Michael Keaton Returns to Real Name After 50 Years of Fame

Michael Keaton, known for his iconic roles such as Batman and Beetlejuice, has decided to start using his real name, Michael Douglas, after nearly fifty years in Hollywood. This decision marks a significant change for the 72-year-old actor, who had adopted the stage name "Michael Keaton" because of the Screen Actor’s Guild's rule prohibiting two members from having the same name, thereby differentiating himself from actors Michael Douglas and talk show host Mike Douglas. This is prepared by SSP.

In a September 4th interview with People, Keaton shared his memories of choosing his stage name while browsing through what he believed to be a phone book. Reflecting on his thought process, he said, "I must’ve gone, ‘Oh, that sounds reasonable.’" As a tribute to both his stage and real names, he now intends to be professionally credited as Michael Keaton Douglas.

Keaton planned to start using his original name in the 2023 film "Knox Goes Away," which he directed and starred in. However, due to the chaotic nature of filmmaking, he forgot to adjust his credits in time. "I said, ‘Hey, just as a warning, my credit is going to be Michael Keaton Douglas.’ And it totally got away from me," Keaton explained.

Interestingly, he is not the only celebrity reconsidering their stage name. Emma Stone, Keaton's co-star in the 2014 film "Birdman," once expressed a similar desire to return to her birth name, Emily. Reflecting on this desire, she told The Hollywood Reporter, "I would like to be Emily. When I get to know them, people that I work with do call me Emily."

Both Keaton’s and Stone’s decisions to revert to their original names reveal a broader trend amongst Hollywood A-listers feeling a connection to their roots.