Winona Ryder recently shared some adorable details about her long-standing friendship with fellow actor Keanu Reeves. The two have shared the screen on several occasions, dating back to their first collaboration in 1992’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and their connection has only strengthened over the years.
During a recent interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Winona opened up about her close relationship with Keanu, revealing that the two still keep in touch regularly. Despite their busy schedules and different projects, they’ve maintained a bond that transcends the films they’ve worked on together. And as it turns out, they even have cute nicknames for one another that reflect their onscreen history.
“We do text,” Winona revealed, adding a sweet detail about their communication habits. “And we always say who it is, even though it says it on the text.” She explained that despite modern smartphones clearly showing the name of the person messaging, they always introduce themselves when texting. It’s a little quirk that highlights the playful dynamic between them.
But the most heartwarming revelation came when Winona shared the special nicknames they’ve given each other. After portraying a married couple in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the two started calling each other husband and wife, a nod to their onscreen union. And it’s a tradition that’s stuck with them over the years.
“I was like, ‘Happy birthday, my husband!’” Winona recalled of a recent text exchange with Keanu for his birthday. His response? “‘Hey, wife! Love you! KR, 57’ or whatever his age is.” According to Winona, Keanu has been signing his birthday messages that way for years, always using his initials and his age. “He’s always done that. He’s the best,” she added with a smile.
The genuine affection between the two is clear, and fans of both actors can’t help but be charmed by their ongoing friendship. It’s rare to see Hollywood stars maintain such a close bond over the decades, and the lighthearted nicknames only add to the appeal of their relationship.
Winona’s affection for Keanu was evident when she spoke about him during the podcast. When asked about the possibility of working with him on a John Wick movie, she admitted that while she was nervous about handling the intense stunts required for the franchise, she had nothing but praise for her longtime co-star. She described Keanu as “special,” which is likely why their friendship has endured for so long.
Winona is headed back to the big screen with her latest project, Beetlejuice 2, in which she reprises her role as Lydia Deetz. Fans of the original 1988 film have been eagerly awaiting the sequel, and Winona’s return to the beloved character has generated significant excitement.
