Did you know that Michael Keaton is not the real name of the Beetlejuice actor? Most of us may have missed it, I guess! But now after 50 years, the actor wants to ditch his stage name and would love to be credited with his real name. Keaton, who has reprised his role as the troublesome ghost and bio-exorcist for his forthcoming movie Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, directed by Tim Burton in an interview shared that he wants people to call him by his real name.
What is Michael Keaton’s Real Name?
After decades in the spotlight under his stage name, Michael Keaton is now looking to reclaim a part of his original identity. Known for his iconic roles in films such as Batman and The Paper, Keaton’s professional journey began with a significant name change.
Born Michael Douglas, the actor was forced to adopt a new name due to Screen Actors Guild (SAG) regulations, which prevented him from using the same name as another actor, Michael Douglas, and television personality, Mike Douglas.
Reflecting on the decision, Keaton told PEOPLE how the choice came about almost by accident. “I was looking through — I can’t remember if it was a phone book,” he explained. “I must’ve gone, ‘I don’t know, let me think of something here.’ And I went, ‘Oh, that sounds reasonable.’” This moment led him to select “Keaton” as his stage surname, marking the beginning of a career that would eventually make the name a household one.
However, after 50 years, Keaton is ready to blend the names that have defined both his personal and professional life. Moving forward, he has expressed interest in using a hybrid of both names: Michael Keaton Douglas. Although this change wasn’t implemented in time for his recent directorial project, Knox Goes Away, Keaton remains determined to make it happen in future credits.
“I said, ‘Hey, just as a warning, my credit is going to be Michael Keaton Douglas.’ And it totally got away from me,” Keaton said. “And I forgot to give them enough time to put it in and create that. But that will happen.”
His willingness to return to his birth name represents a significant shift for the actor, yet for his upcoming role in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice—the sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 cult classic—Keaton remains credited under his stage name, Michael Keaton.
Hollywood’s History of Name Changes Due to SAG Rules
Keaton is not the first actor to face the complexities of SAG’s rules regarding name registration. Many well-known stars have also had to modify their names to avoid conflicts with other registered actors.
Emma Stone, for example, faced a similar situation. Born Emily Jean Stone, she had to change her name early in her career as “Emily Stone” was already taken by another SAG member. In recent interviews, Stone has expressed a desire to return to her birth name, noting, “That would be so nice. I would like to be Emily.”
In fact, Stone revealed that many of her colleagues already call her by her original name. “When I get to know them, people that I work with do,” she shared. However, the official switch has yet to happen in a formal capacity. Stone recalled how she felt a strong desire to return to her given name, stating, “I freaked out a couple of years ago. For some reason, I was like, ‘I can’t do it anymore. Just call me Emily.’”
The Screen Actors Guild’s rules regarding name duplication are reminiscent of registering a business, as noted by Stone: “(Emily Stone) was taken at Screen Actors Guild. It’s sort of like when you register a business, and you can’t have the same name as someone else.”
Diane Keaton, another iconic name in Hollywood, also underwent a name change due to SAG requirements. Born Diane Hall, the actor adopted her mother’s maiden name, Keaton, after learning that her birth name was already registered with SAG. This name has since become synonymous with her illustrious career.
Similarly, Michael J. Fox, best known for his roles in Family Ties and Back to the Future, added the middle initial “J” to his professional name due to another Michael Fox being registered with SAG. The “J” was chosen as a tribute to one of Fox’s favorite character actors, Michael J. Pollard.
The intricacies of name selection in Hollywood highlight the often unseen challenges actors face in creating a distinct professional identity. For Michael Keaton and others, these choices, sometimes made out of necessity, have shaped the personas they’ve shared with the world.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, starring Michael Keaton, Michael Keaton Douglas is set to hit theaters on September 6.
