Michael Keaton Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters | GQ
Michael Keaton breaks down his most iconic roles from films, including 'Batman,' 'Beetlejuice,' 'Mr. Mom,' 'Multiplicity,' 'Spider-Man: Homecoming,' 'Much Ado About Nothing,' 'Birdman,' 'Spotlight,' 'Knox Goes Away,' 'Clean and Sober' and 'Night Shift.'
Director: Joe Pickard
Director of Photography: Grant Bell
Editor: Robby Massey
Talent: Michael Keaton
Producer: Kristen DeVore
Line Producer: Jen Santos
Production Manager: James Pipitone
Production Coordinator: Elizabeth Hymes
Talent Booker: Meredith Judkins
Camera Operator: Nick Massey
Gaffer: Lucas Vilicich
Sound Mixer: Cassiano Pereira
Production Assistant: Liza Antonova; Shenelle Jones
Post Production Supervisor: Rachael Knight
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Supervising Editor: Rob Lombardi
Assistant Editor: Fynn Lithgow
00:00 Michael Keaton's Iconic Characters
00:19 Batman
03:48 Beetlejuice
07:00 Mr. Mom
10:20 Multiplicity
15:17 Spider-Man: Homecoming
17:13 Much Ado About Nothing
20:01 Birdman
24:06 Spotlight
26:40 Knox Goes Away
29:54 Clean and Sober
33:14 Night Shift
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This guy's career is so extensive this should be at least two parts.
I'm already waiting for Part 2 of this one.
I'm with you. They need part 2
Where's the Dream Team!?!?!?!
Dude I had no idea he was Beetlejuice. Just found out & I'm shocked.
one of his classic.Cannot wait for part 2 this fall @@John-X
Michael's batman really stood out, He made it his own
He was badly miscast. People love it bc it was the first dark take on Batman so he’ll always have that. But if you go back and rewatch it now there’s some cringy moments - pretty much his whole Bruce Wayne and the grin Batman has when Napier says “nice outfit.” Also 90% of the time, it’s not Keaton in the Batman suit. It’s either Dave Lea or mostly Carl Newman…
@@Chad_Max WRONNGG!!
@@Chad_Max I actually like his Bruce Wayne the best. I liked that his version of Bruce was a bit of a weird loner who was a bit of a shut in.
@@Chad_Max and yet millions of people love him....sorry dude sometimes opinions can be wrong XD
@@Chad_Maxcorrect
I've watched several of these " X breaks down his most iconic roles" and this is the first time the actor ACTUALLY breaks down the roles. Most of the time they just keep saying what a great experience it was and how talented was everyone around them. Great actor and great video.
Ed Norton too
It still blows my mind that he is both Batman and Beetlejuice. He is a fantastic, and very underrated actor.
Underrated? You must be young
@@erik2KonasisPeople love using that word "underrated" and not knowing what it even means
@@austin7815Nah you and that idiot on the top are both dumb kids lol
AND JACK FROST! Talk about range!
He's one of the most incredible actors on the planet.
Keaton’s characters in “Jackie Brown”, “The Other Guys”, “The Founder”, “Pacific Heights”, “Johnny Dangerously” “Jack Frost”, “The Paper”, “Dopesick”, “Toy Story 3”, The Trial of the Chicago 7”, and “Cars” also deserve a mention.
Loved Jack Frost
He's so funny in The Other Guys 😂
You forgot Gung Ho, it's hilarious.
I always forget that he was in Jacky Brown.
The paper is such an underrated movie.
He is one of the most underrated actors ever imo. He deserves way more credit then he gets. Such a legend.
Honestly, yeah
He’s not underrated loser
He was never underrated.
Mr Keaton looking great for 72
really!!?? wow, go keaton
White Noise, Gung Ho, Jack Frost, Cars, Toy Story, Johnny Dangerously… this *NEEDS* a part 2!
Jack Frost is one of my faves!
The best is captain gene in the other guys!
Johnny Dangerously! yes!
These Fargging iceholes!!!
White noise Jack Frost my favorite of his movies
He will ALWAYS be my Batman!
Always
He’s my Batman… Forever…❤
When he did the Flash, that really cemented him as being the BEST Batman.
Easily.
Always
His range is terribly underrated. Truly one of the great actors actor
Yeah his range is absolutely insane.
Indeed soo
I think Multiplicity is criminally under rated and under watched. The way he plays the three main versions of the same character (plus the special one) is just brilliant.
He’s anything but underrated
He was never underrated. Not ever.
Nice to hear him talk so proudly about Batman, he's the best
He didnt seem proud at all lol
One of the most underrated actors for over 4 decades. Always got snubbed at the award shows until birdman.
Underrated? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
What is it with this obsession over the word "underrated" with some people? Not once was Keaton underrated. Not ever.
His batman is just iconic
Him or Bale as best Batman usually depends on my mood at the time
Wrong
@@tremere47oh he’s way better than Bale. Not even close
he's Keatonic.
@@gbrogo7139 Bale was a great Bruce Wayne. But the direction on him being Batman did him dirty tbh.
He is a National Treasure. His comedy is underrated and he is a brilliant actor and comedic genius!
Yes, he is a national treasure. Time for AFI, the Kennedy Center, and the Academy to recognize him.
Underrated by who? 😂
@@tizyman5582 Hollywood and people who don't buzz about him
Please, will your generation just stop using the word "underrated." It's so generic and played out for an actor who was never underrated.
I love how when he said “Batman” as the first title, he did it in his Batman voice. He’s the best live action Batman. Period.
Yeah, and it's not even close. Bale was great but, but Keaton is light years ahead of every other Batman.
@@Gaviid I don't think we've ever had a "bad" live action Batman. (Even Clooney was a great Bruce Wayne and Kilmer was a decent Batman) But none of them (even Ben Affleck and I loved his performances also) come close to Keaton.
I agree, but as I said above, he set the bar the other batmen aspired to.
@@InfluenceFilms I'm glad to hear someone else sees that. Honestly the Schumacher films were very much the Star Trek Voyager of Batman. They weren't garbage, they were _deliberately refusing to live up to their potential in pursuit of a lowbrow audience._ The potential was there, the performers were great. and Clooney's the only guy til Affleck who actually has anything resembling the look of Bruce Wayne. Obviously you don't just put looks first, but still
He was perfect. Deep, angry, heroic, sad.
I forgot how much I love this guy. His Batman will always be the best IMO, he's great in every movie he does and seems like a genuinely solid guy.
I don't think I've heard him be himself this much before. I think he's quieter and more thoughtful than i expected.
That’s how he always is.
It’s interesting to me that he can go play loud, crazy characters like Beetlejuice, Batman, or Vulture, despite the fact that he does seem to be quieter, calmer, and yes, more thoughtful by nature in real life. What an awesome actor and what an amazing guy! 😁
I watch a lot of these in this series and this is probably my new favorite.
Keaton was a comedian turned acting genius! 👏👏👏
No growly voice needed
DC fans in the 80s lost their minds when he was cast as Batman but now his version is iconic
Similar to Ledger being cast as the Joker for "The Dark Knight": there was SUCH backlash against it. And then people saw the performance.
@@BF...there was absolutely backlash before any formal press release of TDK came out that his announcement as The Joker was not welcomed by fans. It wasn’t until the very first photo reveal of the close-up of his face in the makeup/prosthetics that people started backtracking their statements.
@@BF...Lies, child.
You can still read the comments over internet. I never seen anything that toxic. I wonder how these people feel now. @@RikkiOcampo
how times change.
He’s such an Everyman that it’s easy to forget how iconic he truly is.
To this day I cannot fathom how he didn't win the Oscar for Birdman. Everyone will remember that performance. Most people have already forgotten who won it.
So glad they didn't leave out Multiplicity. Such an underrated movie.
And hardly anyone talks about it. Virtually forgotten.
Agreed! We quote Multiplicity to this day! 😂
@@havedogwilltravel Hi Steve!
@@keyman6689 we're gonna eat a dolphin 🤣
@@havedogwilltravel Well, so much for rule number one!
He has a career that most actors dream of. He started as a comedian and ended up being one of the most versatile actors of his generation
So happy he discussed Night Shift an absolute classic. Need a part 2 and talk about The Paper, Gung Ho and Game 7 as well as his part in Jackie Brown.
Props to the editor. I know this had to be a hard thing to cut. Keaton is such a fast thinker and talker and can go all over the place. I could listen to him for hours but I know they had to make this thing around 30 minutes.
Surprised "The Founder" wasn't mentioned. He played the part of Ray Kroc perfectly.
That movie is a farce
So perfectly
Let’s be real, Keaton deserves a part 2.
He nailed playing a shady character.
I wholeheartedly agree with you. What a performance and film
His role in Birdman was so touching. Outstanding performance.
I was so amazed by him in that role
Agree. Really wanted him to win.
@@amariebloom thanks for sharing that. 😘
@@jayr3053 yes I asked myself: what else can you do further for winning an Oscar?? But he won us. People who can enjoy a real talent.
worst movie i EVER saw!!!!
Keaton is a true multi generational gift that I'll always treasure. He was such a pivotal figure in my, and many others childhood. He has such appreciation for what he did, and we appreciate him for it. Thank you, mighty sir!
Infinitely talented, legitimately iconic, and genuinely humble. Keaton is the personification of integrity.
A rare and dying breed
His performance in Clean & Sober is easily Oscar Worthy! He should have gotten Nominated.
Especially since he did Clean & Sober and Beetlejuice the same year.
@@LeilaniYamada Actors that can do comedy usually can do drama, but a lot of dramatic actors stink at comedy.
Agreed.
Clean and Sober got him the Bruce Wayne role.
Agreed Keaton's not done yet though. Look forward to seeing what he's gonna do in the future.
After 36 years, Beetlejuice finally had his sit down with GQ haha
This really highlights what range he has. Under-appreciated talent. Would’ve loved for him to talk about the car scene in Spiderman when he realizes Pete is Spiderman and threatens him. For all of the universe-destroying villainy in the MCU, no character has ever been more menacing than Keaton was in that scene.
This is the BEST GQ iconic Characters interview I’ve seen. Keaton gives the Best insight into these roles 😊
His portrayal of Batman was so impactful to me that we named our son Keaton after him. Recently, we rewatched Jack Frost, and I would've liked to have him speak to it here, that movie makes us cry everytime. but it's still a great (and my favorite to date) interview.
Beetlejuice, Mr Mom, Multiplicity... Michale Keaton deserves reassessment as a comedic actor on par with the best to ever do it.
The other guys!
@@jonathanrobinson6240 He's hilarious in that. A police captain moonlighting at Bed, Bath & Beyond.
Birdman
Johnny Dangerously
I mean tbh the perception of him being something other than a comedy guy is a really new thing. Relatively of course
Teri Garr - so truly underrated! One of the best actresses. Loved her in Young Frankenstein. Sweet of him to mention her.
need a second video with how extensive and amazing Keaton's career is.
I quote Beetlejuice all the time. He’s brilliant in it. His comedy is highly underrated. He can carry a scene.
But have you seen it a hundred and sixty seven times?
@@lrrroftheplanetomicronpersei8and it keeps gettin funnier!
@@theatre721every single time you see it?!
YOU DONT NEED TO TALK TO BARBARA!
Because you're working with a professional here.??
THIS is the quality we need in new acting. Genuine love of the craft & talent, with the humbleness to pull it off.
Birdman is a masterpiece. Keaton was mesmerizing at every scene. His best performance ever (deserved an Oscar, won a Golden Globe).
worst movie, Eye ever saw!!!
Such amazing actor !
My earliest memory of watching Mr. Keaton is in Mr. Mom when he gets into the fight with the vacuum cleaner and then later has it on remote control. It was one of the first times I remember laughing out loud in a movie theater. I went with my mom (I was 11 or 12) who was always a working mom (Teacher and Administrator for many years) and I distinctly remember her crying she was laughing so hard. So, if you read this Mr. Keaton. You made my mom cry...and it was awesome. Thank you.
Yes. My parents took my siblings and I to see that. As I watched it through the years it got funnier. I love the soap opera dream. Before that he worked on the set of Mr. Rodgers.
220, 221, whatever it takes
Birdman is a masterpiece.
I just saw it for the first time last week. I like it when a movie can really mess with your mind for 2 hours straight.
and batman '89
Agreed
The more interviews I see with Keaton the more I love him. Always the first to credit the screenwriter and his fellow actors, no ego at all, amazing comic actor.
The Dream Team is an underrated Keaton gem
What a legend. Everything he’s done.
And he's not done.
“220, 221….whatever it takes “ Still one of my favorite movie lines 😂
You aren’t a dude if you haven’t used that line while fixing something 😂
lol my husband quotes this haha
Starts chainsaw …. Vroooooom!!!
What did you use, a .38?
Keaton is one of the GOATs, his comedic chops are hugely underrated. His role in 'Clear HIstory' is pure genius. Also what ever happened to Multiplicity? Another underrated gem.
For me, The Dream Team and Gung Ho, are still some of my favorites of his. And The Dream Team, which I feel is underrated, had an amazing cast.
I have met two guys who played Batman. One before the role and the other after. Keaton had played the role a decade before when I accidently met him at an industry party. He was immediately recognizable. When He started to speak with me I was surprised. He is like your next door neighbor in person. Just the nicest guy, not a star at all. Very polite guy and funny.
Interesting implication by omission.
Thats because of where he was born and raised: PITTSBURGH!
I’ve loved him since the early’80s. He’s brilliant at both comedy and drama. What a legend!
Easily one of my all-time favorite actors. I grew up watching his films in the 80's and 90's, and had he retired at that point, he'd still be considered among the finest male actors of his generation. But he continued with one memorable role after another, and he continues to this day with remarkable, subtle, dynamic, intelligent performances, each of which help establish him as one of the all-time greats.
Are we gonna ignore how he aged so wel still looks early 40s
Keaton is like Costner
Mr. MOM And GUNG HO was wat ahead of its time. Beetlejuice and batman were iconic
Him and his TLC quotes in The Other Guys
“Don’t go chasing waterfalls!” 😂😂😂😂
Sorry to see this isn't in there!
"What's TLC? I don't know what you're talking about."
“I don’t understand the reference”
The bit where he breaks up the fight at the funeral and they're all whispering always gets me 😂
Such a talented actor, wish could see another Tim Burton and Keaton Batman.
So glad you included clean and sober. As a 35yr recovering addict and 20yr addiction counselor, this movie was great. I show it to all my clients.
I loved listening to Mr Keaton discussing these iconic roles and his process. Despite all his major success, for me it's "Nightshift". I absolutely love him in that movie. I had no idea who he was and loved him immediately. I will now watch him in anything just to watch his genius.
I just rewatched it recently. It still makes me laugh. 😊
@@vhagertyit really is funny and Keaton is brilliant. Henry Winkler is also great, successfully losing the Fonz image. He is loveable and funny. The soundtrack is also fantastic. I think this is one of Ron Howard's most underrated movies.
LOOOVE BROKERS!!!!!
The greatest thing about it is the fact that actors make you truly believe they're different characters in every film he's ever been in.
The older generation of actors yeah This new generation feel like they play the same characters in everything
@@itzbp9949 as if Robert Deniro ever played a character that wasn't Robert Deniro.
Well, yes. That’s their job.
Beetle juice is better
@@itzbp9949 uh.. tom cruise? the king of playing the same person every role
Seriously love him. He’s honestly so humble for how incredible of actor he is. So excited for Beetlejuice 2. I wish him the best, I hope he knows he’s loved 🥹🥹
He actually does break down his characters. Loved it.
Mr Mom is one of my favorites. Laugh my way through it every time, and I reference “220, 221, whatever it takes” every time it fits into conversation.
He's the most underrated versatile actor. He pulled off parts he had no business pulling off. The guys amazing
He’s not underrated kid
Crazy how before Batman he was known as Mr Mom and one year later now he is known as Batman forever
Underrated actor, BIG TIME!! Hes the lead in some of my most favorite movies EVER! I liked his Batman the best! It kept the feel of the comic books! Bravo, Mr. Keaton!!!
Multiplicity is soooooooo underrated!!!
You don't even know the word underrated means
@@WildlifeWarrior-cr1kk explain succinctly how I don’t understand.
@@WildlifeWarrior-cr1kk yeah that’s what I thought.
Everyone forgets about Johnny Dangerously. Most underrated role.
My sister skipped that movie once. ONCE.
Yoooo, I forgot about this movie, he was GREAT in it!!
Buncha fardgin iceholes
Hahahaha I love that movie!!! He's so great in it!
Stop saying underrated!! Omg!
His Batman wasn't very close to comic Batman, but later influenced comic Batman. That's the mark of a great adaptation, I also like how sophisticated and resourceful his Batman felt, he had everything he needed but it was rarely too convenient.
I remember watching 'Mr. Mom' when I was 10, and it really stuck with me. It was like a crash course in being a fun dad. Seeing how he handled things with humor and warmth taught me a lot about what kind of parent I wanted to be. Funny how a movie can stick with you like that.
He really did bring batman back after the 70's Adam West series. It felt so much more real at the time.
It was the movie that reinvigorated superhero genre.
*60’s
@@themadmattster9647 My bad, while it was on tv growing up I didn't know when it first ran. Cheers.
Loved Beetlejuice.. can't wait for the sequel!
Sequel? 🤯
@@gx3mzyesssss
@@gx3mztrailers up
@@gx3mzcomes out this summer. There is a trailer
@@gx3mzYes, it comes out this fall.
I am watching this on Easter weekend and I just remembered he did an Easter skit on SNL that is super funny. I'm going to go watch that again. But this reminds me that he can act in anything, whether big or small, and make it memorable.
His brilliance really comes thru here. Such a multi-faceted talent. I've always been impressed with every one of his roles, and beneath that, just a cool, likable guy.
He was always the love of my life!!!❤
All the movies that are mentioned below but not included in this interview are a testament to how many iconic characters Keaton has portrayed in his life. One of the greats whose mark will last forever.
Keaton is 100% best Batman for me
I second that!
“My Life” was the first time I cried in a movie theatre. The sequence on the rollercoaster just got me.
One of the most underrated actors of all time. Legend
The Shrunken Head in Beetlejuice makes me laugh every time 😂
That’s it?
I like the "Nice F**kin Model" kicks tree over 🤣🤣🤣
This is probably my favorite episode. I could listen to him talk all day about his career and the craft.
I appreciate that he loved doing multiplicity that was such an underated comedy....so funny He has so iconic movies for some of us older kids even if they arent considered great
I really want to see the unedited version of this interview, I bet it’s at least an hour longer
My Life, The Founder, Pacific Heights, etc....He is a force of nature in acting.
What did you expect? He's Batman.
My Life is the saddest movie I’ve ever seen. Super ugly cry! Underrated actor on all sides
Johnny Dangerously! So many people haven't seen it. 😊
You are correct! These 3 other movies are excellent too!
i was hoping someone else mentioned My Life, i remember being emotionally drained watching it as a kid, maybe thats why im such an empath now.
Keaton first came on my radar via Night Shift; he was fantastic. I've got to watch that film again.
So many of his movies were pinnacles of my childhood even though I was only born in '97, he really is that important of an actor that he transcends generations and can be enjoyed by everyone. Truly an artist.
Really wonderful to hear this. The one thing I would have really liked to have heard is him talk about Game 6. It's one of my favorite films of his and it gets almost no press.
Johnny Dangerously Was one of my favourite films of the 80s Keaton was amazing in that.
The energy he brought to Jackie brown made him one of my favourite Tarantino characters
I was looking to see if any mentioned Jackie Brown. Thank you!
Keaton looks amazing! He’s aging so well
Keaton’s character in much ado is one of his most iconic roles for me.
I know they can't cover all of his roles but hearing about Dopesick would have been great.
100%
One of the most underrated actors out there. Incredible range, he pulls off comedy as well as action and drama. Another underrated movie he did which is not mentioned here is Desperate measures with Andy Garcia. He plays the villain and does it really well.
Tbf that movie is pretty terrible but he almost saved it - not really though.
@@crrntvntsnthnlnftnsscmmntywhy is everybody so infatuated with the word “underrated” these days!!??
Him and Ed Harris for me are two if the greatest and most underrated actors
@@crrntvntsnthnlnftnsscmmnty Keaton is not underrated, he might not be an A-lister but that doesn’t mean he’s underrated. He’s considered the best Batman actor, Beetlejuice is an iconic character as well as quite a few other roles of his. I don’t know what everybody’s obsession with the word “underrated” is but it’s very weird, not to mention annoying
@@nsasupporter7557 I'm not sure why you're tagging me, twice in 24 hours?
So many gems.. the stories too.
I think this may be the best one of these yet. This guy knows and loves his craft.
What I love about these videos is listening to actors talk about their favourite movies or scripts and discovering films I've never heard of, like Mr. Mom...
My heart is pounding by the minute to see him reprise his role as Beetlejuice.
Glad they brought up Clean & Sober. Amazing film and it's so hard to find.
Nobody is talking about the incredible movies of Mr Mom and Multiplicity. Excellent movies!! 👌
I'm so glad he spoke about multiplicity...that's such an underrated movie
Thank you so much for asking him about spotlight. Probably one my all time favorites
Micheal is my favorite Batman❤
Loved his character "Colonel Gene" in The Other Guys too! "I'm getting my son through college so he can explore his bisexuality", "Don't go chasing waterfalls."