Jonathan Groff has revealed Keanu Reeves’ “priceless” reaction to being straddled during a performance at the 2025 Tony Awards. The 40-year-old actor was performing a number from his musical Just In Time when he approached Reeves in the front row and stood on the arms of his chair, touching the Hollywood star’s face and chest before stepping down.
Reeves, who appeared momentarily surprised, soon embraced the bit. Groff told GQ that the Matrix Resurrections co-star later sought him out backstage. “An hour later, I was getting ready… and the stage manager said, ‘Is Jonathan Groff in here? Keanu Reeves is looking for Jonathan Groff,’” Groff recalled. “He came backstage to give me a hug and say, ‘Thank you for doing that,’ and how much fun it was to be a part of the number.”
At this year’s ceremony, Groff was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical, but lost to his Glee co-star Darren Criss. Groff also reunited with the original Hamilton cast for a special performance celebrating the musical’s tenth anniversary on Broadway.
Meanwhile, Reeves will make his Broadway debut this September in a revival of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, playing Estragon alongside longtime collaborator Alex Winter as Vladimir. Previews begin September 13 at the Hudson Theater, with the official opening on September 28, running through January 4, 2026.
