Keanu Reeves breaks into song defending the viral Sad Keanu meme. Reeves is currently starring in The Matrix Resurrections, which releases later this month in theaters and on HBO Max. The megastar of the Bill & Ted franchise, The Matrix franchise, and the John Wick franchise, Reeves has been a staple in Hollywood since the mid-80s, going from comedic stoner-type roles to heroic leading man roles, growing in popularity so much so that memes are constantly created from his on and off-screen life.

The Sad Keanu meme stems from a paparazzi photo taken of Reeves in 2010 where the actor is seen sitting on a bench in New York eating a sandwich by himself, looking somewhat lost in thought. The meme took off once it hit the Internet, particularly Reddit, sparking all manner of various photoshop memes that continue to this day, despite the copyright owners constantly attempting to have the memes taken down. The meme has been featured on websites, referenced throughout pop culture, and even had bootleg products made of it, from t-shirts to statues.

While promoting The Matrix Resurrections, Keanu Reeves appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, addressing the meme before breaking into song about it. Reeves explains that he was "just eating a sandwich" and that he was "thinking" and "had some stuff going on" when the paparazzi photo was taken. Colbert holds up a copy of Reeves' comic book BRZRKR, where artist Ron Garney drew a variation of the sad Keanu meme in a frame of the book. Reeves good-naturally responds, saying that he didn't know the artist was going to do that, but views it as "kind of meta." Colbert then asks Reeves why he thinks he's so "meme-able" to which the actor says he has no clue, before breaking into a song variation of "Lean on Me" but as "Meme on me." Check out the video below:

Reeves recently wrapped John Wick: Chapter 4 and is set to begin work on John Wick: Chapter 5 shortly. The John Wick franchise has become the most successful ever for Lionsgate, and Reeves has committed to and embraced the role. The 57-year-old actor has said repeatedly that he'd love to play the character of John Constantine again, and recently revisited his Bill & Ted role in 2020's Bill & Ted Face The Music. The actor will supply his voice to next year's DC's League of Super-Pets in an undisclosed role and is also gearing up to star in the adaptation of his comic book, BRZRKR.

As an actor, Keanu Reeves has had a tremendous career with numerous memorable roles and performances, some better than others. As a person, Reeves has constantly presented himself as an earnest, humble, self-aware, and wise individual with an easy sense of humor. The actor may get caught on camera frequently, be it eating a sandwich on a bench or shooting targets in the desert, but he always comes off as a genuine person in real life as much as he is a strong presence on camera. Reeves goes back to The Matrix in The Matrix Resurrections, releasing in theaters and HBO Max on December 22nd.

Next: Every Keanu Reeves Sci-Fi Movie Ranked Worst to Best

Source: Stephen Colbert

  • The Matrix Resurrections (2021)Release date: Dec 22, 2021

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Paul Shirey (857 Articles Published)

Paul Shirey is a senior news and features writer for Screen Rant. Formerly the Editor-in-Chief of JoBlo.com, he has over a decade of experience in writing and reporting about the entertainment industry, covering everything from Comic Con to CinemaCon to Star Wars Celebration and beyond, as well as covering numerous set visits and junkets all over the world. He is passionate about film, comics, TV and spends way too much on collectibles. A proud father, a combat veteran, gym rat, coffee enthusiast and all around equal opportunity doughnut devourer, you can follow him on Twitter and Instagram, as well as YouTube Videos on The Arctic Ninja Network.

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