Why did Michael Keaton change his real last name? Beetlejuice actor wants to use hybrid of his birth name and current moniker

Actor Michael Keaton spoke exclusively to People Magazine on September 4, 2024, following the release of his latest film, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. During the interview, the actor revealed how and why he changed his last name from Douglas to his current stage name, Keaton. The actor's real name is Michael Douglas but he has been going by Michael Keaton since the start of his career.

He revealed that his decision came at the beginning of his career in the 1970s when he learned that the Screen Actors Guild didn't allow members to use other members' names. The Batman star noted that at the time, the union already had a member named Michael Douglas, who was a popular actor and film producer. He added that he then thought of using Mike Douglas, only to learn that the name also existed in the union.

Keaton then recalled looking through a phone book or something similar when he thought that the name "Keaton" sounded reasonable.

“I was looking through — I can’t remember if it was a phone book. I must’ve gone, ‘I don’t know, let me think of something here.’ And I went, ‘Oh, that sounds reasonable'," the actor said.

Born Michael John Douglas, the actor started his movie career in 1978 with the movie Rabbit Test. Since then, he has starred in many hit films, like Beetlejuice, She’s Having a Baby, Batman, The Paper, Jackie Brown, Jack Frost, A Shot at Glory, Cars, Spotlight, and The Flash, among others.

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Beetlejuice's Michael Keaton wants to use a hybrid of his birth and stage names on future projects

Actor Michael Keaton is known for his roles in multiple movies since the 1970s and he has used his stage name for all his films. However, he recently told People Magazine that he wanted to go back to his birth name and potentially use a hybrid of his birth and stage names as his official acting credit.

The actor expressed his wish to use the name "Michael Keaton Douglas," and added that he thought about using it for his directorial debut, Knox Goes Away. However, he said that he forgot about it at the last moment.

He said that he told the cast and crew of the film that he wanted his credit to be "Michael Keaton Douglas," but added that it "totally got away" from him. The Beetlejuice Beetlejuice star noted that he forgot to give the team "enough time to put it in and create that." However, he claimed that it "will happen."

During the interview, Michael Keaton also spoke about his recent film, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which was released in theatres on September 4, 2024. It is a sequel to 1988's Beetlejuice, which starred Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Justin Theroux, and Monica Belluci in major roles.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice also stars actress Jenna Ortega, apart from returning actors like Keaton, O'Hara, Ryder, Theroux, and Belluci. Tim Burton has directed the 2024 film.

Keaton is also enjoying the success of Knox Go Away, which was released in theatres in the US on March 15, 2024. Michael Keaton directed the film, which stars James Marsden, Suzy Nakamura, Joanna Kulig, John Hoogenakker, Lela Loren, Marcia Gay Harden, and Al Pacino.

The 72-year-old star is prepping for the release of his comedy film Goodrich, set to hit theatres in October 2024. The film also stars Mila Kunis, Laura Benanti, and Poorna Jagannathan.