Both Michael Keaton and Diane Keaton are Hollywood stars, but since they share the same last name “Keaton”, many ask- are they related? This curiosity comes as no surprise when you see two actors sharing the same platform with ditto surnames.
While the two have boldly denied having a relationship directly, fans wonder if Michael & Diane could be related in any way- like distant relatives. Moreover, both actors get queries if they are connected to the late silent actor, Buster Keaton. Continue with the article to find out!
Key Takeaways:
- Michael Keaton and Diane Keaton are not related.
- The actors changed their last names for the sake of their respective acting careers.
- Diane’s last name previously was “Hall”, but later took her mother’s maiden name.
- Michael was born with the name, “Douglas” but since there’s already an actor Michael Douglas, he had to change his name.
- Neither Michael nor Diane are related to the late actor, Buster Keaton.
Is Michael Keaton Related To Diane Keaton?
Despite what many might assume, Michael Keaton is not related to Diane Keaton. As a matter of fact, they are far from being each other’s relatives as well.
Interestingly enough, the actors were born with different last names; Diane with “Hall”, and Michael with “Douglas”. They are just two artists who come from different backgrounds, grew differently as actors, and adore each other’s work today.
Nevertheless, both of them being American and sharing the same surname does confuse fans time and again.
Were They Ever In A Relationship?
Fans wonder if not a blood relation, were the two Hollywood stars had a romantic relationship. Well, the answer is a big “No”.
Diane who has had many high-profile datings (except for Michael), is currently single and a mother of two adopted children: Dexter Keaton (b. 1995) and a son Duke Keaton (b. 2000).
On the other, Michael, the Batman actor, is in a relationship with his long-time girlfriend Marni Turner, after divorcing then-wife Caroline McWilliams (m. 1982- div. 1990).
Diane & Michael Have “Keaton” As Their Last Name For Similar Reasons
Both have their own reasons for changing their last names, however, the reason is quite similar- to have their “very own name” in showbiz. Because there was an actor & an actress who were already famous with the birth name they had.
Let’s look at these reasons separately & in detail, shall we?
Diane Took Mother’s Maiden Name
Diane Keaton was born Diane Hall, but when she moved to New York to begin her career as an actress, she had to change her last name. It was because another actress named ‘Diane Hall’ was already going by the same moniker in the Actors’ Equity Association.
So, she chose her mother’s maiden name “Keaton” and has been using it ever since. She’s written about her name change in her autobiography.
“It dawned on me I could keep it all in the family by using mom’s maiden name: Keaton. Diane Keaton.”
Michael Changed His Name As Another Actor Was Already Using His Original Moniker
Before Michael added the surname “Keaton” to his original name Michael Douglas, he had double thoughts about his professional moniker. Since, there were two persons going with that very name, an actor and a late singer, he had to change his name.
The Beetlejuice actor, set to reprise his title role in Beetlejuice 2 (set to release on September 6, 2024), talked about how he found out his current last name in an interview with People.
According to the actor himself, he picked his name “on a whim.” Furthermore, during the interview, he said,
“I was just in the K’s in the alphabet, and I thought, ‘It’s close enough'”.
What’s Michael’s Relationship With The Late Actor, Buster Keaton?
There’s no relationship between Michael Keaton and the late actor, Buster Keaton. Like in the case of Diane, because of the same last moniker, these actors have also been thought to have some kind of relationship. But, it is safe to say that they are not relatives at all.
If you want to know a little about Buster; he was an actor, comedian, director, and stuntman, best known for “silent films”. He passed away in 1966 at the age of 70.
Also Read:
Diane Has Confused Fans Regarding Her Relation With Buster
Around January 2023, Diane Keaton shared a clip of Buster Keaton on her Instagram. This, in turn, left all her fans bewildered. All they could think about was the relations Diane might have with the late silent film actor.
View this post on Instagram
But, truth be told, she is also not related to Buster. There’s no familial relationship between the actors. Perhaps, Keaton could be his big fan.
