Reeves was born with the name of George Keefer Brewer in Woolstock, Iowa, U.S., son of Don Brewer and Helen Lescher. He moved to California at a young age with his mother Helen. Reeves, started to acting in high school and then continuing to serve on student scenarios. In 1943, 17 months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Reeves momentarily abandoned his career in Hollywood and was enrolled in aviation until the end of World War II. After a successful career, Reeves died on June 16, 1959.