The ‘I Do’ That Stuck: Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves’ Accidental Lifelong Commitment

In a heartwarming tale of enduring friendship, Winona Ryder has shared that she and Keanu Reeves continue to playfully refer to each other as “husband and wife,” decades after their on-screen wedding in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 film Dracula.

Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Ryder, 52, revealed the charming way they maintain their bond. “We do text, and we always say who it is, even though it says it on the text,” she explained.

Their birthday exchanges are particularly endearing, with Ryder sharing, “On his birthday, when I’m like, ‘Happy Birthday, my husband!’ and I put ‘Noni,’ he’s like, ‘Hey, wife! Love you, KR 57.'” She added, “On each birthday, he’s like, ‘KR 57’ or whatever his age is. He’s always done that.”

This playful tradition stems from a unique circumstance during the filming of Dracula. Ryder had previously revealed that their characters’ wedding scene was officiated by a real Romanian priest, leading her to believe they might be legally married.

Keanu Reeves, now 60, has embraced this idea. In a video interview with Esquire, he stated, “We did a whole take of a marriage ceremony with real priests. Winona says we are. Coppola says we are. So I guess we’re married under the eyes of God.”

The duo’s bond goes beyond their on-screen marriage. In a joint interview, Ryder admitted to having had “a pretty big healthy crush on him” during filming, to which Reeves responded, “I had a big healthy crush on you too.”

It’s important to note that both actors are in committed relationships – Ryder with Scott Mackinlay Hahn and Reeves with Alexandra Grant. However, their longstanding friendship and the unique circumstances of their ‘marriage’ have created a special connection that has endured for more than 30 years now, which is longer than most marriages in the spotlight.

Check out the full episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast below!