Michael Keaton Quotes

Powerful Michael Keaton for Daily Growth

About Michael Keaton

Michael Douglas Keaton, born on September 5, 1951, in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, is an acclaimed American actor, producer, and former stand-up comedian, best known for his roles as Batman in the 'Batman' films and Ray Kinsella in 'Field of Dreams.' Growing up in a working-class family, Keaton developed a love for comedy at an early age. He dropped out of college to pursue a career in stand-up comedy, performing in various clubs across Pittsburgh before moving to New York City. In the city, he honed his skills as a comedian and transitioned into acting on stage and television. Keaton's big break came in 1978 when he was cast as Douglas Romeo "Dougie" Howser, M.D., the title character of the hit TV series 'Doctor Doogie Houser, M.D.' The success of this show propelled him into the film industry, leading to roles in films like 'Night Shift' (1982), 'Mr. Mom' (1983), and 'Beetlejuice' (1988). However, it was his portrayal of Bruce Wayne/Batman in the 1989 film 'Batman' that solidified his status as a Hollywood icon. Though he briefly retired from acting after the release of 'Batman Returns' (1992), Keaton returned to acting in the mid-1990s, starring in films such as 'The Paper' (1994) and 'Multiplicity' (1996). In 2014, Keaton made a surprising comeback by reprising his role as Batman in the DC Extended Universe film 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.' He continued this role in the highly successful solo film 'The Batman' (2022). Off-screen, Keaton is known for his philanthropic work, particularly with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, following his friend Michael J. Fox's diagnosis with Parkinson's disease in 1991. Throughout his career, Michael Keaton has shown versatility and dedication to his craft, earning him numerous accolades and a place among Hollywood's most respected actors.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I think everybody should get rich and wise and comfortable and happy. But you have to be careful what you do if you get it all."

The quote emphasizes the importance of wealth and comfort, but also cautions against taking them for granted or using them in ways that could lead to self-destruction or harm. It suggests that achieving success should not only be about personal gain, but also about making wise decisions to maintain a fulfilling and meaningful life.

"The only time I ever enjoy a movie is when I don't see the twist coming."

Michael Keaton suggests that he most appreciates films where he does not anticipate the plot twists, indicating his preference for suspense and surprise in storytelling. This implies a desire for an immersive cinematic experience that keeps him engaged and entertained throughout the movie.

"I always thought that being an actor was about the work, not the fame."

Michael Keaton's quote underscores his dedication to his craft as an actor, emphasizing that he views acting primarily as a means of doing meaningful work rather than seeking fame or recognition. This perspective reflects a focus on artistic growth and fulfillment, rather than the external validation often associated with fame. It also suggests a humble approach to his career, where the joy of performing and mastering roles is more important than the spotlight that may come with it.

"You can't be afraid to look foolish or to make mistakes - that's the key to everything."

Michael Keaton's quote emphasizes the importance of overcoming fear of failure, looking foolish, or making mistakes as a means for growth and success. In other words, it encourages taking risks and learning from experiences, understanding that such actions are essential parts of personal development and achieving one's goals.

"I like the idea of working hard to get something and then working even harder to keep it."

This quote by Michael Keaton emphasizes the importance of both striving for success (working hard to get something) and maintaining that success through constant effort (working even harder to keep it). It implies a mindset that values perseverance, dedication, and continuous improvement in order to sustain achievements and maintain one's position.

I'm envious of writers and musicians. I think it must be so difficult. Not just the frustration, but the discipline.

- Michael Keaton

Frustration, Think, I Think, Envious

It's great to make your own choices, but there's a price to pay. I could've made more money or been more famous. I could be the current groovy guy.

- Michael Keaton

Famous, Been, Made, Groovy

There comes a point in your life when you realize how quickly time goes by, and how quickly it has gone. Then it really speeds up exponentially. With that, I think you start to put a lot of things into context; you start to see how huge the world is, and really, the universe.

- Michael Keaton

I Think, Quickly, Your, Huge

From the time I was a kid, I was crazy about anything having to do with the West. I'd look at all of these photos of Montana, and they all seemed so magical and majestic. I just wanted to go west, and I finally did it when I was barely 21. I went off to volunteer at a Navajo reservation in New Mexico.

- Michael Keaton

Kid, New Mexico, About, Mexico

In the household in which I was raised, the themes were pretty simple. 'Work hard. Don't quit. Be appreciative, be thankful, be grateful, be respectful. Also, never whine, never complain. And always, for crying out loud, keep a sense of humor.'

- Michael Keaton

Thankful, Sense Of Humor, Complain

I grew up in rural Pennsylvania, in a really rundown old house. I'd stay out till 8:30, 9:00 at night. Just blow in. My mom and dad never really cared much. It was okay. We were pretty free to roam. I mean, I had no concept of stopping play. It just didn't occur to anyone.

- Michael Keaton

Play, Till, Dad, Pennsylvania

I guess I'm probably a Method actor; I don't know... I just think of it as staying in the zone.

- Michael Keaton

Think, Method, Staying, Method Actor

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.

- Michael Keaton

Class Clown, Having, Wrote, Pointed

I worked at a PBS station called WQED in Pittsburgh.

- Michael Keaton

Station, Pittsburgh, Worked, PBS

I was never a huge 007 fan, but I sure liked Sean Connery. I'm sure Pierce Brosnan is good and has his moments, but I've not seen him; I've only seen bits and pieces on TV, so I can't really judge. Pierce looks very natural in the role.

- Michael Keaton

Role, Very, TV, None

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.

- Michael Keaton

Work, Distinct, Underlying, Definitive

I've got a statue of St. Francis in my front yard, and I'm not even a practicing Catholic.

- Michael Keaton

Yard, Practicing, Even, Francis

Colbert makes me crazy: he's so funny. Plus, he seems like an extraordinarily decent dude.

- Michael Keaton

Like, Makes, Decent, Dude

People always make these generalized statements about Hollywood, and there's all kinds of people in Hollywood.

- Michael Keaton

Hollywood, Always, About, Generalized

I really believed that Batman had the potential to be one of the coolest guys in cinema.

- Michael Keaton

Guys, Had, Believed, Coolest

I'm usually pretty good in front of a live audience. I usually like that.

- Michael Keaton

Audience, Pretty, Like, Live Audience

Westerns were always my favorite things when I was little. And it always bothered me when cowboys were too clean in movies, or when they wore their guns like they had an outfit on. It always worked better when a guy looked sweaty and smelly; I hadda believe, I hadda believe that.

- Michael Keaton

Guns, Guy, Had, Favorite Things

Over the years, I think, people - actors, writers, whatever - lose their frame of reference. Their frame of reference is based on somebody else who did this or did that. Performances. So it just becomes a reflection of what already works. Like a warm-up. And that's an invitation to be inauthentic.

- Michael Keaton

Years, I Think, Works, Warm-Up

I'd get scripts and think: 'What's the point of this?'

- Michael Keaton

Think, Get, Point, Scripts

I find there are a few places where I like to meditate more than in other places. There's a little Catholic church that I go to, and there's another temple I go to - there are certain places where I just feel more comfortable.

- Michael Keaton

More, Other, Like, Catholic Church

I was an altar boy, which I loved and am very proud of. It was strict, but also really nice.

- Michael Keaton

Altar, Very, Which, Strict

Leaving a lot of movie sets, I've gone home and said, 'How come my hands are clean?' I should finish something and go home with dirt in my fingernails, because then you really feel that you've done something.

- Michael Keaton

Hands, Feel, Movie, Fingernails

I was raising a child full time, sharing the responsibility with his mom. He lived with me half the time, so I chose not to go away and make certain movies.

- Michael Keaton

Away, Raising, Half, Half The Time

I used to work on a survey crew, because my dad was an engineer, but he was also a surveyor.

- Michael Keaton

Work, Dad, Also, Survey

'Birdman' is a very risky movie. I knew I wanted to do it just from watching Alejandro's other work. I told a friend, 'I would have done it based on 'Amores Perros' alone.'

- Michael Keaton

Other, Very, Based, Risky

I played a lot of sports when I was a kid so I get in that ballgame mindset of being really, really respectful, but at same time saying to yourself, 'Don't back down a single inch, hang with these guys if you can.' If they throw it high and tight you have to stand in there, you can't take yourself out of that moment.

- Michael Keaton

Kid, Back, Hang, Respectful

Day to day and doing the work and getting to that honest point - that, for me, is always about - and always will be as long as I do this - refining and refining and refining and refining the truth... constantly being as truthful and honest and raw and real as you can be.

- Michael Keaton

Doing, Will, Always, Truthful

My first day in grade school, I was plain scared. I left the comfort of my run-down house, which I loved, and went to school where it was cold, it smelled, the lighting was bad.

- Michael Keaton

Bad, Which, Smelled, Grade School

I hope this doesn't sound pretentious, but I very often like the way Europeans make movies. I think sometimes that don't they care about having to clean certain things.

- Michael Keaton

Think, I Think, Very, Pretentious

I saw 'Wild,' and I thought, 'Wow, this is a lot of things, but one of the things is it's a therapist's dream and a climate-change denier's nightmare.'

- Michael Keaton

Thought, One Of The Things, Wow

'Birdman' has kinda... changed things. I'm not saying you won't see traditionally made movies any more. But I've had meetings with directors, and they've said it makes them rethink everything. You can hate this movie, but you have to talk about it. It's going to go down as one of the most interesting movies ever made.

- Michael Keaton

Movie, Directors, About, Rethink

I've changed my diet a few times. Now I'm trying to eat more protein. I eat little meals throughout the day. I love food, so I still give myself great meals. Also, when I'm busy, it's easy to lose weight.

- Michael Keaton

Love, Times, I Love, Changed

To make extra money, my parents would sell eggs and chickens. I was very little. I remember a chicken's head being chopped off with the chicken running around. I wasn't sure if my imagination was running away with me or if it really happened. It really happened.

- Michael Keaton

Chicken, I Remember, Very, Chopped

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.

- Michael Keaton

Doing, Comedy, Always, Workshops

I'm in a business that invites narcissism, self-involvement, and egos being blown out of proportion.

- Michael Keaton

Business, Proportion, Egos, Narcissism

High energy creates more energy, more energy, more energy. It kicks off synapses, I guess. It opens up your brain and you think of one thing after another thing, after another. You can really open yourself up comedically, which is fun.

- Michael Keaton

High, Another, Your, Kicks

'Beetlejuice' was a romp, man. 'Beetlejuice' was fun. I've never had so much fun in my life.

- Michael Keaton

Life, My Life, Had, So Much Fun

Filmmaking is the ultimate team sport.

- Michael Keaton

Team, Filmmaking, Ultimate, Team Sport

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.'

- Michael Keaton

About, Had, Germany, Laugh

Will Ferrell makes me laugh a lot when he gets out there and gets crazy.

- Michael Keaton

Will, Lot, Will Ferrell, Laugh

I reached a point where I didn't think I was that great. I'm not being humble. I was looking at things and thinking: 'You're not really good in that'. I think I was becoming boring as well as bored. It was nobody's fault except mine - probably - and it might not even be my fault.

- Michael Keaton

Humble, I Think, Becoming, Bored

I'm getting more and more bored with professional sports, but I still watch.

- Michael Keaton

Sports, Still, Getting, Bored

You don't get bored with stuff like 'Birdman.'

- Michael Keaton

You, Like, Get, Bored

The vast majority of Pittsburghers don't come from any kind of serious dough.

- Michael Keaton

Serious, Kind, Vast Majority, Dough

I used to say no to almost everything because I thought, 'I've got enough dough, I know what I want to do, and I know what I'm capable of.'

- Michael Keaton

Thought, Almost Everything, Dough

Anesthesia is quite remarkable. It's lost time. And you wake up kind of refreshed.

- Michael Keaton

Lost, Remarkable, Wake, Refreshed

I don't think there's anybody better than Leonardo DiCaprio, and I've been saying that since before anyone knew who he was.

- Michael Keaton

Think, Been, Before, DiCaprio

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.

- Michael Keaton

Thought, Became, Hughes, Ought

I get kinda self-conscious. I don't want to know about my eyebrows. I'm born with them.

- Michael Keaton

Born, Want, Self-Conscious, Eyebrows

I remember my mom threatening me, half-serious: 'You know what? I should take you to Pittsburgh and put you in dance lessons just to keep you occupied.' Well, that brought everything to a screeching halt. 'Jeeze, dance lessons.' In retrospect, it would have been awesome, but then, 'Ugh, dancing - dancing's for sissies.'

- Michael Keaton

Dancing, I Remember, Been, Lessons

I always knew the way in was Bruce Wayne. It wasn't Batman. It was never Batman. That was the key.

- Michael Keaton

Never, Always, Knew, Key

Unless you're flat out dead, you have to think of some other questions like: what's on the other side? It brings up issues of God, or no God. How does he play into this? Or he, or she, or it? How does it all play into this?

- Michael Keaton

Play, Some, Other, Flat Out

I liked going to Catholic school.

- Michael Keaton

Catholic School, Going, Catholic

I don't know - sometimes I catch myself being dark, and it's annoying. I think, 'Get over it.' I bore myself. But sometimes, like everybody, I'm sure I am obsessive.

- Michael Keaton

Think, Over, Everybody, Annoying

There's this thin line between knowing something is going to be really hard and saying, 'Yeah, you know, but I still gotta see if I can pull it off.'

- Michael Keaton

Line, Going, Still, Thin

To this day, I have the most fond memories of some of my old toys.

- Michael Keaton

Toys, Some, Most, Fond

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.

- Michael Keaton

Good, Year, Some, Once A Year

I really like to hear actors talk about acting, but I don't really like hearing myself talk.

- Michael Keaton

Myself, Like, About, Hearing

My limited theater experience was when I was a kid starting out: two or three plays. I was good in one and mediocre in the other. My problem is that I have other interests.

- Michael Keaton

Other, Limited, Plays, Starting

I watch 'Morning Joe' occasionally. I used to watch a lot more than I do now, but I watched it, and all of a sudden, there was this love fest, for crying out loud - this inexplicable love fest one morning - for The Donald.

- Michael Keaton

Love, Loud, Joe, One Morning

I'm just shocked at how blatantly shallow people are sometimes.

- Michael Keaton

Sometimes, How, Just, Shallow

The first feature film I did, when I did 'Night Shift,' I improvised quite a bit because I would improvise at the audition, so sometimes I would return to the original lines, and then when I was on set, I would improvise even more.

- Michael Keaton

Sometimes, Shift, Improvise, Lines

To say directing was a long-stewing ambition doesn't cover it. If you cut me open, you'd see it.

- Michael Keaton

See, Cover, Cut, Directing

I'm the seventh child of George and Leona Douglas, and I don't ever remember a time when my father didn't work two jobs. When my mother was going to the grocery, or going to Mass, or trying to take care of seven kids in a run-down farmhouse.

- Michael Keaton

Father, Seven, Mass, Douglas

Have I ever been to a party with a ton of famous people in it? Yes, several times, so I guess that's a Hollywood lifestyle.

- Michael Keaton

Famous, Hollywood, Been, Lifestyle

Chris Guest movies are funny.

- Michael Keaton

Funny, Movies, Guest, Chris

Chris Nolan is great, but I've never seen any of the 'Batman' movies all the way through. I know they're good. I just have zero interest in those kinds of movies.

- Michael Keaton

Great, Through, Kinds, Chris

In our family, my brothers and I shared toys. In other words, just because it was mine didn't mean my brothers and I didn't play with it.

- Michael Keaton

Play, Mine, Shared, In Other Words

There are certainly producers I hang with and directors I hang with and actors I hang with.

- Michael Keaton

Hang, Directors, Certainly, Producers

Historically, I'm not a great patient when it comes to slowing down.

- Michael Keaton

Great, Patient, Slowing, Historically

If you're a dope like me, you get every sports channel you can get. I'm watching, you know, Netherlands soccer.

- Michael Keaton

Sports, Soccer, Like, Netherlands

I can't sleep the first night in a hotel room.

- Michael Keaton

Sleep, Night, Hotel, Hotel Room

I try to not be or associate with elitists.

- Michael Keaton

Try, Associate

Guys never really get over their toys.

- Michael Keaton

Never, Toys, Over, Guys

Show business is, essentially, a fear-based industry.

- Michael Keaton

Business, Show, Industry, Essentially

I've proven I'm courageous. I'm gutsier than anybody; I've got a better imagination than anybody; I'm essentially more creative than any other actor I know, and I've proven I take risks. I don't think I need to prove anything to myself any more.

- Michael Keaton

Prove, Other, Anybody, Essentially

If I'm going to meditate, there is a little church up in Montecito, California. It's an old Spanish mission, actually. I find it comforting in there.

- Michael Keaton

Comforting, Going, Spanish, Meditate

If you look at what I do, there's no consistency. The consistency is that there is no consistency. I do projects that are good and not so good.

- Michael Keaton

Good, Look, Projects, Consistency

I'll always stand by the first 'Batman'. Even for its imperfections, people will never know how hard that movie was to do. A lot of that still holds up.

- Michael Keaton

Movie, Always, Still, Batman

If I didn't do 'Batman,' 'Birdman' wouldn't have happened.

- Michael Keaton

Happened, Batman

We had four guys in the family, so somebody was always hitting somebody or chasing somebody or getting mad or fighting or wrestling - that was just what you did. So when you're the youngest, it's good for you. You figure out real early how to get out of headlocks and holds.

- Michael Keaton

Fighting, Had, Youngest, Holds

There're only a few photographers I've ever felt really comfortable with.

- Michael Keaton

Comfortable, Only, Ever, Photographers

From an art perspective, I don't know how you get better than 'Beetlejuice.' In terms of originality and a look, it's 100% unique.

- Michael Keaton

Art, Look, Better, Originality

There are times when I consciously give the character something physical - a walk, the way he sits, how he talks, or his lack of physicality, which is like a physicality.

- Michael Keaton

Give, Like, Which, Physicality

I have some tremendous, tremendously loving, generous friends all over the world.

- Michael Keaton

Loving, Some, Over, Generous

For years, I'd go to the movies and see guys doing Boston accents and think, 'Oh please, God, I hope I never have to do that.'

- Michael Keaton

Doing, Think, Boston, Accents

I still really like newspapers. I'm gonna feel really sad when they go. Or not - maybe I'll be dead.

- Michael Keaton

Like, Maybe, Still, Newspapers

Generally, I move in the direction of art.

- Michael Keaton

Art, Direction, Move, Generally

Sometimes I don't feel like an actor. Sometimes I speak about it like it was another job, and then I go, 'Wait a minute - I am one!'

- Michael Keaton

Wait, Sometimes, Like, Minute

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.

- Michael Keaton

Shy, Another, One Thing, Parties

All actors are my brothers and my sisters. It ain't cool to compare or disparage them. It ain't polite.

- Michael Keaton

Brothers, Compare, Polite, Disparage

There are very few jobs where you're held up to public scrutiny.

- Michael Keaton

Very, Public, Held, Scrutiny

Technology, you know. I'm pretty horrible. I use it, but mostly I like to view it from afar. But I'm still fascinated by it.

- Michael Keaton

Pretty, Still, Mostly, Afar

I was so gullible as a kid.

- Michael Keaton

Kid, Gullible

I have a lot of energy, and I move around a lot in my club act.

- Michael Keaton

Act, Move, Lot, Club

I was a really involved dad - not because I'm such a wonderful person. I like being a dad.

- Michael Keaton

Person, Like, Dad, Involved

Anyone can be a celebrity now; this is not a big deal anymore.

- Michael Keaton

Celebrity, Big, Deal, Big Deal

I took my play very seriously, and I got way, way lost in my play world.

- Michael Keaton

Play, Very, Took, Seriously

I don't want dogs that have had the personality trained out of them. It's a partnership. I want to connect.

- Michael Keaton

Personality, Partnership, Connect

I always thought what made 'Beetlejuice' look so great was because it looked like some genius kid made it in his basement.

- Michael Keaton

Thought, Some, Always, Basement

Weirdly, for someone who wanted to be funny, I didn't like a lot of attention.

- Michael Keaton

Someone, Wanted, Lot, Weirdly

I'm just shocked and thankful that I've gotten away with everything - experimenting here, trying at this, failing at that, being good in some things, not so good in others. It's kind of amazing that people are still sticking by me. When they come up to me in the street, I just want to write them all cheques.

- Michael Keaton

Here, Some, Away, Shocked

I had a real strong fantasy life as a kid. But then you grow up and think about real jobs.

- Michael Keaton

Strong, Think, Fantasy, Grow Up

I come from a background where you don't really talk about yourself much.

- Michael Keaton

Come, About, Where, Background

In terms of the parallels, I've never related less to a character than Riggan.

- Michael Keaton

Character, Never, Terms, Related

I liked 'Robocop' because of the director, and it was an intelligent, big-action studio movie.

- Michael Keaton

Director, Movie, Studio, Intelligent

I saw some Pixar movies like 'The Incredibles' and thought, 'This is extraordinary. These are some of the best movies I've seen.'

- Michael Keaton

Thought, Some, Like, Pixar

My brothers were tremendous shack builders. My shacks were horrible. My brothers once built a two-story shack from the ground up that was awesome!

- Michael Keaton

Builders, Brothers, Built, Ground

There is the theory... that you live in two places: You either live in fear, or you live in love.

- Michael Keaton

Love, Places, Either, Theory

Unpredictability means what it means. I don't know how you define it. It is what it is.

- Michael Keaton

It Is What It Is, How, Means, Unpredictability

Actors don't get to be well-known if they're horrible.

- Michael Keaton

Get, Horrible, Well-Known

I choose not to be at the whim of others. I want to be at my own whim.

- Michael Keaton

Want, Own, My Own, Whim

I don't know how to not be outside since I was a little kid.

- Michael Keaton

Kid, Outside, How, Little Kid

One thing my mother had a nose for was inauthenticity.

- Michael Keaton

Mother, One Thing, Had, Nose

I went through a lazy period.

- Michael Keaton

Lazy, Through, Period

I'm a very private person.

- Michael Keaton

Person, Private, Very, Private Person

I didn't go to church all the time, just 'cause I was an antsy kid.

- Michael Keaton

Church, Kid, Go, Antsy

Actors will say 'yes' to anything.

- Michael Keaton

Will, Say, Anything, Yes

I never knew anyone who was cloned, but I played one in 'Multiplicity.'

- Michael Keaton

Never, Knew, Anyone, Multiplicity

I've got six wonderful brothers and sisters.

- Michael Keaton

Wonderful, Brothers, Six

I think one reason I really like women and like working with women is because of my sisters.

- Michael Keaton

Think, Reason, I Think, Sisters

Guys who go on and on about loving women usually don't.

- Michael Keaton

Go, Guys, About, Loving

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