Michael Keaton reveals plans to start using combo of birth and professional name

By Carson Blackwelder

You know him as Michael Keaton, but the actor is planning to change his name in show business.

Born Michael Douglas -- just like the two-time Oscar winner -- the "Beetlejuice" star opened up in a new interview about choosing his professional moniker when starting in the '70s due to the Screen Actors Guild rule that prohibits two members from having the same name.

Keaton told People he doesn't recall if he found his chosen name in a phone book like the rumors suggest, but added, "I must've gone, 'I don't know, let me think of something here.' And I went, 'Oh, that sounds reasonable.'"

Despite making a name for himself -- quite literally -- throughout his decades-long career, starring in movies like "Birdman" and even playing Batman, the actor said he'd like to go by a combination of his birth name and stage name: Michael Keaton Douglas.

James McCauley/Shutterstock

Michael Keaton is seen at the 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' film photocall in London, Aug. 30, 2024.

In fact, Keaton said he intended to be credited with the hybrid name on "Knox Goes Away," the film he directed and starred in which was released in theaters earlier this year, but simply "forgot."

"It totally got away from me," he said. "And I forgot to give them enough time to put it in and create that. But it will happen."

Keaton can next be seen on the big screen in "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," the long-awaited sequel coming more than 35 years after the original, out this Friday.