Keanu Reeves’ Unconventional Interview with Rosie O’Donnell
Rosie O’Donnell, the former host of The Rosie O’Donnell Show, has shared a surprising story about one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, Keanu Reeves. The 63-year-old comedian recently appeared on Sam Pang Tonight and revealed that Reeves was one of her most challenging guests during a live interview in 1997.
O’Donnell, known for her sharp wit and engaging style, had Reeves on her show to promote The Devil’s Advocate, which he starred in alongside Al Pacino. However, she admitted that the actor struggled with the format of a talk show. She described the experience as frustrating, noting that Reeves would often respond with short, unhelpful answers.
“I love the guy. He’s so sweet, he looks gorgeous, I love all his movies, but he would not answer a question,” O’Donnell said in the recent interview. “I’d say, ‘So, Keanu, how’s it going? How are you feeling?’ [He’d respond] ‘Good.’ We were live. We couldn’t re-tape.”
A Challenging Live Interview
The interview took place nearly 30 years ago, and O’Donnell recalled how she had to push Reeves to engage more with the audience. After three minutes of one-word answers, she finally said, “You know, Keanu, it is a talk show. You have to talk.”
Despite the initial difficulty, O’Donnell praised Reeves for being a “lovely man and a good-hearted guy.” She also mentioned that he returned to her show in 2001, where he seemed more at ease. “So he got the hang of it,” she added.
The original interview, which can be found on YouTube, shows O’Donnell encouraging Reeves to open up. At one point, she asked him, “You don’t do a lot of these shows do you? Do you hate them?” To which he replied, “I’m not comfortable with them, but they’re fun. It’s alright.”
O’Donnell even playfully offered him a snack or toy during the late 90s interview, showing her attempt to make the atmosphere more relaxed.
Viewer Reactions and Legacy
Many viewers who watched the clip on YouTube praised O’Donnell for helping Reeves feel more comfortable. One comment read, “Rosie really made him feel very much at ease in this interview….” Another viewer wrote, “Rosie was such a good TV talk show interviewer! I love how she made celebrity introverts like Keanu and Winona feel at ease during her interviews.”
O’Donnell’s show, The Rosie O’Donnell Show, aired for six seasons from 1996 to 2002, producing a total of 1,193 episodes. The program became a staple of daytime television and helped launch the careers of many comedians and celebrities.
Other Notable Moments in O’Donnell’s Career
O’Donnell has had a long and varied career in entertainment, with several high-profile moments. For instance, she once famously interviewed Britney Spears in 2000, asking tough questions that became an iconic moment in television history.
She also had a complicated relationship with Ellen DeGeneres after a controversial appearance on Larry King Live in 2004. Additionally, O’Donnell reignited a feud with Jay Leno over a Netflix docuseries on The Biggest Loser.
In another unexpected turn, she formed a bond with Lyle Menendez, the killer featured in the Menendez Brothers case, which led to public debate about her decision to befriend him.
O’Donnell also had a well-known conflict with Elisabeth Hasselbeck, a former co-host on The View, when Hasselbeck refused to defend a controversial statement about the Iraq War.
These moments highlight O’Donnell’s reputation as a bold and outspoken figure in the world of television and media.
