Michael Keaton (born Michael John Douglas, 5.9.1951) Michael Keaton is an American film actor. He is perhaps best known for his roles in the Tim Burton-directed Batman films and Beetlejuice. Michael Keaton's first TV appearance came in 1975, on the Pittsburgh-based Mister Rogers' Neighbourhood. He also worked as an assistant on the show. He also befriended Spike Jonze early on in his career, when he appeared in a Jonze-directed advert for Architect Jeans. After leaving Pittsburgh, Keaton successfully auditioned for a number of small TV roles in Los Angeles, including The Mary Tyler Moore Hour and Maude. Having to change his name, to avoid confusion with the actor Michael Douglas, he chose Keaton, inspired by the actress Diane Keaton.