Michael Keaton would like to use his birth name, Michael Douglas, but two things stand in the way

Michael Keaton, the versatile actor known for his roles in films like Beetlejuice and Birdman, has an interesting backstory regarding his stage name. Despite being born Michael Douglas, the actor has always been known professionally as Michael Keaton. The reason behind this choice is a tale of practicality and necessity rather than personal preference.

In a recent interview with People, the 72-year-old actor candidly admitted that he doesn’t quite remember how he settled on “Keaton.” He recounted a vague memory of browsing through a phone book or similar source, thinking, “I don’t know, let me think of something here.” The name “Keaton” simply seemed reasonable at the time.

The choice of a stage name was not merely a matter of whim, but a necessity due to the existing claim on the name Michael Douglas. The name was already held by an Oscar-winning actor and son of the legendary Kirk Douglas. Additionally, the name “Mike Douglas” was also in use by a well-known talk-show host. Given that the Screen Actors Guild mandates that no two actors can share the same professional name, Keaton was left with no choice but to adopt a different one.

Though Michael Keaton has carved out a distinguished career under his chosen name, he has expressed a desire to use his full birth name, Michael Keaton Douglas. This wish nearly came to fruition with his recent directorial project, Knox Goes Away. Keaton intended to credit himself as “Michael Keaton Douglas” for this film. However, amidst the busy process of filmmaking, he inadvertently overlooked updating the credits. “I said, ‘Hey, just as a warning, my credit is going to be Michael Keaton Douglas,’” Keaton explained. “And it totally got away from me.” As a result, the credit did not get changed in time for the film’s release, but Keaton hopes to make this adjustment in the future.

In his latest high-profile project, the sequel to Beetlejuice, Keaton continues to be credited as “Michael Keaton.” Despite his professional success and the familiarity of his stage name, he remains nostalgic about the idea of using his full birth name.

Keaton’s story is a testament to the quirks and practicalities of showbiz, illustrating how even well-established stars like him can encounter unexpected hurdles in the pursuit of their true identities.