By Sophia Charlotte 
Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr. was an American farmer and geologist – yet he’s best known as the father of movie mega-star Keanu Reeves. Keanu is best known for his roles in The Matrix and John Wick, but his father’s life was much more private and troubled.
Samuel’s was a life of high-level education and personal struggles. He spent his final years living quietly in Hawaii, but his relationship with one of the world’s biggest stars kept him occasionally in the public eye.
About Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr.
Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr. was born on Sept. 13, 1942, in Honolulu to a Hawaiian father and an English mother. He was a multitalented man and had formerly been a geologist by training, and also a farmer.
But he is most often associated with his troubled family life. He left his wife and children when Keanu was only three years old, which led to a long-term separation that lasted until his death.
Age
Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr. was born on Sept. 13, 1942. He died on Jan. 26, 2018. He was 75 years old at his death. He died at his home in Ewa Beach, Hawaii.
Profile Summary
| 🔖 Detail | 📌 Information |
| 👤 Full Name | Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr. |
| 🎂 Date of Birth | September 13, 1942 |
| ⚰️ Date of Death | January 26, 2018 |
| ⏳ Age at Death | 75 Years Old |
| ♎ Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| 📍 Place of Birth | Honolulu, Hawaii, USA |
| 🇺🇸 Nationality | American |
| 🌍 Ethnicity | Mixed (Hawaiian, Chinese, Portuguese, English) |
| 📏 Height | 5′ 10″ (Reported) |
| 👨👩👧👦 Children | Keanu, Kim, and Emma Rose |
| 🎓 Education | American University (Lebanon) |
| 💼 Profession | Geologist, Farmer |
Early Life, Background, and Education
Samuel was raised in the scenic islands of Hawaii. He had a mixed heritage that included Hawaiian and Chinese. A bright student, he went to Lebanon in the early 1960s to study at the American University of Beirut.
He attended college, where he majored in Geology and met Patricia Taylor, who would become his first wife and mother to Keanu Reeves. Despite challenging times later in his life, he never let go of the importance of education, and allegedly got his GED.
Family Background
Samuel Reeves was born to Samuel Nowlin Reeves Sr. and Sarah Momilani Victor. His family had long been in Hawaii. He was one of three brothers, including Victor and Gill. He was married to Patricia Taylor in 1964. They had two children together: Keanu and Kim Reeves.
Sadly, the marriage didn’t stand the test of time, and they divorced in 1966. Samuel remarried to a woman named Morita, and the couple had a daughter, Emma Rose. He reportedly married a third time in his later years, but was largely estranged from his better-known son, Keanu.
Before Fame
Samuel was a very scholarly and adventurous man before he became popular as a “celebrity father.” He met Patricia in Beirut, and she changed his life.
They led a bohemian lifestyle in the mid-’60s before relocating to Australia and eventually divorcing. He was regarded as a soothsayer on earth sciences and geology before his life took a turn for the worse with legal troubles in the 1990s.
Career
Samuel’s career was diverse. He graduated there as a trained geologist and used his degree for many years to look at rocks and formations on land. He later went into farming in Hawaii. But his career took a dark turn in the 1990s.
He was arrested at Hilo International Airport in 1992 on drug trafficking charges and served prison time. Following his release, he for the most part lived a simple, reclusive lifestyle away from the press and career he was formerly part of.
Relationship with Keanu Reeves
The relationship between Samuel and Keanu was so tragic. Keanu was 15 years old when he last saw his father. Keanu has called his father’s life “tragic” in multiple interviews. Samuel is said to have made multiple attempts to make amends with Keanu in his final years, when he was suffering from declining health.
But Keanu kept his distance, at the cost of looking and feeling cold from the abandonment he suffered in childhood. Even so, Samuel had made no secret of his pride in his son’s huge successes in Hollywood.
Net Worth
When Samuel passed away in 2018, it is believed he was worth anywhere between $100,000 to $500,000. Though his son Keanu may be worth millions, Samuel led a humble life in Hawaii, where he made ends meet as a farmer and small business owner.
Key Takeaways
- Famous Son: He is the biological father of actor Keanu Reeves.
- Education: He was an American University of Beirut-trained geologist.
- Health Issues: He passed away due to complications of diabetes and Grave’s disease in 2018.
- Separation: He hadn’t spoken to Keanu Reeves for more than 40 years.
- Heritage: He came from a diverse Hawaiian-Chinese-European ethnic background.
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