Keanu Reeves is a Lebanese-Canadian actor who became famous thanks to his roles in ‘Point Break’, ‘Speed’, ‘The Matrix’, and ‘John Wick’. He’s known as one of the nicest people in Hollywood, but can he be classed as one of the nicest-smelling?
Keanu Reeves opts for one of two fragrances by Helmut Lang: either ‘Cuiron Pour Homme’ or the aptly named ‘Eau de Parfum’. Both colognes are woody, but ‘Cuiron Pour Homme’ has hints of citrus, leather, tobacco, and spices while ‘Eau de Parfum’ smells more floral, fresh, and musky.
Let’s take a closer look at what cologne Keanu Reeves wears, as well as his past issues with body odor and why it didn’t bother him — so it shouldn’t bother anyone else. Let’s take a whiff!
Who Is Keanu Reeves?
Keanu Charles Reeves was born on 2 September 1964 in Beirut, Lebanon, to parents Patricia Taylor and Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr. The English translation of his name means ‘cool breeze over the mountains’.
When he was just three years old Samuel abandoned the family, who moved to Australia and settled in Sydney where they remained for four years until Patricia remarried. Thereafter, Keanu moved to Canada.
Keanu spent most of his childhood in a Toronto neighborhood called Yorkville where he attended four different high schools and was expelled from one of them. Academia was not his focus, and by the time he turned 15 years old, he knew he wanted to become an actor.
The star dropped out of school at the age of 17 and three years later he moved to Los Angeles to begin his career. His acting debut was in a ‘Coca-Cola’ commercial and an episode of ‘Hangin’ In’ in 1984.
Over the next few years, Keanu appeared in several films and television series and even earned himself seven Academy Award nominations. His big break came in 1991 when he starred in ‘Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey’.
In the years 1991 to 1994 Keanu’s career exploded and he starred alongside the likes of River Phoenix, Patrick Swayze, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, and Sandra Bullock.
Keanu became interested in science fiction and soon began auditioning for roles within this genre, and by 1999 he got the role of Thomas Anderson in ‘The Matrix’ and his career soared to new heights.
More recently, Keanu has become an idol in Hollywood for being a great human being. He is known to assist in emergencies, advise fans, opted for salary cuts so other actors could be involved in his films,
Keanu Reeves and His Cologne Preferences
According to Celebrity Fragrance Guide, Keanu wears ‘Helmut Lang Eau de Parfum’ and ‘Helmut Lang Cuiron Pour Homme’.
‘Cuiron Pour Homme’ by Helmut Lang is a woody chypre fragrance for men that boasts notes of cinnamon, pepper, suede, tobacco, mandarin orange, bergamot, and labdanum.
‘Helmut Lang Eau de Parfum’ is a woody scent for men and women that was released in 2000 and relaunched in 2014. It is described as “woody, white floral, powdery, and aromatic.”
The fragrance contains notes of lavender, rosemary, orange blossom, sandalwood, artemisia, jasmine, rose, patchouli, heliotrope, lily-of-the-valley, and Virginia cedar.
When it comes to the Eau de Parfum, other celebrities that reach for ‘Helmut Lang’ include Hillary Swank, Kristin Davies, and Teri Polo.
Even though it’s a well-established fact that Keanu wears both of the ‘Helmut Lang’ fragrances mentioned above, that doesn’t stop his fans from dreaming about Keanu’s scent. There’s even an entire Fragrantica discussion board that covers the topic!
What Does Keanu Reeves Smell Like?
For a while, people were commenting that Keanu lacked basic bodily hygiene. In a 2002 interview with Penthouse Magazine, he finally addressed the unpleasant rumors.
He said, “I think my body odor must have sometimes been really difficult for some of my colleagues. But at the time, it really wasn’t important to me. You can always take a shower; but talent, you either have it or not.”
In the same interview, when accused of being arrogant for thinking this way, he clarified “But it’s not meant like that…. There are more important things in life than deodorant.”
Thankfully, years later, Chris Collins cleared things up with Indie Wire. When asked by the publication what Keanu smells like he responded “Wow. These days he’s smelling pretty fresh.”