Michael Keaton to Reclaim His Birth Name After Five Decades
Michael KeatonFamed actor Michael Keaton, renowned for his iconic roles in films such as "Batman" and "Beetlejuice," is planning a return to his roots by reclaiming his birth name, Michael John Douglas, after nearly 50 years of using his stage name. Keaton's decision comes after decades of navigating Hollywood's Screen Actors Guild rules, which prevent multiple members from sharing the same name, a circumstance that originally led him to adopt "Keaton" as his professional moniker to differentiate himself from fellow actor Michael Douglas.
In a candid interview with People magazine, Keaton, who is now 73, recalled the moment he first selected his stage name. "I was looking through—I can’t remember if it was a phone book," he said. "I must’ve gone, ‘I don’t know, let me think of something here.’ And I went, ‘Oh, that sounds reasonable.’” Now, he is seeking to integrate his original surname into his professional credits, opting for "Michael Keaton Douglas."
However, the transition has had its hiccups. Keaton intended to debut his hybrid name in the credits of his recent film "Knox Goes Away," but the plan slipped his mind, leaving him credited simply as Michael Keaton. "I said, ‘Hey, just as a warning, my credit is going to be Michael Keaton Douglas.’ And it totally got away from me," he admitted. "But that will happen."
His upcoming projects, including "Goodrich," which is in post-production, may soon feature his revised credit, though it remains to be seen if the change will be implemented in time.
Keaton's journey in entertainment began in his youth, as he discovered an innate talent for making people laugh. Reflecting on his career, Keaton offered insight into his enduring success in a competitive industry. "I never panic," he told GQ. "If you get desperate, you're f---ed. Don't ever get desperate."
With decades of critical acclaim and a storied career behind him, Michael Keaton, or soon to be Michael Keaton Douglas, continues to embrace both his past and future in Hollywood.
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