Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr. may be most famous for being the estranged father of Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves, but his father’s own life is one of highs and lows. While he played very little role in the life of his son, Samuel’s background, challenges, and Genealogy offer an interesting peek into the man behind the Reeves family tree.
Here’s what we’ll cover on the life, family, and legacy of Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr. We’ll also resolve some common questions about his early life, personal struggles, and what finally became of him.
Who Was Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr.?
Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr. was an American businessman, of Hawaiian and Chinese origin. He is best recognized as as the father of Keanu Reeves, one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors.
Unlike his famed son, Samuel lived a mostly private and troubled life. He was largely absent from Keanu’s upbringing, and their relationship was strained.
Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr.’s Early Life and Family
Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr. was born in Hawaii in 1935. His background was a mix of Hawaiian, Chinese, Portuguese and English. His father, Samuel Nowlin Reeves Sr., was English and Portuguese, and his mother was Hawaiian and Chinese.
These diverse backgrounds mixed in Reeves culinary line, and he often refers to his Hawaiian and Chinese roots when talking about his background.
Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr.’s Personal Life and Marriage to Patricia Taylor
In the 1960s, Samuel met Patricia Taylor, a British costume designer. The couple got married and gave birth to their first child — a daughter named Keanu Charles Reeves — on September 2, 1964.
They later welcomed a second child, Kim Reeves, who is Keanu’s younger sister.
Why Did Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr. and Patricia Taylor Split?
Samuel and Patricia’s marriage didn’t last long. Samuel’s legal problems and battles with substance abuse ultimately caused Patricia to leave him. She relocated to Canada, with Keanu and Kim, which effectively excluded Samuel from their lives.
Keanu Reeves had a father but due to the split between his parents, he was never able to grow up with his father but was raised by his mother. He has discussed in interviews his father’s absence, saying he last saw Samuel when he was only 13.
What Is Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr.’s Relationship to Keanu Reeves?
Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr. had a distant, Unstable relationship with Keanu Reeves. Keanu told an interviewer once that he hadn’t seen his father since he was a teenager and did not have contact with him.
Samuel, meanwhile, has said he regrets not being in his son’s life, but never got back together with Keanu in a meaningful way.
Did Keanu Reeves Ever Reconcile with His Father?
Keanu Reeves and his father never got along. Keanu rarely discusses him and prefers to keep the attention on his own life and career.
What Happened to Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr.?
After separating from Patricia Taylor, Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr. had a troubled life. He was arrested multiple times on drug-related charges, which surely added to the distance between him and his family.
He is allegedly lived in Hawaii out of the public attention in his later years.
When Did Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr. Die?
Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr. died in 2018 at the age of 83. His death didn’t receive wide coverage, and Keanu didn’t comment publicly about it.
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FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How old was Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr. at the time of his death?
He was 83 when he died in 2018.
What was Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr.’s nationality?
He was American, of Hawaiian, Chinese, Portuguese and English descent.
Who was Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr.’s grandfather?
His grandparents had a mix of Hawaiian, Chinese, Portuguese and English ancestry. Getting off to a great start with them, but do not want to master the exact names.
Does Keanu Reeves have siblings?
Yes, he had a daughter as well, Kim Reeves, who is Keanu’s younger sister.
Was Keanu Reeves’ father Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr. a part of his life?
No, he was basically absent from Keanu’s life, and didn’t participate in his upbringing.
Where Was Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr. Living?
He lived most of his life in Hawaii, where he was born and raised.
Did Keanu Reeves attend his father’s funeral?
Keanu’s father’s funeral reports have not confirmed whether Keanu was in attendance.
Conclusion
Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr. may have not been a constant presence in Keanu Reeves’ life, but he does live on through of Keanu’s Family background and traditions. His struggles with addiction and legal trouble ultimately resulted in a Difficult relationship with his children.
Keanu Reeves doesn’t speak much about his own father, though it’s evident that he built his own path, becoming one of Hollywood’s most revered leading men. The story of the life of Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr. reminds everyone how personal challenges can determine a family’s future, how one can overcome complex situations.