Question: Keanu Reeves appeared in heavy makeup for this film in the uncredited (yet prominent) supporting role of "Ortiz the Dog Boy," and most viewers were oblivious to Reeves' involvement in the movie for many years after its release. Inasmuch as Reeves had starred twice before in comedies with Alex Winter, I'm only guessing that this film's producers didn't want a "Bill and Ted" association to complicate or misdirect the film's marketing; but why exactly did Reeves go uncredited in "Freaked"?
Freaked (1993)
1 question
Directed by: Alex Winter, Tom Stern
Starring: William Sadler, Brooke Shields, Eduardo Ricard, Henry Carbo
Revealing mistake: In the scene where Rick returns from the lab with the macaroons, it is obvious that the worm man is only in half of his costume. He's wearing black pants and shoes and sitting on a stool.
Ortiz the Dog Boy: Twelve milkmen is theoretically possible. Thirteen is silly. Looks like there's one milkman too many, Coogan.
Trivia: Future "Jackass" star Johnny Knoxville was actually Keanu Reeves' photo-doubled for the poster and promotional pictures, since Reeves wasn't available due to a packed schedule.
Answer: Honestly, I think it was just a bit of fun for Reeves. It's really not uncommon for prominent actors to do uncredited roles and cameos in films. I've seen it happen before many times. And given that the director/co-writer/co-producer is his "Bill and Ted" co-star Alex Winter, I have serious doubts they were worried about any "Bill and Ted" association. (If anything that would have helped them at the box office.) It was probably a case of Reeves doing it as a favor for a friend, and they decided to have fun with it and keep him uncredited to see if anyone would figure it out.
TedStixon