The 73-year-old actor has subsequently disclosed, though, that Michael Keaton isn’t actually his name.
In the 1970s, the actor began his professional journey in the cinema and television industries. But it didn’t take him long to realize he wouldn’t be able to use his true name.
Why? Since it is against the Screen Actors Guild’s bylaws for members to use the name of another member.
As stated in its regulations: “It is the goal of SAG-AFTRA that no member use a professional name that is identical to, or that resembles another member’s name so closely as to tend to be confused with, the name of any other member.” SAG-AFTRA advises all candidates and members to avoid using names that could be confusing in order to reduce any personal or individual risk of responsibility.
“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.”
Additionally, a performer with the same name as him entered the room before him.
Although Michael Douglas, a 79-year-old actor and film producer, preceded Keaton in the industry with his 1987 hit film Fatal Attraction and 1992 hit film Basic Instinct, Keaton’s real name is Michael Douglas.
Oh, and Michael wouldn’t have succeeded in going by Mike either because talk show host and singer Mike Douglas arrived earlier.
And how did he come to choose Keaton? “I was looking through—I can’t remember if it was a phone book,” the actor said to PEOPLE.I think I said, “Let me think of something here; I dunno.” And I thought, “Well, that makes sense.”
However, he has now made the decision to revert to using his full name—sort of.
The actor clarified that, while he appeared and directed in the 2023 film Knox Goes Away, he intended for his credit to be changed to “Michael Keaton Douglas.” Nevertheless, he “forgot to give them enough time to put it in and create that,” and “it totally got away from” him.
However, Michael Keaton Douglas is adamant that he wants to be known as Michael Keaton Douglas rather than just Michael Keaton, and he stated that this will happen for future projects.
