Keanu Reeves remembers ‘beautiful spirit’ of late John Wick co-star Lance Reddick as he receives poignant legacy honor at 2024 Saturn Awards
Keanu Reeves added another impressive award to his collection, taking home the first annual Lance Reddick Legacy Award at the 2024 Saturn Awards.
The 59-year-old actor was announced in January to receive the award, which, ‘symbolizes and celebrates not only a performer’s talent, but their character.’
The actor was close friends with Reddick, starring in the John Wick movies together before Reddick passed away at 60 in March.
Academy president Robert Holguin and Saturn producers Bradley and Kevin Marcus said in a January statement, ‘This award symbolizes and celebrates not only a performer’s talent, but their character; someone who’s a true goodwill ambassador in the industry.’
‘From science fiction (‘The Matrix Trilogy’), fantasy (‘Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure’/’Constantine’) and horror (Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Dracula’/’The Devil’s Advocate’) Keanu has done it all — not to mention ‘Speed’ and ‘Point Break,’ they added.
‘Keanu is not just a Hollywood icon but also a shining example of humility and gratitude,’ the statemnent continued.
‘Throughout his incredible career, he has never forgotten the support of his fans and the filmmakers who’ve supported him all these years,’ they said.
The statement concluded, ‘We’re thrilled to celebrate Lance’s memory with a dear friend and a genre icon.’
Reeves began his speech by sending out his ‘gratitude and appreciation to the Saturn Awards for recognizing and honoring the warm, beautiful spirit of an exceptional artist that is Lance Reddick.’
He added, ‘And for honoring me with the inaugural Lance Reddick Legacy Award. For over 25 years, Lance made an imprint and raised the bar in every work of art and genre he was in.’
‘Not only with his performance, but with the man he was. He was kind, generous, creative, insightful, authentic,’ Reeves continued.
‘He had a special grace, strength, along with a vulnerability that drew us in, supported us, inspired us,’ Reeves added.
The actor continued that Reddick, ‘had a fire, a creative fire, a light from within him that could not be denied.
James Cameron was also at the Saturn Awards, where he took home Best Film and Best Screenplay for Avatar: The Way of Water.
Nicolas Cage and wife Riko Shibata were also in attendance, with Cage winning Best Supporting Actor for Renfield, as were Heather Graham and Jodie Foster, who took home the Life Career Award.
On the TV side, Star Trek: Picard picked up for awards, while another Star Trek show, Strange New Worlds, picked up one.
Picard won Best Science Fiction Television Series, with Patrick Stewart winning Best Actor in a Television Series, Jonathan Frakes winning Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series and Jeri Ryan winning Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series, while Strange New Worlds took home Best Guest Star in a Television Series for Paul Wesley.
