MICHAEL KEATON

Actor

Michael Keaton was born Michael John Douglas on September 9, 1951 in Coraopolis, PA. He changed his name when becoming an actor because there was already an actor named Michael Douglas. He went to Catholic school until switching to a public school at age 14. He majored in speech at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, for two years before he dropped out. He then returned to Pittsburgh, where he drove a taxi and worked at a PBS station. His first acting job was on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, where he had small parts portraying several characters. In 1975, he went to the Second City improvisational group, then became a comedy writer and went on to other parts in other television shows, mostly small parts on network shows.

Keaton has made over 20 films. His first movie was Night Shift with Henry Winkler in 1982, and it proved to be a breakthrough role. It and 1983's Mr. Mom showed a very broad comic and made him well known and liked. He made other comedies, but was not limited to them. In 1988, Clean and Sober was a dramatic role, and Beetlejuice showed a wildly broad comedy touch. Batman in 1989 showed a very dark side to his acting, followed by dramatic roles in Pacific Heights and One Good Cop in1990 and 1991. He even took on a Shakespeare role along with a star-studded cast in 1993's Much Ado About Nothing. Another role that stretched Keaton's performances was a multiple role as four people in Multiplicity in 1996, not to Mention playing a snowman in 1998's Jack Frost. 2002 saw him take on an HBO Films role as a news man in a dangerous place in Live From Bagdad. White Noise and Herbie: Fully Loaded are upcoming films.

In addition to his acting roles, Keaton keeps his ties to his hometown and also gives his time to non-profit organizations such as the Parental Stress Center and American Rivers. He also sits on the advisory board of the Pittsburgh Penguins NHL Hockey team. He has a son, Sean, with his wife, Caroline MacWilliams, who are now divorced.