Michael Keaton wants to replace his stage name with original moniker: Here’s why

Michael Keaton has been using his stage name for around 50 years

Michael Keaton has recently revealed he wants to replace his stage name with his original moniker after 50 years.

In a new interview with PEOPLE, Michael explained he had to change his birth name, Michael Douglas, because of the Screen Actor’s Guild’s rules.

The Guild stated that no “two members can have the same name,” which is why Keaton was compelled to change his name due to actor Michael Douglas and talk show host Mike Douglas.

“I was looking through—I can’t remember if it was a phone book,” recalled the 72-year-old.

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

At present, the Oscar-nominated actor shared he wanted a combination of his stage name and real name. He would now be credited professionally as Michael Keaton Douglas

Keaton pointed out that he planned to use the new name on his 2023 movie, Knox Goes Away, but he “forgot” while making the movie.

“I said, ‘Hey, just as a warning, my credit is going to be Michael Keaton Douglas.’ And it totally got away from me,” he continued.

Keaton added, “And I forgot to give them enough time to put it in and create that. But that will happen.”

Meanwhile, Keaton is not the first Hollywood star to revert to his birth name.

His Birdman co-star Emma Stone also disclosed she “would like to be” referred to by her original name whenever possible and that would be “Emily”.