Clouds," starring alongside Spanish-Italian actress Aitana Sánchez-Gijón.



Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock at the Los Angeles premiere of "Speed," 1994.

Reeves attended the Los Angeles premiere of the action blockbuster "Speed" alongside co-star Sandra Bullock. Made on a budget of $37 million, the film grossed $350 million worldwide and won two Academy Awards.

1995–1997: Cyberpunk, Crutches, and Hockey

In 1995, Reeves played the lead role in the cyberpunk thriller "Johnny Mnemonic," based on William Gibson's short story. The movie co-starred Dolph Lundgren and rapper Ice-T.



Keanu Reeves in the cyberpunk thriller "Johnny Mnemonic," 1995—four years before "The Matrix."

In 1996, he starred in the dark romantic comedy "Feeling Minnesota" opposite Cameron Diaz.



Keanu Reeves and Cameron Diaz in "Feeling Minnesota," 1996.

Reeves showed up to the premiere of "Stealing Beauty" on crutches—refusing to miss the event despite an injury. He walked the red carpet alongside Rachel Weisz, with whom he would soon co-star in "Chain Reaction."



Keanu Reeves on crutches—still hitting the red carpet alongside Rachel Weisz, 1996.

The final picture shows a candid moment after a celebrity charity hockey game. Having grown up in Toronto, Reeves played hockey since childhood. Back in 1986, before becoming a household name, he even starred in the hockey drama "Youngblood" alongside Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze.



Keanu Reeves after a charity hockey game in 1997. In Canada, hockey is practically a religion.

In just ten years, he went from a small spot on a Disney show to headlining red carpets and playing music festivals—and that was only the beginning. Which era of Keanu's career do you love most: his early roles in the 80s and 90s, or his iconic work in "The Matrix" and "John Wick"?