Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves have one of Hollywood’s most enduring friendships, sparking curiosity among fans about the nature of their relationship. With their heartfelt public interactions and longstanding bond, many wonder how these two iconic stars became such close friends.
Here’s everything you need to know about the history of Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves’ friendship.
Are Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves friends?
Yes, Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves are indeed friends in real life. Their friendship began in the late ’80s and has grown stronger over the years.
In a 2018 interview with People, both stars reminisced about their first meeting at the Independent Spirit Awards at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Reeves recalled, “We met in the late 80s, like ’87, ’88,” while Ryder added, “It wasn’t televised. Buck Henry was the emcee, and we gave out Best Supporting Actor.”
Their bond deepened before they worked together on the 1992 gothic horror film, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Interestingly, it was Ryder who recommended Reeves for the role of Jonathan Harker, a fact revealed by Coppola in a 2005 interview with Premiere magazine. (via Vulture)
Since then, Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves have collaborated on several films, including A Scanner Darkly (2006), The Private Lives of Pippa Lee (2009), and Destination Wedding (2018).
A fun fact about their friendship is that Ryder believes they might actually be married in real life. “We actually got married in Dracula,” Ryder told Entertainment Weekly during a joint interview with Reeves. “No, I swear to god I think we’re married in real life.”
Ryder claimed that during the filming of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, a real Romanian priest officiated their on-screen wedding. “We shot the master and he did the whole thing. So I think we’re married,” Ryder said.
This led Reeves to ask if they said yes. In response, Ryder reminded him that the scene was shot on Valentine’s Day. “Oh my gosh, we’re married,” Reeves subsequently exclaimed. Recently, Ryder revealed during her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that she and Reeves still call each other husband and wife in text messages. (via The Economic Times)
Despite their playful banter and mutual admiration, they’ve never dated.
