Stage names have been commonplace since the inception of professional entertainment. For example, Keanu Reeves initially resisted being asked to change his name due to its perceived exoticism, a suggestion he declined. On the other hand, Nicolas Cage altered his name to distance himself from the renowned surname Coppola, potentially impacting his career. Michael Keaton also changed his name for less sensational reasons compared to others in the industry
In simple terms, an actor’s name changes are not usually disclosed publicly, yet they are no longer hidden secrets. A popular tale in Hollywood recounts Michael Keaton’s decision on his latest stage name, but he has also been transparent about his dislike for the change and intends to revert to his real name in upcoming roles
Why Michael Douglas Changed His Name To Michael Keaton
As a devoted fan, I might rephrase that as follows: It’s fascinating, isn’t it, when you learn that the enigmatic Batman and Beetlejuice actor, Michael Keaton, was originally named Michael Douglas. However, his decision to adopt a new moniker wasn’t just a move to prevent mix-ups; it was a requirement stipulated by union regulations
In the 1970s, Keaton became a member of the Screen Actors Guild. Michael Douglas, son of Kirk Douglas, had already established himself on screen. Mike Douglas was a TV talk show host. So, Keaton chose a new name. The story goes that he picked it out of a phone book, but Keaton mentioned to People he didn’t even remember, saying
I glanced over – I’m not sure if it was a directory, but I couldn’t recall exactly. In any case, I found myself saying, “Let me mull this over.” Then, I added, “That seems plausible.”
With that straightforward choice, Michael Douglas transformed into Michael Keaton, and from then on, events unfolded as history shows. Michael Keaton would eventually take leading roles in hit films and even secure Academy Award nominations. Yet, the actor harbored intentions to revert back to his birth name, and he still does so today
Why Michael Keaton Wants His Name Back Now
Some performers who adopt a new stage name fully embrace it in all facets of their life, while others do not. Jonah Hill officially adopted his professional name as his legal name. In contrast, Emma Stone, who like Keaton changed her first name for similar SAG reasons, prefers when people use her original given name instead
It appears that Michael Keaton doesn’t fully identify with his stage name. Interestingly, he only employs this name for professional purposes. In an interview with Stephen Colbert in 2017, he admitted that this choice can sometimes lead to misunderstandings
It’s quite unique that I go by my full name, Michael John Douglas, in most situations, but on billboards or performances, I use just “Michael Douglas.” This often leaves people baffled because they might see a driver with a sign saying ‘Michael Douglas’ and then encounter me. Their expressions of confusion are priceless!
Instead of using a pseudonym, Keaton intends to utilize his real name professionally since he’s not only an actor, but also a director. He mentioned this to People magazine, explaining that for the movie “Knox Goes Away“, he had initially intended to list his real name in the credits, but forgot. Nevertheless, he plans to use his real name in future projects
I blurted out, “By the way, my credit is going to be like Michael Keaton Douglas.” I lost track of things and didn’t provide enough lead time for them to incorporate it properly. However, I understand it will eventually get sorted out
While Michael Keaton remains active on-screen, such as in the upcoming release of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”, keep an eye out for Michael Douglas making his mark off-camera in the future
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2024-09-05 18:39