Michael Keaton knew Jack Nicholson enjoyed sports when he signed up to don the cape and cowl in 1989's Batman, but he was blown away when he discovered the depths of his co-star's obsession.
In a clip unearthed by THR for the three-time Oscar winner's 83rd birthday, Keaton recalled the duo's time filming Tim Burton's blockbuster while appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2014 to promote Birdman (Keaton said he screened the film for Nicholson to get his feedback).
Heat Vision breakdown
Keaton noted that sports were an integral part of Nicholson's life, as best exemplified by his well-known Los Angeles Lakers superfandom. And since Batman filmed in London, the games had to be taped and shipped to Nicholson. What's more, no one was allowed to talk about the game, especially the final score. "I'd be standing there in a rubber suit watching Lakers games in his dressing room," Keaton recalled.
Still, that did not stun Keaton as much as another anecdote he shared about one morning when they were getting their makeup done.
"Back then, on the BBC, you couldn't watch anything, so you would scramble around to watch any sports activity," Keaton explained. So, swearing to God the moment was true, Keaton said Nicholson walked into the makeup trailer one day and said, "Damn good darts tournament last night."
The story got a huge laugh from the audience. Kimmel quipped, "That's a man with a problem."
Watch the segment below.
