Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Michael Keaton
How Michael Keaton built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Michael Keaton is a highly acclaimed American actor known for his versatility and extensive career. He has garnered significant recognition, including a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards, along with nominations for prestigious awards like the Academy Award and BAFTA Award. His contributions to the arts were further acknowledged in 2016 when he was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters in France. Keaton's success spans across comedic and dramatic roles, cementing his status as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
1975: TV Debut
In 1975, Michael Keaton first appeared on TV in the Pittsburgh public television programs Where the Heart Is and Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.
1978: Film Debut
In 1978, Michael Keaton's film debut came in a small non-speaking role in the Joan Rivers film Rabbit Test.
1982: Co-starring Role in Night Shift
In 1982, Michael Keaton had his breakout role in Night Shift, directed by Ron Howard.
1982: Night Shift Release
In 1982, Michael Keaton played a notable role in Night Shift.
1983: Leading Role in Mr. Mom
In 1983, Michael Keaton became a leading man in the comedy hit Mr. Mom.
1983: Mr. Mom Release
In 1983, Michael Keaton played a notable role in Mr. Mom.
1984: Johnny Dangerously Release
In 1984, Michael Keaton gained early recognition for his role in Johnny Dangerously.
1984: Starring in Johnny Dangerously
In 1984, Michael Keaton starred in the comedy Johnny Dangerously.
1986: Starring in Gung Ho
In 1986, Michael Keaton starred in the film Gung Ho and Touch and Go.
1986: Game 6 Release
In 2006, Michael Keaton starred in Game 6, about the 1986 World Series bid by the Boston Red Sox.
1987: Starring in The Squeeze
In 1987, Michael Keaton starred in the film The Squeeze.
1988: Breakthrough Year
1988 was a seminal year in Keaton's career. He landed major unconventional roles, playing the title character in Beetlejuice and a dramatic performance as a drug-addicted realtor in Glenn Gordon Caron's Clean and Sober.
1988: Beetlejuice Release
In 1988, Michael Keaton gained early recognition for his comedic role in Beetlejuice.
1988: Clean and Sober Release
In 1988, Michael Keaton played a dramatic performance in Clean and Sober.
1989: Batman Release and Success
In 1989, Michael Keaton played the title comic book superhero of the film Batman. Despite initial fan complaints, Keaton's performance earned widespread acclaim, and Batman became one of the year's most successful films.
1989: The Dream Team and Batman Release
In 1989, Michael Keaton starred in The Dream Team and gained wider stardom portraying Batman.
1989: Starring in The Dream Team
In 1989, Michael Keaton starred in the film The Dream Team.
1990: Pacific Heights Release
In 1990, Michael Keaton appeared in the film Pacific Heights.
1991: One Good Cop Release
In 1991, Michael Keaton appeared in the film One Good Cop.
1992: Last Batman Role Until 2023
In 1992, Keaton last played the role of Batman/Bruce Wayne until he reprised the role in 2023 in The Flash.
1992: Batman Returns Release
In 1992, Michael Keaton reprised his role as Batman in Batman Returns.
1993: My Life and Much Ado About Nothing Releases
In 1993, Michael Keaton appeared in the films My Life and Much Ado About Nothing.
1993: Much Ado About Nothing Release
In 1993, Michael Keaton played a notable role in Much Ado About Nothing.
1994: The Paper and Speechless Releases
In 1994, Michael Keaton appeared in the films The Paper and Speechless.
1995: Departure from Batman Franchise
In 1995, Michael Keaton did not reprise his role in Batman Forever due to creative differences with the new director, Joel Schumacher.
1996: Multiplicity Release
In 1996, Michael Keaton appeared in the film Multiplicity.
1997: Jackie Brown Release
In 1997, Michael Keaton appeared in the film Jackie Brown.
1998: Jack Frost and Desperate Measures Releases
In 1998, Michael Keaton appeared in the films Jack Frost and Desperate Measures.
1998: Jack Frost Release
In 1998, Michael Keaton played a notable role in Jack Frost.
2002: Live From Baghdad Release
In 2002, Michael Keaton appeared in Live From Baghdad and was nominated for a Golden Globe.
2003: PBS Memorial Tribute Host
In 2003, after Fred Rogers' death, Michael Keaton hosted a PBS memorial tribute, Fred Rogers: America's Favorite Neighbor.
September 28, 2004: Mr. Rogers: America's Favorite Neighbor DVD Release
On September 28, 2004, the PBS TV special Mr. Rogers: America's Favorite Neighbor, hosted by Michael Keaton, was released on DVD.
2004: First Daughter Release
In 2004, Michael Keaton played the president in First Daughter, and hosted the PBS TV special Mr. Rogers: America's Favorite Neighbor.
2005: White Noise and Herbie: Fully Loaded Releases
In 2005, Michael Keaton appeared in the films White Noise and Herbie: Fully Loaded.
2006: Cars Release
In 2006, Michael Keaton performed a voice role in the animated film Cars.
2007: The Company Miniseries Release
In 2007, Michael Keaton starred in the TV miniseries The Company, portraying James Jesus Angleton.
2008: The Merry Gentleman Release
In 2008, Michael Keaton directed and starred in the film The Merry Gentleman.
2010: Toy Story 3 Release
In 2010, Michael Keaton performed a voice role in the animated film Toy Story 3.
2013: Wrote ESPN Blog
In 2013, Keaton wrote an ESPN blog on the Pirates during the final months of their season.
2014: RoboCop Release
In 2014, Michael Keaton played Raymond Sellars in the RoboCop remake.
2014: Birdman Release and Golden Globe Win
In 2014, Michael Keaton starred in Birdman, winning a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.
2015: Spotlight Release
In 2015, Michael Keaton acted in the biographical drama Spotlight.
2016: The Founder Release
In 2016, Michael Keaton starred as Ray Kroc in the biopic The Founder.
2017: Spider-Man: Homecoming Release
In 2017, Michael Keaton played the Vulture in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
2018: Mister Rogers 50th Anniversary Special Host
In 2018, Michael Keaton hosted a 50th anniversary special of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood for PBS, titled Mister Rogers: It's You I Like.
October 2019: Goodrich Filming Set To Commence
In October 2019, filming for Goodrich, a film starring Keaton, was set to commence but was delayed.
2019: Appeared in PETA Ad Campaign
In 2019, Keaton appeared in a PETA ad campaign, asking tourists not to visit operations that exploit animals.
2019: Dumbo Release
In 2019, Michael Keaton played a notable role in Dumbo.
2020: The Trial of the Chicago 7 Release
In 2020, Michael Keaton acted in The Trial of the Chicago 7.
2021: Worth Release
In 2021, Michael Keaton acted in the biographical drama Worth.
2021: Worth and Dopesick Releases and Awards
In 2021, Michael Keaton starred in Worth and Dopesick, winning a Screen Actors Guild Award and Primetime Emmy Award for his role in Dopesick.
April 1, 2022: Morbius Release
On April 1, 2022, Michael Keaton briefly reprised his role as Vulture in the SSU film Morbius.
August 2022: Batgirl film cancelled
In August 2022, the release of Batgirl, where Keaton was set to reprise his role as Batman/Bruce Wayne, was cancelled even though he had filmed scenes for the movie.
April 2023: Goodrich Filming Commences
In April 2023, filming began for Goodrich, a film starring Keaton.
2023: Keaton reprises Batman role
In 2023, Keaton reprised his role as Batman/Bruce Wayne in The Flash and starred in and directed the noir thriller Knox Goes Away.
2023: Knox Goes Away Release
In 2023, Michael Keaton directed and starred in the film Knox Goes Away.
2024: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
In 2024, Keaton reprised his role as Betelgeuse for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
