Keanu Reeves fought back tears to get through his acceptance speech at the Saturn Awards when he was given the Lance Reddick Legacy Award.

Keanu Reeves in John Wick: Chapter 4

Keanu Reeves paid tribute to his late friend while accepting the inaugural Lance Reddick Legacy Award at the Saturn Awards.

On Sunday evening, Keanu Reeves was bestowed with the Lance Reddick Legacy Award. While at the podium to accept the honor, Reeves remembered his John Wick co-star and close friend with some kind words. It was clearly difficult for Reeves, who’s still feeling the pain of losing Reddick. Per Electric Entertainment on X, the acceptance speech can be viewed below.

“My gratitude and appreciation to the Saturn Awards for recognizing and honoring the warm, beautiful spirit, and exception artist, that is Lance Reddick,” Reeves said. Fighting back tears, the actor continued, “And for honoring me with the inaugural Lance Reddick Legacy Award.”

Reeves added, “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.

Kind, generous, creative, insightful, authentic. He had a special grace. Strength, along with a vulnerability that drew us in, supported us, inspired us. He had a fire. Creative fire. A light from within him that could not be denied.”

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Lance Reddick at his desk as Charon in John Wick: Chapter 4 Lance Reddick's Charon staring at John Wick lance reddick as the receptionist in John Wick

One of Lance Reddick’s final performances was alongside Keanu Reeves in the 2023 sequel John Wick: Chapter 4. Sadly, Reddick died shortly before the release of the film at the age of 60. At the time, Reeves and John Wick: Chapter 4 helmer Chad Stahelski shared a joint statement to address the news. They dedicated the sequel to Reddick while offering their condolences.

“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken at the loss of our beloved friend and colleague Lance Reddick,” the statement read. “He was the consummate professional and a joy to work with. Our love and prayers are with his wife Stephanie, his children, family and friends. We dedicate the film to his loving memory. We will miss him dearly.”

The Percy Jackson Team Also Paid Tribute to Lance Reddick

Another one of Reddick’s last performances was just recently unveiled with the release of the Disney+ series Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

The cast and crew of that show had a similar experience working with Reddick as the John Wick family, as the actor’s passing also left the Percy Jackson team in mourning. The producers have touted his performance as the god Zeus in the series as “perfect.”