Hollywood’s Leading Man Succeeded By Being Himself

Hollywood’s long-lasting leading man succeeded by being himself.

- Eric Spitznagel, photos by Serge Leblon

It’s been a good year for Michael Keaton, and it’s about to get better. It started with his Golden Globe win and Oscar nomination for Birdman - his most high-profile and critically acclaimed movie role in more than a decade. And now he’s back with yet another cinematic gem, Spotlight, about the Boston Globe reporters who exposed widespread child sex abuse in the Catholic church. The movie is already getting Oscar buzz. We called Keaton in L.A. to see what he’s planning next.

When Pope Francis visited the U.S. in September and spoke publicly about sexual abuse in the church, was there a part of you that hoped he’d throw out a plug for Spotlight?

I was holding out for it. I tried to get some Spotlight T-shirts to him. I had a box of crew hats sent to the Vatican, but I guess they didn’t get there in time.

You were raised Catholic. Are you a Pope Francis fan?