Michael Keaton is a versatile actor who has excelled in roles ranging from comedy to drama to action. Keaton’s career has spanned over four decades, and his flexibility has earned him a special place in Hollywood and widespread acclaim worldwide. Keaton, a native of Pittsburgh, has won and been nominated for multiple awards including a Primetime Emmy, two Golden Globes, and an Academy Award. France honored him with the title of Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters in 2016.
Early gigs on series like Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and The Mary Tyler Moore Hour helped Keaton get a foothold in the entertainment industry. In the 1982 Ron Howard-directed sitcom Night Shift, Keaton found widespread success, and a lead role in the 1983 smash comedy Mr. Mom followed. Keaton’s portrayal of Batman/Bruce Wayne in Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) showed that he wasn’t just a comedic actor. His portrayal of the Dark Knight received high praise for its blend of mystery, charm, and darkness. The part became one of his most recognizable and solidified his place in the annals of superhero cinema.
Even in his later years in the industry, Keaton has shown no signs of slowing down. His humorous or tragic characters always succeed in keeping things fresh and engaging. Without further ado, here are ten of his most memorable performances.
Mr. Mom (1983)
The 1980s comedy classic Mr. Mom marked a watershed moment in pop culture by bringing attention to the shifting nature of the American family. Michael Keaton’s portrayal of Jack Butler, an ordinary man thrust into the unexpected role of stay-at-home father, was central to the picture. The Mr. Mom comedic events begin when auto engineer Jack loses his job due to the recession. When Jack’s wife, Caroline (Teri Garr), gets a good job at an advertising firm, he has to take care of his three kids independently.
Jack initially feels like a fish out of water in a world where he must deal with vacuum cleaners, soap operas, and parent-teacher conferences. Keaton does a fantastic job of showing how Jack goes from being a clumsy, clueless rookie to an independent, self-assured housekeeper. Keaton’s acting, however, goes much beyond the typical slapstick routine. In his role as Jack, he investigates the inner life of a guy suffering from emasculation and loneliness after leaving the workforce.
Jackie Brown (1997)
In the 1997 crime drama Jackie Brown, directed by Quentin Tarantino, Michael Keaton plays ATF agent Ray Nicolette. Famous novelist Elmore Leonard’s novel served as inspiration for this picture. Keaton’s portrayal of Ray Nicolette, a supporting character in a film whose primary focus is on Pam Grier’s lead role as an airline hostess embroiled in a scheme to launder money for an arms dealer, is a highlight. Ray Nicolette, a law enforcement officer, monitors Jackie’s association with criminals throughout the film.
Keaton’s Nicolette comes across as an aggressive, self-assured agent who isn’t beyond breaking the rules a little bit if the circumstance calls for it. In supporting roles, the cast also includes Robert Forster, Bridget Fonda, Samuel L. Jackson, and Robert De Niro. Forster received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, and Jackson and Grier earned Golden Globe nods.
The Paper (1994)
Michael Keaton, Glenn Close, Marisa Tomei, Randy Quaid, and Robert Duvall feature in The Paper, a comedy-drama film directed by Ron Howard. The film follows a newspaper editor through a hectic day at the office and home as the murder of two businessmen in a parked car in New York City dominates the headlines.
In the middle of professional, personal, and financial upheaval, the reporters uncover a police cover-up of proof suggesting the juvenile suspects in jail are innocent and rush to scoop the story. Everyman hero Henry Hackett (Michael Keaton) is always on the go, chasing down leads, verifying sources, and trying to grab the scoop before his competition does. He’s a reporter torn between his desire to do honest reporting and the realities of working at a sensationalist newspaper.
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
Michael Keaton’s portrayal of former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark in Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020) is brief but remarkable. The real-life events surrounding the arrest and subsequent Trial of seven anti-war demonstrators during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago inspire this political drama. Keaton’s Ramsey Clark is honest and upright, seeking justice without compromise.
Critics lauded the performances, Sorkin’s script, the cinematography, the editing, and the present comparisons to the 1960s in The Trial of the Chicago 7. At the 93rd Academy Awards, six awards were up for grabs thanks to the success of the film, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor for Sacha Baron Cohen. In addition to its three nods at the 27th Screen Actors Guild Awards and one win for Best Screenplay at the 78th Golden Globes, the film also got five nods at the prestigious Golden Globes.
Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
As Constable Dogberry in Kenneth Branagh’s 1993 version of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, Michael Keaton delivers some of the film’s most hilarious lines as the comically inept character provides some of the picture’s most memorable comedic moments. Keaton effortlessly captures the naiveté and zealousness of his role with his untidy appearance and expressive mannerisms.
Dogberry’s efforts to uncover the evil plot against Hero (Kate Beckinsale), one of the film’s main protagonists, indicate this. Despite his lack of skill, Dogberry’s amateurish attempts to expose the villainous Don John (Keanu Reeves) ultimately succeed. The film also stars Robert Sean Leonard, Denzel Washington, and Emma Thompson. Much Ado About Nothing ranks among Shakespeare’s best in terms of box-office success.
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
In Alejandro González Iñárritu’s critically acclaimed film Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), Michael Keaton gives a career-defining performance as Riggan Thomson. Thomson is a washed-up Hollywood actor who tries to revive his career by directing and acting in a Broadway play. Insecurities, desperation, and a healthy dose of ego make Riggan Thomson a fascinating and multifaceted protagonist. As his fame from playing the legendary superhero “Birdman” wanes, he struggles with the ghosts of his past romances and professional failures.
As opening night approaches, Riggan fights internal conflicts and the need to prove himself as a serious actor and director. The film’s script, directing, photography, and performances (especially those of Keaton, Norton, and Stone) were all praised by critics. After receiving nine nominations, Birdman won the Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Cinematography. Keaton won Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy at the 72nd Golden Globes, while the film also won Best Screenplay and Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture.
Night Shift (1982)
Bill “Blaze” Blazejowski, played by Michael Keaton in the 1982 Ron Howard comedy “Night Shift,” is an unstoppable schemer who, after hours, turns a New York City morgue into a brothel. Keaton’s comedic prowess was displayed in this role, marking the beginning of a long and fruitful Hollywood career.
Bill Blazejowski is a fast-talking, hyperactive entrepreneur who always comes up with crazy new ideas for his company. Chuck Lumley, played by Henry Winkler, is a mild-mannered, straight-laced businessman who becomes Bill’s unwilling business partner. Bill, on the other hand, is exuberant and borderline psychotic. Keaton’s portrayal of Blazejowski strikes the ideal balance between strangeness, charm, and comedic timing, making him a one-of-a-kind and unforgettable figure.
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Adapted from the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man and directed by Jon Watts, Spider-Man: Homecoming is the second most successful Spider-Man film and the sixth highest-grossing film of 2017. Michael Keaton, Jon Favreau, Gwyneth Paltrow, Zendaya, Donald Glover, Marisa Tomei, and Robert Downey Jr. star, with Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man.
Michael Keaton portrays the Vulture, Adrian Toomes. A regular guy at first, Adrian Toomes runs a salvage company that picks up the pieces after superhero clashes in New York City. After a new government agency takes over the cleanup, Toomes turns to illegal means of supporting his family. The term “Vulture” comes from his high-tech flying suit, which he dons to become his alter ego.
Spotlight (2015)
Tom McCarthy’s Spotlight, released in 2015, stars Michael Keaton as Walter “Robby” Robinson, the head of The Boston Globe’s Spotlight investigative journalism team. Based on actual events, the team investigates allegations of child molestation within the local Catholic Archdiocese and eventually uncovers a big scandal, including cover-ups.
Walter Robinson is a hard-working journalist who will not rest until he has revealed the truth, even if that means taking on one of Boston’s most influential organizations.
Robinson, as the leader of the Spotlight team, is responsible for directing the investigation and balancing the various personalities that make up his squad. Spotlight earned multiple guild and critics organization awards, was called one of the finest films of 2015 by numerous publications, and gained critics’ praise for its cast’s performances, historical accuracy, and storyline.
Batman (1989)
Tim Burton’s Batman is the first installment in Warner Bros.’s original Batman film series. Michael Keaton plays Bruce Wayne/Batman, and the film also features Jack Nicholson and Kim Basinger. Before settling on Keaton, the producers tested several actors for the role of Batman. Many critics questioned Keaton’s ability to take a serious part as he had become so closely associated with comedy at the time.
However, Keaton’s portrayal of Bruce Wayne’s inner turmoil and Batman’s metamorphosis brought new heights to the superhero film genre. Batman earned over $400 million at the box office and was well-received by critics. The performances of Nicholson and Keaton and Burton’s direction earned rave reviews from critics and moviegoers alike. At its release, it had the sixth-largest worldwide gross of all time.