“Sad” Keanu Reeves Inspired, Writes ‘Ode To Happiness’ Book

Canadian actor Keanu Reeves has developed quite the reputation for being glum and lonely, but one could hardly blame him considering his troubled past.

Reeves, who was abandoned by his father at the age of 3, has suffered a series of personal tragedies over the course of his life including the deaths of his long-term girlfriend and baby daughter.

In 2010, a picture taken of Reeves sitting alone on a bench eating a sandwich fuelled his lonely “sad Keanu” image and subsequently sparked a “Cheer up Keanu” campaign on Facebook.

Apparently the Beirut-born Matrix star himself found the infectious Internet meme funny and “inspiring,” as it caused him to pen a book that mocked his “Keanu is Sad” demeanor.

“Ode to Happiness” is a collection of inkblot paintings by Los Angeles-based artist Alexandra Grant – purposely made to look like they’ve been smeared via tears – accompanied by depressing statements from Reeves, like “I draw a hot sorrow bath”, “In my despair room”, “I hate myself face cream”, and “alone again silk pajamas”

Initially written and intended as a joke, the book quickly became high in demand, forcing the “Bill & Ted’s” actor to find a publisher to create a limited run of 4,000 copies. According to the Daily News, they’ve only been offered for sale in the U.K. so far.

Up next for Reeves? Another book: “Haikus of Hope.”

“Basically like, ‘I want to kill myself’, and go from there,” Reeves explains.

Check out the BBC interview below where Reeves addressing his Sad Keanu image:

Via Daily News