Beetlejuice star Michael Keaton has revealed his real name and why he ended up using a show name instead.
When you hear the name Michael Keaton, you probably think of the legendary Hollywood actor in movies such as 1989’s Batman or 1992’s Batman returns, or the 1988 classic Beetlejuice – the sequel of which is set to be released tomorrow.
However, the 73-year-old actor has since revealed that Michael Keaton isn’t really his name.
The actor first set out on his career into the film and TV industry in the 1970s. However, he quickly realized he wouldn’t be able to use his real name.
Why? Well, because the Screen Actor’s Guild prohibits members from using another member’s name.
Indeed, it’s rules state: “It is SAG-AFTRA’s objective that no member uses a professional name which is the same as, or resembles so closely as to tend to be confused with, the name of any other member. SAG-AFTRA urges all applicants and members to minimize any personal or individual risk of liability by avoiding a name that may cause confusion.
Michael Keaton isn’t the name the actor was given when he was born (Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)
“SAG-AFTRA shall not be responsible or legally liable in the event an applicant or member uses a professional name that may cause any confusion.”
And there was an actor who snuck in before him who shared his name.
Keaton’s real name is Michael Douglas, however, 79-year-old actor and film producer and fellow Michael Douglas got there first – think 1987’s Fatal Attraction and 1992’s Basic Instinct.
Oh, and if Michael was thinking of going by Mike, that wouldn’t have worked either, as singer and talk show host Mike Douglas also got there first.
And as to how he settled on Keaton? The actor told PEOPLE: “I was looking through – I can’t remember if it was a phone book.
The actor is back as Beetlejuice (Warner Bros. Pictures)
“I must’ve gone, ‘I don’t know, let me think of something here.’ And I went, ‘Oh, that sounds reasonable’.”
But he’s since decided to go back to his real full name – sort of.
The actor explained he meant to have his credit changed to ‘Michael Keaton Douglas’ for the 2023 release Knox Goes Away – in which he starred and directed – however, he ‘forgot to give them enough time to put it in and create that’ and ‘it totally got away from’ him.
Nevertheless, Keaton Douglas is determined and said being known as ‘Michael Keaton Douglas’ opposed to just ‘Michael Keaton’ ‘will happen’ for future projects.
