Keanu Reeves once bought an ice cream just to give his autograph to a 16-year-old
'I realized you probably wanted my autograph. So I signed this...'
In 2001, Keanu Reeves showed up at a movie theater in Sydney to watch Johnny Depp's film, "From Hell." There, he met a teenager working at the counter who really wanted his autograph but couldn't ask him directly. So Keanu bought an ice cream, only so he could sign the back of the receipt paper and scribble his autograph for his 16-year-old fan. On May 17, 2019. James Dator (@james_dator), the guy at the movie theater, shared his sweet encounter with the "John Wick" actor, which took place in 2001.
James was working on a Wednesday morning when he saw a man walk up to him, wearing jeans, a leather jacket, and an "equestrian-looking" helmet. "It takes me a solid 30 seconds to ignore the helmet and realize it's Keanu Reeves," he recalled. Reeves asked for a ticket for Johnny Depp's horror-crime, and James, who was totally star-struck, offered him his employee discount. "This means he needs to sign my sheet, and therefore, I have his autograph," he thought; however, Keanu politely declined it, saying, "I don't work here." James didn't know how to react, so he gave the actor the ticket at the normal price. James was sad that he missed such an opportunity to get Keanu's autograph, oblivious to what would unfold minutes later. He heard a knock on the door and realized it was Keanu. "I realized you probably wanted my autograph. So I signed this," he said, handing James a receipt. It turned out that Keanu had bought an ice cream just so that he could sign the back of the receipt and give his autograph to his fan. "He then casually throws an ice cream cone in the trash can and sees his movie," James added.
Keanu came to the movie theater I worked at in Sydney in 2001. He was working on the Matrix series at the time. It’s a quiet, Wednesday morning — almost nobody is seeing movies.
— James Dator (@James_Dator) May 17, 2019
Why is this story special? Well, it isn't special because a 16-year-old had the most unexpected encounter with such a great actor, but for the fact that Keanu went above and beyond to make his fan feel special. A celebrity's autograph was once something people could only get if they were lucky enough to meet them in person, but now it comes with a price. In fact, prices are set by the talent’s agents and managers, the New York Post reported. "Someone that has a long career may have more value than someone who has one movie out," Joe Lamothe, the president of Celebrity Authentics, a company that books autograph sessions at Comic Cons, said. Considering the trend, it was actually too good of "The Matrix" actor to understand his fan's wish, and give him what he wanted without making it a great deal.
Besides movies, Keanu has always been in the news for his kindness, and his fans love and adore him for his genuine self. For instance, @donthityourbro commented, "I have to say, I love that these stories are coming out while he’s alive so he gets to experience the admiration he seems to deserve." @kembageorge wrote, "The more stories I read about him, the more of a fan I become; he seems like a genuinely nice guy." @wiktoriano said, "I always hear only good things about Keanu from people who met him, and it makes me admire him even more."
Keanu Reeves must be protected at all costs. What a pure soul! He deserves all the happiness there is. ❤️
— Prizmi Tripathi (@TripathiPrizmi) May 18, 2019
I always wanted to dislike Keanu Reeves but he makes it next to impossible to do so.
— Degenerate Gentleman (@iAMmrDebbie) May 18, 2019
@teditsodani wrote, "Every story I've heard of meeting him has always come across as a nice, humble guy, plus he still uses public transport. It's pleasing to see people like that are still there." Meanwhile, @jamesontivero recalled, "I met him at Laguna Seca. I work at a sports network and went up to him as a fan. Believe it or not, he was more interested in my job at the network and wanted to know more about our company than signing autographs. Class act!" @jaideliete said, "Every once in a while, a hero comes along that’s worth meeting. Now, please excuse me while I attempt to stave off tears when thinking about the incredibly rare caliber of good dude that Keanu Reeves is."
You can follow James Dator (@james_dator) on X for lifestyle content.
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