Actor Michael Keaton will receive the 2,585th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today, honored for a career that has included a best actor Oscar nomination and portraying Batman in two films.
John Lee Hancock, who directed Keaton in his next film, “The Founder,” and what organizers are describing as a surprise guest will join Keaton in speaking in the 11:30 a.m. ceremony in front of Madame Tussauds Hollywood on Hollywood Boulevard.
Born Michael John Douglas Sept. 5, 195, in the Pittsburgh suburb of Robinson Township, Keaton attended Kent State University for two years, then dropped out and moved to Pittsburgh. Following an unsuccessful attempt at stand- up comedy, Keaton became a member of the production crew of the Pittsburgh public television station WQED.
Keaton first appeared on television in Pittsburgh public television programs, including “Where the Heart Is” and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” as one of the Flying Zookeeni Brothers.
When Keaton moved to Hollywood in the mid-1970s, he took the stage name Michael Keaton to avoid confusion with the actor Michael Douglas and daytime talk show host Mike Douglas.
Keaton’s early network television credits included episodes of the CBS comedies “Maude” and “All’s Fair.” He was cast member of Mary Tyler Moore’s short-lived 1978 CBS variety show “Mary,” along with future talk show icon David Letterman.
Keaton was also a cast member of “The Mary Tyler Moore Hour” and “Working Stiffs” on CBS.
Keaton made his movie debut in the 1978 Joan Rivers-directed comedy “Rabbit Test,” which starred Billy Crystal as the world’s first pregnant man.
Keaton’s first starring film role was the 1982 comedy “Night Shift.” Later in the 1980s, Keaton starred in “Mr. Mom” (1983), “Gung Ho” (1986), “Beetlejuice” (1988) and “Clean and Sober” (1988).
Keaton portrayed Batman in 1989’s “Batman” and “Batman Returns” three years later.
Keaton received a best actor Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe award in 2015 for his portrayal of Riggan Thompson, a one-time celebrated, now washed- up actor battling to regain his ego and career by mounting a Broadway play in “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).”
Keaton portrayed Walter “Robby” Robinson, the Boston Globe’s assistant managing editor for investigations, in the 2015 Oscar-winning best picture “Spotlight.”
Keaton’s next film is “The Founder,” the story of Ray Kroc’s acquisition of the McDonald’s fast food chain. It had been scheduled to be released Aug. 5 but was delayed until Dec. 16 to help boost its Oscar chances.
