Ray Randall

2002

Movies and TV

Birdman is primarily known as the alter ego of Riggan Thomson, a fictional character portrayed by Michael Keaton in the 2014 film Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance). Thomson is a washed-up actor desperately trying to revive his career.

Thomson achieved fame decades prior portraying the superhero Birdman in a series of blockbuster films. He is now haunted by the Birdman persona, represented as an internal voice and a manifestation of telekinetic powers, constantly urging him to reclaim his superhero glory.

In the film, Thomson is attempting to stage a Broadway adaptation of Raymond Carver's "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love," hoping to prove his artistic credibility and escape the shadow of Birdman. The character grapples with his fading fame, creative insecurities, family issues, and the constant presence of his superhero past.

While Birdman originated as a film character, the enduring cultural impact has led to some seeing "Birdman" as a standalone fictional entity, separate from Riggan Thomson, representing the burdens of past success and the struggle for artistic relevance.