Michael Keaton on career risks and how he almost missed “Beetlejuice” (exclusive)

For millions of moviegoers, Michael Keaton is Beetlejuice, Batman or maybe even Mr. Mom – the title characters in many of his successful films.

In certain Hollywood circles, however, he has a different name. “I used to be known as ‘Dr. No’ because I turned down a lot of roles. Not out of arrogance, but for some reason,” says the Pennsylvania native, who turns 73 on September 5.

Listening to his gut instinct has served Keaton well over the past five decades, as he has built an impressive and varied career that also includes comedy (such as 1982’s Night shift), Action (1989s Batman) and Drama (the Oscar winner for Best Picture 2015 Headlights).

Even though the projects are different, he brings the unmistakable Keaton quality to each of his roles. “He has an interesting creative nervousness,” says Tim Burton, who directed him in five films. “There’s something slightly crazy in his eyes.”

This is certainly the case for Keaton in the crazy 1988 horror comedy Beetlejuice — with the actor as the titular, obscene, belching demon — and its sequel, the eagerly awaited Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

But he almost turned down the role that made him a well-known personality because after meeting director Burton, he had no idea what to do with the character.

“Someone said, ‘Do you want to meet this guy? He made this movie, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventureand stuff,'” Keaton says of Burton. “And I had seen a little bit. I don’t think I even watched the whole movie. And I said, ‘Sure,'” Keaton recalls.

Burton explained the character this way: “I just didn’t know what he was talking about,” says Keaton.

“I don’t mean that sarcastically,” he continues. “I didn’t understand what he was talking about. So I said, ‘Wait a minute, but who is he? What’s going on?'”

The meeting, Keaton recalls, was “pleasant,” so he agreed to another meeting, even though he was unsure if he was right for the role.

“I just said, ‘I don’t know what it is and he better get someone else because I don’t understand.’ Not like, ‘I don’t understand. I thought it was bad.’ I literally didn’t know what it was,” Keaton says.

But something about Burton impressed Keaton, and he finally took the chance and signed on. “My gut instinct was, ‘This guy is special. Definitely special.’ And I just liked him. I liked him as a person. I got along with him, and he seemed like my type of eccentric artist.”

Not long after Keaton came into contact with Burton, he sensed similarly good vibes from Jack Nicholson, his co-star in Batman (the second collaboration between Keaton and Burton).

“I just really liked him,” says Keaton, who still keeps in touch with the three-time Oscar winner. “He’s really, really intelligent. Really. A real reader. He just has an innate intelligence and then a self-taught intelligence. … Because he devours books. Always something to talk about. He has very strong opinions about things when you’re talking.”

The friendship with the legendary party boy had its advantages. “He took me on a jet to Paris,” Keaton recalls. “I was like a Boy Scout. I was ready to go out like any normal person. Jack didn’t come out of his room until about 10 or 10:30 p.m.”

They ended up at the exclusive nightclub Les Bains Douches. “Jack was having a blast. He had the biggest grin on his face,” recalls Keaton, who walked back to the hotel ahead of his host. He remembers thinking, “This is fun, but it’s kind of wasted on me.”

These days, Keaton, who won an Emmy in 2022 for his portrayal of a doctor at the center of the opioid crisis in the Hulu miniseries DopeSickstill leads a quieter life. He spends a lot of time in Montana, where he has lived part-time on his 1,000-acre property for the past 30 years.

There, in his comfortable place, he enjoys time with his son, Grammy-winning songwriter Sean Douglas (41) and his grandchildren River (8) and Maggie (5).

Work is great – and there is plenty of it – but being in Big Sky Country with those closest to you is even better. Keaton says, “I love being with my family.”

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will be in cinemas on September 6th.

To learn more about Michael Keaton, pick up the new issue of PEOPLE and watch the video above for more stories about his films and family.