Four decades into his Hollywood career, Michael Keaton thinks the time is right to begin using his birth name Michael Douglas; however, since the Screen Actors Guild does not allow for two actors of the same name, he will have to modify it some other way.
Back in the ‘70s, he attempted to use Mike Douglas but was rejected, and this made him opt for his current name. He tried to do this while filming Knox Goes Away to get his new name on the credits, but it was too late.
Michael Keaton is not backing down
After missing his shot at changing his name last year, Keaton’s name will yet again appear as Michael Keaton in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice credits. The sequel to the 1988 movie will be made available by September 6, and Keaton has reprised his role as Beetlejuice in the film.
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While at the Venice Film Festival in Italy, Keaton assured anticipating fans that his character has evolved and is more socially conscious, and unlike the original, this Beetlejuice is more morally conscious and thoughtful before making decisions.
More of Hollywood’s celebrity real names
Meanwhile, Keaton’s Instagram profile reads his full name as the username but simply “Michael Keaton” in the bio. The academy-award winner is not the first to experience having to change their name to conform with SAG, as others like Emma Stone, Michael J. Fox, Vin Diesel, Diane Keaton, and Olivia Wilde have been in his position.
For Emma, she had to drop the name Emily as Emily Stone was already taken, while Diane had to drop her last name, Hall, for her mother’s maiden name. As for Michael J. Fox, not much change was necessary, as the actor only had to replace “Andrew” with “J.” after much convincing.