Michael Keaton on Creating “Beetlejuice” (Dec. 24, 2014) | Charlie Rose

In a wide-ranging conversation about his career and his new film, “Birdman,” Michael Keaton talked to Charlie Rose about working with Tim Burton on the classic film “Beetlejuice,” and how he created the character’s distinctive look. Watch the full interview at www.charlierose.com.
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About Charlie Rose:
Emmy award winning journalist Charlie Rose has been praised as "one of America's premier interviewers." He is the host of Charlie Rose, the nightly PBS program that engages America's best thinkers, writers, politicians, athletes, entertainers, business leaders, scientists and other newsmakers. USA Today calls Charlie Rose, "TV's most addictive talk show." New York Newsday says, "Charlie's show is the place to get engaging, literate conversation... Bluntly, he is the best interviewer around today."
Michael Keaton on Creating “Beetlejuice” (Dec. 24, 2014) | Charlie Rose
/ charlierose

[@five5x]

I use to watch Beetlejuice every day after school. Still, to this day it's my favourite movie.

[@bobbob-sv4mk]

five5x good clean classic 80s humor. The villain was evil but funny. The victims were aloof but well meaning.

[@The_Chameleon]

I use to watch Beetlejuice cartoon too when i was a kid

[@Charisonic_558]

So, to quote him. You've seen beetlejuice about 167 times! And it keeps getting funnier, every single time you see it!

[@MrParkerman6]

Not to mention you're talking to a dead guy!

[@romybobby]

Same here my favorite movie. Number 1 😎

[@mattbernabe]

One of those time's where Tim Burton thankfully didn't just offer the role of Beetlejuice to another actor right after Keaton refused it. No one else could have done this role as brilliantly as Keaton.

[@shaymary5247]

He's so versatile! He did Batman 1 & 2, Multiplicity, this, & more!! He's very legendary. 💜😋🪐

[@jakep1979]

I dont know it would have been classic with Nicholas Cage as well 🤣

[@Flip86x]

When a director has someone in their sights for a role they are usually very persistent. Tarantino was the same way with Bruce Willis for Pulp Fiction.

[@leavemealoha]

I had no idea that Michael played such a large role in the physical appearance of Beetlejuice (not the physicality but the costuming and makeup). The hair, the grimy and moldy pale skin, and nasty teeth are ICONIC to Beetlejuice. I love how he was so deep into his character that he could visual the Beetlejuice's whole being in his head, despite his initial struggles to grasp the "idea" of him

[@JacquelineRoseSchlegel]

Yes he’s great

[@allthingshome6953]

Keaton is a GENIUS. This movie is a part of my childhood. My fondest memories of family time IS this movie. The things you hold dear years later. Its amazing how much impact a movie can have on your life. I still watch Beetlejuice to this day. I honestly feel Keaton gave an Oscar worthy performance here.

[@rickwaters3592]

Yes this & Multiplicity r the best

[@shaymary5247]

Indeed!!! 💚

[@squamish4244]

All those years when you have no idea who actually even might have won Best Actor but you can definitely remember the best role.

[@ryansutherland4801]

Glad to see Keaton as a relevant Actor again after so many years, and to come back with Birdman... Always loved this guy.

[@greato80]

..you should watch him in The Company, if u havent..that performance what brought him back in my opinion.

[@solezeta1314]

@@greato80 What film are you talking about?

[@greato80]

@@solezeta1314 ..there was a TNT miniseries called The Company. It's about cold war spying and CIA. Its really good.

[@solezeta1314]

@@greato80 Okay, I believe you.

[@youtubestealspoorpeoplespr2105]

The movie was called Batman. Keaton played Batman

[@klyzn]

He aged well.

[@charliegreer2691]

Agreed

[@randomrachel7049]

klyzn that's exactly what I told myself! :)

[@stevenbess4415]

He lived through the Bubonic Plague...

[@MrParkerman6]

...and he had a pretty good time during that!

[@sungods-fh1xu]

Batman!

[@TayyabKhalil]

One of the greatest actors! Keaton is a cinematic gold!

[@jeffj2495]

A creative experiment became an amazing blockbuster. Sometimes you have to take a risk. Their risk paid off with a hugely memorable movie.

[@jasonhylnd001]

little children on here can't appreciate the beauty of Michael Keaton.

[@kavonnewman1229]

I am 9 so that is a lie

[@kavonnewman1229]

@Shannon Legg Beetlejuice and Batman but I don’t know which Batman movie because they are all great

[@user-rd2lv6fx7m]

well i like michael keaton when i was a little until now

[@rigsby1454]

ITS SHOWTIME

[@jamesmarie33]

He’s really handsome 😍😍

[@camerontaylor7471]

I agree, I found myself oddly attracted to him, some people just have that vibe

[@satob7690]

Yes he is, still. Always have been good looking.

[@jerramaurice7836]

He also made a real sexy Batman

[@Redmist-se7ld]

He made the character beetlejuice memorable and funny

[@solezeta1314]

It's fun to see him as Beetlejuice: obnoxious, rude, perverted and crazy and now we see him as calm and humble in real life.

[@MikeJohnson-xw9ig]

After listening to this interview I have even more respect for Mr. Keaton. In my humble opinion the best Batman. Mr. Keaton is unique and true to himself and his art. In Pacific Heights he was also outstanding and gave a chilling performance. Great interview thanks!

[@jesiamendoza844]

This song is about Beetlejuice! Soo cool!👏kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5i5kH2XZ82GmJY

[@cooperwolfe5478]

I feel the same way about Michael Keaton. He is undoubtedly my favorite actor of all time. I don’t know if you’re a fan of Pixar movies, but he was in two Pixar movies. And let’s be honest he should’ve won an Oscar for Birdman. He just seems like a great guy, and he’s just played so many great characters and I’m sure you’ve seen every one of his films, but if you haven’t seen Johnny Dangerously I would definitely recommend it.

[@spoonface9698]

Thank goodness. Beetlejuice is a cult classic and one of my FAVORITE movies ever!

[@crazyvillainfan4877]

To this day I still admire him in everything he's in. A top 10 favorite actor overall in my opinion

[@joycegibbs5267]

such an underrated actor IMO. Incredible in Beetlejuice. Well everything I've seen him in.

[@dfcvda]

I love this guy and Beetlejuice is probably in my top five favourite films.

[@jesiamendoza844]

This song is about Beetlejuice! Soo cool!👏kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5i5kH2XZ82GmJY

[@tindepapp]

Simply a good actor a magnificent man, respect

[@jesiamendoza844]

This song is about Beetlejuice! Soo cool!👏kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5i5kH2XZ82GmJY

[@russell5078084]

I can't imagine anyone topping his performance as beetlejuice if they did a remake. Which I hope they don't.

[@MrParkerman6]

They arent doing a remake. They are doing a sequel with him as beetlejuice.

[@xXIn5aneClownxX]

@@MrParkerman6 they keep saying that I sure hope it's gonna happen

[@jesiamendoza844]

This song is about Beetlejuice! Soo cool!👏kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5i5kH2XZ82GmJY

[@itsthemaggieshow]

They made a musical with Alex Brightman, he’s pretty good but also different

[@MsAliciaRL]

@@itsthemaggieshow Alex is REALLY good with his interpretation of BJ. He's like a dead Deadpool.

[@kristagreen5961]

Michael just kicks ass as Beetlejuice. They definitely chose the right guy to play him

[@JacquelineRoseSchlegel]

Can’t wait for the 2nd one

[@TommyLellan]

I don’t think he finished a single sentence there.

[@cdreidp]

That's how he talks 😂

[@pam0626]

Tommy Lellan All of his interviews are like this. It’s hard to follow his thoughts.

[@camerontaylor7471]

pam0626 Karl Lagerfeld was the same way, most creative minds have this characteristic, it’s actually a symptom of schizophrenia, which of course can manifest in various degrees of severity... I’m the same way, in my head I can hold very complex concepts and ideas and connect to a higher steam of consciousness or “the bigger picture” and my mind will perfectly translate that “bigger picture” into coherent and cohesive sentences in my head, but for some reason there’s a disconnect between the mind and the body. And when the tongue and jaw and vocal cords perform the ‘script’ or ‘speech’ that the mind is holding it just gets lost in translation, I think because the mind is connecting and moving and jumping from one image to the next as it “sees” how they are connected to each other, but it is also simultaneously translating those images to words, and trying to use those words to express how the images are similar and connected to each other. But the truth is ineffable. The truth stands.

[@trivellekoolaidrian6921]

@@camerontaylor7471 I like your take, but not the schizophrenic correlation. If we highly gifted people keep referring to our intelligent minds as a byproduct of mental illness, then how can we be effective on behalf of our friends, families, or anyone. If it can't be seen on an MRI or by a neurologist/neurosurgeon, it doesn't exist.

[@10thirty-one42]

I talk like that sometimes. So does my mom 🤣🤣

[@erikghast3312]

I'm kinda torn on whether Tim and Michael should make Beet 2. I want it so badly, but I'm afraid of it at the same time.

[@MyJbryant]

I love and I mean love Tim Burton. But the Alice in Wonderland movies floored me. And he works great with Johnny and Michael.

[@bratton79]

Beetlejuice 2 would be awesome if Johnny Depp was in it too.

[@grapepotatos1921]

Apparently it was supposed to be like.... Hawaiian vacation themed with different ghosts asking beetle juice for help. So it’s like a phineas and ferb episode

[@AntiqueAncestry]

tbh i just want like a 3 episode miniseries where beetlejuice comes back, trys to take lydia. then the sandworm takes him out again.

[@HeatherChandlerBQ]

I agree, I think it has the potential to be great, but only if it’s done right. Let’s just hope they can pull it off if they chose to do it

[@guileniam]

Did anyone else notice how Heath Ledgers Joker looks kinda like Beetlejuice?

[@MyJbryant]

Yep

[@Potandthekettle]

No. Not even close

[@MeanT241985]

I can see it.....Beetlejuice hair worn down and dyed and you have the Joker (minus the scaaarrrsss).

[@Fritter_Films]

What? No... it doesn’t. That’s like saying, “dId aNyOnE nOtIcE tHaT sPoNgEbOb lOoKs lIkE mIcKeY mOuSe?”

[@user-zu5sc3ij8r]

@@Fritter_Films the hair the eyes the teeth the suits and some of the mannerisms are very similair too perhaps you should rewatch the movies with a sense of humour and then compare the 2

[@Kirwina]

Beetlejuice will forever remain an iconic movie and 80s classic

[@mikelorenz3109]

I want to see a movie of just Beetlejuice, like a prequel of him before,how,and after he died, and his struggles starting his afterlife.

[@dogcow666]

He commit suicide after a bad break-up the movie eludes to it during his first dialogue with lydia but a lot of the dialogue explaining his back story was cut from the final film

[@stereo-type1510]

make it real dark

[@squamish4244]

ROFL how the hell do you explain a character like Beetlejuice to an actor. A bio-exorcist? Wtf? (Keep in mind you have to erase 30 years of the movie being ingrained in pop culture).

[@MrParkerman6]

An un-dead clown. There! Wasn't that hard.

[@tylerjones7933]

Old comment but a somewhat scary lichen covered dead clown that is a bio exorsist and yeah it's hard to explain.

[@clairebrannon8130]

@@AjMtattoo Yes, exactly, lol!

[@jesiamendoza844]

This song is about Beetlejuice! Soo cool!👏kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5i5kH2XZ82GmJY

[@jesiamendoza844]

This song is about Beetlejuice! So Cool! kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5i5kH2XZ82GmJY

[@the_salem_reese]

just watched the movie tonight.. i can easily say... ITS MY FAVORITE MOVIE IN THE WORLD!!!! “NICE FRICKEN MODEL!!!”

[@jesiamendoza844]

This song is about Beetlejuice! So Cool! kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5i5kH2XZ82GmJY

[@gencij5175]

he was great as beetlejuoice i love that movie

[@bluecollarnobody4217]

One of the best parts ever played by Michael Keaton

[@YungM.D.]

Just watching Tim Burton and Keaton in interviews makes me go “Yeah, having these guys trying to explain a movie to each other-an unmade movie where the rewrites and concepts are always changing-would be insane.” But hey, that’s what makes them work so well. They’re on the same wavelength.

[@williamwilkinson8735]

@young MC...its a shame or a sham really that WB didn't want Tim for Batman Forever the whole McDonalds Happy Meal fiasco wasn't TIm's fault it was the marketing departments. They both would have made a 3rd Batman better than was we got.

[@letitbeknown8126]

Beetlejuice is such an iconic character

[@endywave3922]

To this day, I still can't believe he played the beetlejuice character. That role is too crazy even for other male actors, don't think johnny depp could even pull that character. But keaton nailed the beetlejuice character so perfectly brilliant.

[@chrisdjernaes9658]

Definitely a Cult Classic ....

[@aaronmiller4659]

" learn to throw your voice; fool your friends, fun at parties!!"😂😂

[@michellehiller8658]

He was so funny in beetlejuice..man he made me laugh😂

[@cabbycabby1770]

The end of the video trailed off just like Michael Keaton's thoughts do.

[@camerontaylor7471]

Cabby Cabby pam0626 Karl Lagerfeld was the same way, most creative minds have this characteristic, it’s actually a symptom of schizophrenia, which of course can manifest in various degrees of severity... I’m the same way, in my head I can hold very complex concepts and ideas and connect to a higher steam of consciousness or “the bigger picture” and my mind will perfectly translate that “bigger picture” into coherent and cohesive sentences in my head, but for some reason there’s a disconnect between the mind and the body. And when the tongue and jaw and vocal cords perform the ‘script’ or ‘speech’ that the mind is holding it just gets lost in translation, I think because the mind is connecting and moving and jumping from one image to the next as it “sees” how they are connected to each other, but it is also simultaneously translating those images to words, and trying to use those words to express how the images are similar and connected to each other. But the truth is ineffable. The truth stands.

[@bread.06]

I like how your pfp is Fester Addams

[@michaelDthompson]

One of my all time, if not, FAVORITE movie characters

[@AR-id3bo]

Over 90% of his acting was improved... great Actor ..love this movie

[@johnbattiest3061]

Part 2 of beetle juice would be so freakin awesome.Such a hilarious and creative movie.

[@interwebpsychiosis]

They're filming it now

[@JoseC87_]

Teaser dropped today! March, 21

[@sarahhouston6560]

Fantastic actor , I'm obsessed with the Nice fucking model pink oink!! Lol lol lol lol lol legendary epic !! Love you xx

[@allthingshome6953]

Beetlejuice is a classic and definitely in my top 10 favorite movies of all time.

[@abstuct1015]

Michael Keaton is that dude… Top 5 favorite actors🙏🏾

[@demianb5463]

One of the GREATEST characters of allllllll time!!!!

[@poopenstein]

Used to watch Beetlejuice all the time as a kid...wore out the VHS haha Keaton is proper underrated as an actor. My favourite Batman too.

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

Someone needs to make an 8 hour miniseries about Michael Keaton where he’s just telling stories.

[@ericbiondo619]

U know who would play beetlejuice now right??? I dont gotta say it ...do i?? Keaton killed it. I remember this being one of my moms favorites.

[@antoniomedina1398]

*_He played the Vulture in Spiderman Homecoming_*

[@burntvirtue]

*_Scooter Waffle_* We?

[@antoniomedina1398]

burntvirtue he* lol

[@JacquelineRoseSchlegel]

Glad they made it work🙌

[@MrHopeTelevision]

"And then it just became this unbelievable free" We'll never know what he said after that we can only dream of the the conversation

[@Thefalltopics]

Beetlejuice and Mr. Mom. His best films

[@Tornado1994]

Batman '89 is Keaton's BEST Film.

[@MyJbryant]

@@Tornado1994 Yes. It was. Mr. Mom was was cute.

[@MyJbryant]

Night Shift with Henry Winkler was awesome.

[@waynej2608]

@@MyJbryant Teri Garr. 😍

[@MyJbryant]

@@waynej2608 yes

[@spike16965]

I love his work. Never seen a movie of his that I didnt like. He did awesome in beetlejuice and wish they would have done a second but it was canceled

[@eugeniosabater8449]

It's incredible how he managed to create the character Beetlejuice as a similar vision that Tim Burton would have thought! I also believe Michael is the voice for the animated character right??? It has to be, sounds kinda chocked but it works!

[@Grym0626]

I’m 26 years old and I’m just now figuring out Micheal Keaton is Beetlejuice…it makes complete sense to me

[@user-fn7go9db1o]

Loved the character Mr. Keaton

[@kchdub3467]

It's So Amazingly Amusing On How A Man's Idea's & Thoughts Can Really Bring About Something Off The Market.

[@lauragraham8963]

Beetlejuice is my favourite film Michael Keaton was brilliant 👍

[@dwaynebarrett7536]

WE NEED PART 2. THANK YOU.

[@JustExistingforsomereason]

*I never imagined Michael Keaton being the one and only beetlejuice-*

[@BadFormPictures]

best thing is how he says.. I got an idea I dont know of its gonna work or not. thats a good place for young actors to know.

[@PrivateAckbar]

Every time i hear Keaton tell a story he seems almost neurotically indecisive.

[@josept9729]

Agreed. He is awesome, but he seems like he can't relax when being interviewed. Almost like he is choosing his words too carefully.

[@caffeineravine4404]

Michael Keatons always seems like he is trying to explain a dream he had or his mind exists in multiple times at once.

[@PrivateAckbar]

Caffeine Ravine It must be painful still being indecisive at that age.

[@hotelfoxtrot4979]

It's called creativity... the abstract of 100s of ideas occurring all at once, receiving them, making decisions about them (or not) and then applying a science or craft or performance or writing to flesh them out... then failure, and then brilliance... then deconstruct and deliver again... and again... and again

[@TheBombShhh]

he's probably got a.d.d., alot of people have it

[@lovesanimalshatesrats6339]

I LOVE Michael Keaton.

[@jordeanabell5170]

He is the sexiest old man. The way that he holds himself and the way that he articulates is the essence of a man that has been through so much and appreciates as much.

[@1337Unlucky]

Around 30 nominations for his rol in Birdman.

[@jesiamendoza844]

This song is about Beetlejuice! So Cool! kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5i5kH2XZ82GmJY

[@nomibe2911]

My favorite movie as a kid. My mom never had to ask me which movie I wanted to rent at Blockbuster...it was always Beetlejuice.

[@benthomas8765]

Keaton/Burton/Elfman…. Movie magic

[@MichaelBatmanKeaton]

GREATEST OF ALL TIME!

[@spike84able]

I loved this movie its classic. My favorite role of his.

[@sldffas9957]

Don't care how you did it, Michael, I'm just glad you figured it out lol. I heard they're doing a sequel. Can anyone confirm this?

[@thepuresh5671]

Tim Burton said he doesn't have a plan yet because if he does a sequel he wants it to be perfect, not rushed. And even though Michael Keaton and Wiona Ryder both agreed to be in a possible sequel Keaton himself said just a few months ago in 2017 he isn't sure if he really wants there to be a sequel since most movie sequels are bad. But he also stated that there are exceptions which he hopes Beetlejuice 2 will be :)

[@taucherdroid]

Also adding in that a couple months ago or something I see that that script is getting a rewrite. So Def in the works.

[@Potandthekettle]

@@thepuresh5671 Some sequels and even a couple of reboots are great.

[@junosynth]

@@Potandthekettle yep look at Aliens.

[@JoseC87_]

Yes.. I can confirm they are doing a sequel😅

[@tomschueller4545]

You were really good at this role Mr. Keaton.

[@jackblue6659]

Thank god those two collaborated

[@MrNikeGolf1]

Beetlejuice is the comedic twin brother of IT

[@black76561]

My fave film ever

[@sharkyfish3492]

I LOVE Michael

[@samanthacross9383]

It took him a really long time to say “beetle was my idea and I didn’t want to do it at first because his idea wasn’t as good as it could be but I saved him. I like the guy tho.”

[@guitarman0365]

because it means he is a good director willing to work with other's ideas instead of pushing his own ego all the time. That is what can make him likeable that Keaton could have his own ideas pushed on it without saying no. This is how most good movies are made through a process of genuine inspiration and on the spot changes. Most films we see never come out the way they are originally intended but many happy accidents or differing views aloud something better to exist and the fact Tim Burton and other directors allow for that variance from their own personal vision makes them good.

[@JohnDoeEagle1]

My favorite part is when he lifts up her dress with the stick and is checking her out! Lol Then shortly later he calls them losers and kicks over the tree and says "nice fuckin' model" and grabs his package with a horn honk! Lmao Classic! :D

[@user-bc7pf7gb4h]

Great movie Mr. Keaton. Loved it.

[@pixyrosejes7133]

Thank you.

[@TightMoneyGripp813]

Very awesome 🤜🏾🤛🏾💯

[@choosenickey7562]

He is a GEM y’allll. ❤️

[@10thirty-one42]

Legend

[@steveconn]

Great in the new newspaper drama "Spotlight."

[@waynej2608]

Yes, great film. Keaton and Mark Ruffalo were really impressive, as was the entire solid cast.

[@piusx8317]

The one, the only BATMAN!!

[@Squidbillies1000]

Mr. Keaton thank you. The movie Was excellent because of you

[@bryanfindley1438]

sooo luv it.. greatness FUN

[@KombatantChampion]

I would personally love to see Keaton come back as old Bruce Wayne for a Dark Knight Returns movie. That’d be awesome.

[@adamturner1563]

The Right guy. The Right Character. Beetlejuice! UNMATCHED

[@derekjay.s]

brilliant.

[@devanmoran]

A legend

[@a.person7825]

It’s crazy how he went from, “I have no idea.” to “Nailing it!” Good job, Michael..the only Batman I ever appreciated.

[@keithscott1926]

I’d love to see Beetlejuice come back in another movie with Tim Burton directing it.

[@mikeshirleyforever]

Your prayers will be answered in 2024.

[@austindurham5736]

I jist watched beetlejuice again for the millionth time and was trying to picture someone else playing him. It would never make sense.

[@benmiddleton9984]

great movie

[@Ogrematic]

The only guy on earth who could do this. Without him it wouldn'ta worked.

[@yenkodavi3573]

keaton is the man 👍🏼

[@jesiamendoza844]

This song is about Beetlejuice! Soo cool!👏kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5i5kH2XZ82GmJY

[@Orlando407100]

IT'S SHOWTIME!

[@livequality4578]

Still a legendary movie.

[@RMGCBG]

The greatest

[@seferino]

Master actor