“Crossed A Line”: Rosie O’Donnell Says Keanu Reeves Was Her Worst Guest, Sparks Outrage

“Crossed A Line”: Rosie O’Donnell Says Keanu Reeves Was Her Worst Guest, Sparks Outrage

Of all the many stars Rosie O’Donnell has interviewed, her pick for the worst guest on her show has utterly surprised fans.

The comedian, 63, said it was none other than Keanu Reeveswho is widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s nicest guys.

“It’s not too late to delete this, Rosie,” one commented online after her answer.

Highlights

  • Rosie O’Donnell appeared on Australian talk show Sam Pang Tonight on Monday, October 13.
  • She spoke about her experiences from ‘The Rosie O’Donnell Show’ that ran from 1996 to 2002.
  • She name-dropped Keanu Reeves as the “worst” guest she interviewed back in the day.

Of all the many stars Rosie O’Donnell has interviewed, her pick for the worst guest on her show surprised fans

Rosie O’Donnell standing outdoors near Sydney Opera House, wearing glasses and a dark jacket, with a confident expression.

Image credits: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Rosie O’Donnell appeared on Australian talk show Sam Pang Tonight on Monday, October 13.

During the interview, she reminisced about her past experiences hosting more than 1,000 episodes of The Rosie O’Donnell Show between 1996 and 2002.

Stars like Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts and Britney Spears sat opposite her for interviews back in the day.

Keanu Reeves smiling during a Variety interview, discussing media reactions and guest experiences.

Image credits: Craig Barritt/Variety

The Emmy winner said singer Barbra Streisand was “probably” her “favorite” celebrity guest on the show. She then name-dropped Keanu Reeves as one of her “worst.”

“One of the worst, who, I love the guy, but he’s not good on talk shows: Keanu Reeves,” she said, recalling his 1997 interview on her show.

The former talk show host said Keanu Reeves was the “worst” celebrity guest she had on her show

Rosie O’Donnell speaking in a studio setting, wearing glasses and a black jacket during a late night talk show.

Image credits: Sam Pang Tonight

The longtime TV personality said the Speed star is “so sweet” but was tight-lipped whenever she asked questions.

“He’s so sweet, he looks gorgeous, I love all his movies, but he would not answer a question,” Rosie recalled. “I’d say, ‘So, Keanu, how’s it going? How are you feeling?’ [He’d respond] ‘Good.’”

Rosie O’Donnell interviewing Keanu Reeves on a talk show set, capturing a tense and serious moment between them.

Image credits: Rosie O’Donnell Show

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Rosie eventually had to remind the soft-spoken actor what kind of show he was on.

“We were live. We couldn’t retape. I finally said after three minutes, ‘You know, Keanu, it is a talk show. You have to talk,’” she said.

“I love all his movies, but he would not answer a question,” Rosie said about theMatrixstar

Rosie O’Donnell discussing Keanu Reeves as her worst guest during a TV interview, sparking outrage.

Image credits: Sam Pang Tonight

Comment by Karen Macdonald discussing Rosie O’Donnell and Keanu Reeves as a guest, sparking outrage online.

The former talk show host reiterated that Keanu was a “lovely man and a good-hearted guy.” And he managed to redeem himself when he returned in 2001.

“He got the hang of it,” she said.

Rosie went on to say that the “best guest” she had on her show was Martin Short.

“Because you come out and say, ‘How you doing, Marty?’ and it’s over for you,” she said. “He stands up and he goes, ‘I’m here!’ He was the funniest and the nicest guy, so I would say Marty Short was definitely one of the best.”

Rosie O’Donnell laughing with a male guest on a 90s talk show set, discussing celebrity interviews and reactions.

Image credits: Rosie O’Donnell Show

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Fans were surprised by her comments about Keanu, with one saying, “It’s not him, it’s you.”

“Why did she even invite him? It’s no secret he’s not talkative. He’s a quiet gentle person,” another said.

“Now she crossed a line!” one said, while another wrote, “Rosie is now coming for Keanu.”

Others pointed out that he’s known to be a private person, saying, “He’s an introvert.”

“Really, one of the nicest and most humble people was your worst guest?” one asked online

Rosie O’Donnell taking a selfie indoors, wearing glasses and a hoodie, related to Keanu Reeves guest controversy.

Image credits: rosie

Facebook comment by Brenda Aslett Boggio reacting to Rosie O’Donnell’s statement about Keanu Reeves being her worst guest

Keanu has enjoyed decades of stardom whilst still keeping a fairly low-profile.

“I came to Hollywood to be in movies. I feel really grateful that I’ve had that opportunity, but I’m just a private personand it’s nice that can still exist,” he told Parade in 2019.

The John Wick star, who was born in Lebanon and raised in Canada, said he nearly went by a completely different stage name when he was in his 20s.

During his recent appearance on the New Heights podcast with Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce, Keanu recalled moving to Los Angeles as a 20-year-old.

“At 20 years old, I drove in my car to Los Angeles,” he said on the podcast. “Got out of my car and my manager said, ‘We want to change your name.’ So that’s like, a welcome to Hollywood [moment].

Keanu spoke about nearly changing his name in his 20s during aNew Heights podcast episode this week

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Keanu Reeves wearing a dark blazer and black shirt during a television interview in a studio setting.

Image credits: Rosie O’Donnell Show

Screenshot of a social media comment about Keanu Reeves described as shy and quiet, related to Rosie O’Donnell controversy.

The Matrix star nearly changed his name to Chuck Spadina and then briefly considered going by KC Reeves.

“My middle name is Charles, so I was like, ‘…Chuck?’ And I grew up on a street called Spadina, [therefore] Chuck Spadina,” he said.

“…So then I became KC Reeves. I was credited as KC Reeves…” he continued.

In his early days of professionally actingKeanu was credited as “KC Reeves” in a 1986 installment of The Magical World of Disney TV anthology series.