Michael Keaton
Michael Keaton
Michael John Douglas, known professionally as Michael Keaton, is an American actor, comedian, producer, & director. Keaton first rose to fame for his comedic film roles in Night Shift, Mr. Mom, Johnny Dangerouslyand Beetlejuice, and he earned further acclaim for his dramatic portrayal of Bruce Wayne / Batman in Tim Burton's Batmanand Batman Returns. Since then, he has appeared in a variety of films ranging from dramas and romantic comedies to thriller and action films; such as Clean and Sober,...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionMovie Actor
Date of Birth5 September 1951
CityRobinson, PA
CountryUnited States of America
Weirdly, for someone who wanted to be funny, I didn't like a lot of attention.
When I was in improv workshops or doing stand-up or writing comedy with others, or just doing comedy, I just laughed. Funny was funny; I loved to laugh. I always liked people I found generally funny.
My first manager, he had left Germany when he was five, but he would joke about the Nazis. And I'd laugh, but I'd look at him, and he was the first one who told me, 'You know, funny is a powerful thing; it's a wonderful weapon.'
I read that John Hughes script for 'Mr. Mom,' and I thought, 'This guy is a funny writer.' I went: 'You ought to stick around and direct this thing.' But he didn't; he left, and look what he became. A really legendary comedy director.
In high school, I was too shy to perform. It's one thing to get laughs from your family, to be funny at parties and in class. It's another thing to get up on the stage.
David Letterman used to say, 'I wasn't the class clown, but I wrote for him,' and that's exactly it. You want to be known to be funny without having it pointed out.
There just is not one person in my family who is not funny.
If you get a good comedy once a year, man, that's pretty good. I may be pickier than some, but still, there aren't that many movies that are really, truly, honestly that funny.
I was an altar boy, which I loved and am very proud of. It was strict, but also really nice.
My work is distinct and definitive and specific, and hopefully it is so that every single character is different, and they are - but there's probably an underlying element that's me.
Look, I'd do it, too, if I were a businessman. But at some point, you've got to win. I think fans have been gracious ... Maybe not vociferous enough with their displeasure. That's my opinion.
I worked at a PBS station called WQED in Pittsburgh.
I think one reason I really like women and like working with women is because of my sisters.
To say directing was a long-stewing ambition doesn't cover it. If you cut me open, you'd see it.