Michael Keaton Plans to Use Real Name for Future Credits. It Matches Another Major Celeb’s Name

Michael Keaton is back in the spotlight with Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which is set to top $100 million in its opening weekend at the domestic box office."

This highly anticipated sequel could be the last time the Oscar-nominated actor is credited as Michael Keaton, a stage name he's used since 1978."

Narrator (V.O.): In a recent People magazine cover story, Keaton revealed he plans to switch his official acting credit to a name closer to his birth name, Michael Douglas.

He couldn’t use his real name when he first joined the Screen Actors Guild in the late '70s because Michael Douglas was already a well-known Hollywood actor. Plus, 'Mike Douglas' was taken by a talk show host.

“I was looking through — I can’t remember if it was a phone book,” Keaton said about landing on his stage last name.

“I must’ve gone, ‘I don’t know, let me think of something here.’ And I went, ‘Oh, that sounds reasonable,’” he added.

Michael Keaton has expressed his intention to use a hybrid name, Michael Keaton Douglas, for his official acting credit in the future. Although he intended to use this credit for his directorial project Knox Goes Away, which he also starred in, he missed the chance to update it in time.

"I mentioned I wanted my credit to be Michael Keaton Douglas, but it slipped my mind," Keaton admitted. "I didn’t give them enough time to make the change, but it will happen."

In Knox Goes Away, Keaton plays a hitman seeking to reconcile with his son before dementia overtakes him. The film also features James Marsden, Suzy McKinnon, Marcia Gay Harden, and Al Pacino. Variety’s review praised the film as "a silky and entrancing thriller" and noted that Keaton’s performance, blending action with depth, surpasses David Fincher’s The Killer in terms of both execution and emotional impact.

As his career progresses, fans may see "Michael Keaton Douglas" in future credits. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, featuring Michael Keaton, opens in theaters on September 6, courtesy of Warner Bros.

Also Watch | 'Tere Saath': Maahi's new romantic single is a heartfelt promise of love and devotion, watch