Actors Who Use Fake Names (& Why)

Many actors in Hollywood don’t use their real names. They choose a different name, a stage name, to use for their professional careers. This practice is common and has been happening for a long time in the entertainment industry. The reasons for changing a name are varied and personal to each actor.

One of the main reasons actors adopt a stage name is due to the rules of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA). This union for performers doesn’t allow two members to have the same working name. If a new actor’s birth name is already taken by an existing member, they must choose a new one. Other reasons can be more personal, such as having a name that is difficult to pronounce or wanting to create a more memorable and marketable identity. Some actors also change their names to separate their professional and private lives or to avoid being associated with a famous family.

Whoopi Goldberg

Caryn Elaine Johnson is the real name of the actress and talk show host known as Whoopi Goldberg. She adopted her stage name early in her career. The first part, “Whoopi,” came from a whoopee cushion. She has said that if you get gas, you have to let it go, and people used to say to her she was like a whoopee cushion.

The surname “Goldberg” was her mother’s suggestion. Her mother felt that the last name Johnson was not “Jewish enough” to make her a star. She advised her to take a Jewish name, and that’s how she became Whoopi Goldberg.

Michael Keaton

Michael Keaton was born Michael Douglas. When he started his acting career, he had to change his name to join the actors’ union. This was because there was already a very famous actor named Michael Douglas, as well as a well-known talk show host named Mike Douglas.

To avoid confusion, he needed a new last name. He chose “Keaton” not because of any family connection or deep meaning, but simply because he saw the name in a list and liked it. It was a practical decision to establish his own unique identity in Hollywood.

Natalie Portman

Born as Neta-Lee Hershlag, Natalie Portman adopted her grandmother’s maiden name to have a stage name. She began acting as a child and chose to use a different name to protect her privacy and her family. Her first major role was in the film Léon: The Professional (1994).

Using a stage name allowed her to keep her personal life separate from her growing fame. “Portman” was a way to honor her family heritage while creating a distinct professional identity for her career in the film industry.

Jamie Foxx

Eric Marlon Bishop is the birth name of the multi-talented actor and singer Jamie Foxx. He chose his stage name early in his stand-up comedy career. He noticed that female comedians were often called to the stage first at comedy clubs because there were fewer of them.

He picked the gender-neutral first name “Jamie” to have a better chance of being called up earlier. He chose the last name “Foxx” as a tribute to the legendary comedian Redd Foxx, who was one of his biggest inspirations.

Emma Stone

The actress we know as Emma Stone was born Emily Jean Stone. When she registered for the Screen Actors Guild, she found out that “Emily Stone” was already taken by another actress. The union rules required her to choose a different name.

At first, she chose “Riley Stone” but didn’t feel comfortable with it. She then settled on “Emma,” a name that was close to her real name. It was a name she also had a personal connection to, as it was a nickname her mother had given her.

Vin Diesel

The star of the Fast & Furious franchise, Vin Diesel, was born Mark Sinclair. He got his famous moniker while working as a bouncer in New York City. The name came from his friends and colleagues at the club where he worked.

“Vin” is a shortened version of his mother’s married name, Vincent. The last name “Diesel” was a nickname given to him by his friends because he was always full of energy, like he was running on diesel fuel. The name stuck and he carried it into his acting career.

Nicolas Cage

Nicolas Cage was born Nicolas Kim Coppola. He is the nephew of the famous film director Francis Ford Coppola. To avoid the appearance of nepotism and to build his own career based on his own merit, he decided to change his last name.

He chose the surname “Cage” inspired by the Marvel Comics superhero Luke Cage. This new name allowed him to create his own identity in the film industry, separate from his famous uncle and the Coppola family legacy.

Olivia Wilde

Olivia Wilde’s birth name is Olivia Jane Cockburn. She decided to change her last name when she started her acting career. The name “Wilde” was chosen in honor of the famous Irish writer Oscar Wilde.

Her mother is a journalist and producer, and many of her family members are writers. Adopting a pen name is a tradition in her family, and she chose a name that paid homage to a literary figure she admired.

Bruno Mars

The Grammy-winning singer and performer Bruno Mars was born Peter Gene Hernandez. His stage name has two parts with different origins. The first name, “Bruno,” was a nickname his father gave him as a child.

His father thought he looked like the professional wrestler Bruno Sammartino. The last name “Mars” came later when he was trying to make it in the music industry. He felt that he was “out of this world,” and so he added “Mars” to his name to create a memorable and impactful stage presence.

Meg Ryan

Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra is the real name of the actress known as Meg Ryan. When she registered with the Screen Actors Guild, she needed a shorter and more memorable name. She decided to use her grandmother’s maiden name, “Ryan.”

This change gave her a simple and catchy name that was easy for audiences to remember. It helped to establish her as a leading lady in romantic comedies like When Harry Met Sally… (1989) and Sleepless in Seattle (1993).

Charlie Sheen

Born Carlos Irwin Estévez, Charlie Sheen is the son of actor Martin Sheen, who was also born with the last name Estévez. His father adopted the surname “Sheen” for his acting career, and Charlie decided to follow in his footsteps by using the same professional last name.

His brother, Emilio Estevez, however, chose to keep his birth name for his acting career. Charlie Sheen’s name change connected him to his father’s established career in Hollywood.

Julianne Moore

Julie Anne Smith is the birth name of the acclaimed actress Julianne Moore. When she joined the Actors’ Equity Association, she found that all variations of her name, including “Julie Smith” and “Julie Anne Smith,” were already registered by other actors.

To create a unique name, she combined her first name with her mother’s first name, Anne, creating “Julianne.” For her last name, she took her father’s middle name, “Moore.” This allowed her to honor both of her parents in her professional name.

Michael Caine

The legendary British actor Michael Caine was born Maurice Joseph Micklewhite. He started using the stage name “Michael Scott” early in his career. However, he was told that another actor was already using that name.

While on the phone with his agent, he looked out of the window and saw a poster for the film The Caine Mutiny (1954). He needed a new last name right away and decided on “Caine.” He legally changed his name to Michael Caine in 2016.

Diane Keaton

Diane Keaton’s birth name is Diane Hall. When she joined the Actors’ Equity Association, the name “Diane Hall” was already taken by another actress. To create a professional name, she decided to use her mother’s maiden name, “Keaton.”

Interestingly, her famous role in the movie Annie Hall (1977) was written for her by Woody Allen, and the character’s last name was a nod to her real last name. The name change was a practical step to start her career in acting.

Ben Kingsley

The Oscar-winning actor Ben Kingsley was born Krishna Pandit Bhanji. His father was of Indian descent. He decided to change his name at the beginning of his acting career because he was concerned that a foreign-sounding name might hurt his chances of getting roles.

He chose the name “Ben” from a nickname he had, and “Kingsley” was derived from a name in his family’s history. He believed that an English name would be more accessible to casting directors and audiences.

Tina Fey

The comedian and writer Tina Fey was born Elizabeth Stamatina Fey. Her stage name “Tina” is a shortened version of her middle name, Stamatina. She has been using this nickname since her college days.

This simple change made her name shorter and more memorable, which is helpful in the fast-paced world of comedy and television. It’s a name that has become synonymous with her sharp wit and comedic talent.

Portia de Rossi

The actress Portia de Rossi was born Amanda Lee Rogers. At the age of 15, she decided to legally change her name. She chose the name “Portia” from the character in William Shakespeare’s play The Merchant of Venice.

She chose “de Rossi” because she thought it sounded exotic and sophisticated. The name change was a way for her to reinvent herself and create a new identity as she was starting her modeling and acting career.

Katy Perry

The pop star Katy Perry, who has also acted in films, was born Katheryn Hudson. She released a Christian rock album under her real name, Katy Hudson, in 2001. However, the album was not commercially successful.

To avoid being confused with the actress Kate Hudson, she decided to adopt a new last name. She chose “Perry,” which is her mother’s maiden name. This change helped her create a distinct brand for her pop music career.

John Legend

The singer and actor John Legend’s real name is John Roger Stephens. He got his stage name from a friend, the poet J. Ivy. J. Ivy thought that his music sounded classic and old-school, like the music of the legends.

He started calling him “The Legend,” and the name stuck. At first, John Stephens was hesitant to use the name, but as more people started calling him John Legend, he decided to adopt it as his professional name.

Demi Moore

Demi Moore was born Demetria Gene Guynes. She started her career as a model before moving into acting. She took her professional last name from her first husband, musician Freddy Moore.

Even after their marriage ended, she continued to use the name “Demi Moore” for her acting career. The name became well-known through her roles in popular films like Ghost (1990) and A Few Good Men (1992).

David Tennant

The Scottish actor David Tennant was born David John McDonald. When he started his acting career, he had to change his name to join the actors’ union, Equity. This was because there was already another actor named David McDonald registered.

He was a fan of the Pet Shop Boys and saw the name of their singer, Neil Tennant, in a copy of Smash Hits magazine. He liked the name and decided to adopt it as his professional surname.

Olivia Colman

The Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman was born Sarah Caroline Sinclair. She had to change her professional name because there was already an actress registered with the name Sarah Sinclair in the actors’ union, Equity.

She chose the name “Olivia” because it was the name of her best friend from university. “Colman” is her mother’s maiden name. This combination created a new identity for her successful acting career.

Frank Ocean

The singer and songwriter Frank Ocean, who has also been involved in film projects, was born Christopher Edwin Breaux. He legally changed his name to Frank Ocean in 2015. His new name was inspired by his love for the film Ocean’s 11 (1960).

The original film starred the “Rat Pack,” which included Frank Sinatra. By combining the first name of Frank Sinatra and the title of the movie, he created a name that he felt better represented him as an artist.

Illeana Douglas

Illeana Douglas was born Illeana Hesselberg. She is the granddaughter of the classic Hollywood actor Melvyn Douglas. To honor her grandfather’s legacy, she adopted his professional last name, “Douglas,” for her own acting career.

Her grandfather’s birth name was Melvyn Edouard Hesselberg, so both he and his granddaughter chose to use a different name for their careers in the film industry.

Lana Del Rey

The singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey, who has had her music featured in many films and television shows, was born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant. She has used several stage names throughout her career, but “Lana Del Rey” is the one that brought her international fame.

She has said that the name came from a combination of the classic Hollywood actress Lana Turner and the Ford Del Rey car. She wanted a name that sounded glamorous and had a touch of old Hollywood charm.

Tim Allen

The actor and comedian Tim Allen was born Timothy Alan Dick. When he began his career in stand-up comedy, he was advised by a local television producer to change his last name to avoid having it used in jokes.

He decided to use his middle name, Alan, as his last name and changed Timothy to Tim. This simple change gave him a more commercially friendly name for his television and film career, including his hit show Home Improvement (1991-1999).

Iggy Azalea

The rapper and musician Iggy Azalea was born Amethyst Amelia Kelly. Her stage name has a personal story behind it. “Iggy” was the name of her childhood dog. Her dog was named after the rock star Iggy Pop.

The “Azalea” part of her name comes from the street she grew up on. Her family lived on Azalea Street, and she thought it sounded feminine and fitting for a stage name. Together, the two names created her unique professional persona.

Jason Sudeikis

The actor and comedian Jason Sudeikis was born Daniel Jason Sudeikis. He has been going by his middle name, Jason, since he was young. His father is also named Daniel, so using his middle name was a way to avoid confusion at home.

When he started his career in comedy and acting, he simply continued to use the name that everyone already knew him by. It was a natural choice that he had been comfortable with for most of his life.

Reese Witherspoon

The actress Reese Witherspoon was born Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon. Her first name is Laura, and her middle name is Jeanne. She chose to use her mother’s maiden name, “Reese,” as her professional first name.

This change gave her a unique and memorable name that has become her brand in Hollywood. It is a tribute to her family’s heritage and a name that has become synonymous with her successful acting and producing career.

Martin Sheen

Martin Sheen’s birth name is Ramón Antonio Gerardo Estévez. He is the son of a Spanish immigrant father and an Irish immigrant mother. Early in his career, he found that his Hispanic name was a barrier to getting acting roles.

He adopted the stage name “Martin Sheen” to have a more Anglo-sounding name that he hoped would help him get cast more easily. He took the first name from a casting director he knew, Robert Dale Martin, and the last name from the televangelist Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.

Tom Cruise

Born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV, Tom Cruise decided to shorten his name when he started acting. He is one of the biggest movie stars in the world. He dropped his father’s surname, Mapother, and used his middle name instead.

This change resulted in a stronger, more memorable name that was perfect for a Hollywood leading man. “Tom Cruise” quickly became a household name with hit movies like Top Gun (1986) and the Mission: Impossible series.

Mindy Kaling

The actress and writer Mindy Kaling was born Vera Mindy Chokalingam. Her parents, who are from India, always called her by her middle name, Mindy. The name comes from the TV show Mork & Mindy.

When she began her career in stand-up comedy, she shortened her long last name to “Kaling.” She found that masters of ceremonies at clubs had trouble pronouncing “Chokalingam.” The shorter name was easier to remember and say.

Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix was born Joaquin Rafael Bottom. His parents were members of a religious group, and after they left, they changed the family surname to “Phoenix.” This new name symbolized a new beginning for them.

For a period in his childhood, he called himself “Leaf” to have a nature-themed name like his siblings River, Rain, Liberty, and Summer. He later returned to using Joaquin for his professional acting career.

Elton John

The famous musician and actor Elton John was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight. He created his iconic stage name by combining the names of two of his former bandmates. He was in a band called Bluesology.

The first name “Elton” came from the band’s saxophone player, Elton Dean. The last name “John” came from the band’s lead singer, Long John Baldry. This new name marked the start of his legendary solo career.

Lady Gaga

The singer and actress Lady Gaga was born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. Her stage name came from a song by the rock band Queen. A music producer she worked with, Rob Fusari, gave her the nickname.

Fusari would sing Queen’s “Radio Ga Ga” whenever she arrived at the studio because he felt her style was similar to Freddie Mercury’s. One day, his phone autocorrected “Radio” to “Lady” in a text message, and the name Lady Gaga was born.

Blake Lively

Blake Lively’s birth name is Blake Ellender Brown. She comes from a family of actors. When she started her own career, she decided to take on her mother’s last name.

Her mother’s maiden name is Lively, and Blake adopted it as her professional surname. This choice connected her to her family’s acting roots while also giving her a unique and memorable name for Hollywood.

Audrey Hepburn

The iconic actress Audrey Hepburn was born Audrey Kathleen Ruston. She had a complex history with her name due to World War II. While living in the Netherlands, her mother changed her name to Edda van Heemstra to hide her English background.

After the war, she began her acting career and needed a professional name. She chose “Hepburn,” which was the surname of her maternal grandmother. This became the legendary name associated with her classic films.

Cary Grant

Cary Grant was born Archibald Leach in England. He is remembered as one of the most charismatic leading men of classic Hollywood. When he signed a contract with Paramount Studios, they decided his birth name was not right for a star.

He was asked to choose a new name from a list provided by the studio. He picked “Cary” and the studio suggested “Grant.” Together, they created the suave and sophisticated name that matched his on-screen persona.

Kirk Douglas

Kirk Douglas was born Issur Danielovitch to Russian-Jewish immigrant parents. Growing up, he was known as Izzy Demsky. He decided to change his name before he joined the U.S. Navy during World War II.

He wanted a name that sounded more American. He chose “Kirk” and “Douglas” because he liked the sound of them. His son, Michael Douglas, kept the famous last name for his own successful acting career.

Rita Hayworth

Rita Hayworth’s birth name was Margarita Carmen Cansino. Her father was a Spanish dancer, and early in her career, she was often cast in “ethnic” roles. A studio executive at Columbia Pictures told her to change her image.

She changed her last name to her mother’s maiden name, “Hayworth,” to sound less Spanish. She also dyed her black hair auburn. This transformation helped make her one of the biggest stars of the 1940s.

Jon Stewart

The comedian and former host of The Daily Show was born Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz. He began using the name Jon Stewart early in his stand-up comedy career. He has offered a few reasons for the change over the years.

One reason he has mentioned is his difficult relationship with his father, with whom he shared the last name. He also said the name was easier for people to pronounce. He officially dropped his last name for professional use.

Nina Dobrev

The star of the TV show The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017) was born Nikolina Kamenova Dobreva in Bulgaria. When she moved to Canada and began her acting career, she decided to simplify her name.

She shortened her first name, Nikolina, to “Nina” and her last name, Dobreva, to “Dobrev.” This made her name easier for North American audiences and casting directors to say and remember.

Brie Larson

The Oscar-winning actress Brie Larson was born Brianne Sidonie Desaulniers. Her French last name proved difficult for people to pronounce. This led her to look for a new professional name.

She chose the surname “Larson” from her Swedish great-grandmother. She also got the name from an American Girl doll named Kirsten Larson that she had as a child. The name was much easier to say and spell.

Aaron Paul

Aaron Paul is known for his role as Jesse Pinkman in the show Breaking Bad (2008-2013). His birth name is Aaron Paul Sturtevant. When he started his acting career, he decided to simplify his professional name.

He dropped his birth surname, Sturtevant, and simply used his first and middle names as his full stage name. This made his name shorter and more memorable for auditions and credits.

Lucy Hale

The actress Lucy Hale, known for the show Pretty Little Liars (2010-2017), was born Karen Lucille Hale. She has gone by the name Lucy for most of her life. It is a nickname derived from her middle name, Lucille.

When she began her career in music and acting, it was a natural choice to use the name everyone already knew her by. Using “Lucy Hale” was a simple and direct way to brand herself professionally.

Shania Twain

The country music superstar, who has also appeared in films, was born Eilleen Regina Edwards. Her stage name came after she was adopted by her stepfather, Jerry Twain, who was a member of the Ojibwa First Nation.

The name “Shania” is said to mean “I’m on my way” in the Ojibwa language, though this claim has been disputed. The name change marked a new start for her as she began her journey to becoming a music icon.

Calvin Harris

The DJ and music producer Calvin Harris was born Adam Richard Wiles. He is known for his hit songs and has worked with many famous artists. He chose his stage name for his very first music release.

The song was a soul track, and he wanted a name that sounded “racially ambiguous.” He chose “Calvin Harris” because he thought it sounded better for the type of music he was making. The name stuck and he has used it ever since.

Drake

The rapper and actor Drake was born Aubrey Drake Graham. He acted under his full name in the Canadian teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001-2009). When he launched his music career, he decided to make a change.

He chose to use his middle name, Drake, as his solo moniker. He felt that “Drake” was a stronger and more impactful name for the world of hip-hop. It became the one-word brand for his superstar music career.

Mahershala Ali

The two-time Oscar-winning actor was born Mahershalalhashbaz Gilmore. His first name comes from the Bible. Early in his career, he used the name Mahershalalhashbaz Ali.

He later decided to shorten his professional first name to “Mahershala” to make it easier for people. He adopted the last name “Ali” after converting to Islam. His wife encouraged him to use the shorter version.

Milo Ventimiglia

Milo Ventimiglia is famous for his roles in Gilmore Girls (2000-2007) and This Is Us (2016-2022). His birth name is Milo Anthony Ventimiglia. His last name is Italian and means “twenty miles.”

Early in his career, his agents advised him to change his last name to something simpler, like “Venti.” However, he refused. He wanted to honor his father and his heritage by keeping his family name. He is a prominent example of an actor who succeeded without changing a difficult name.

Jennifer Aniston

The star of the show Friends (1994-2004) was born Jennifer Anastassakis. Her father, who was also an actor, changed the family’s Greek last name to “Aniston” before she was born. He did this to make it easier for American audiences to pronounce.

Jennifer was therefore born with the surname Aniston and used it for her career. The name change happened one generation before her, but it was done for the very common reason of having a more accessible name for a career in entertainment.

Woody Allen

The writer and director Woody Allen was born Allan Stewart Konigsberg. At the age of 17, he legally changed his name to Heywood Allen. He had been using the name Woody for a while as a nickname.

He chose the new name as he began his career writing jokes for comedians and publications. The name “Woody Allen” became his professional identity long before he became a famous filmmaker.

Alan Alda

The acclaimed actor from the show MASH* (1972-1983) was born Alphonso Joseph D’Abruzzo. His father, Robert Alda, was also an actor and had already changed the family name.

The name “Alda” was created by combining the first two letters of his father’s first name, Alphonso, and last name, D’Abruzzo. Alan Alda adopted this created surname for his own career, following in his father’s footsteps.

Fred Astaire

The legendary dancer and actor Fred Astaire was born Frederick Austerlitz. His family immigrated to the United States from Austria. When he and his sister Adele began performing in vaudeville, they adopted a new surname.

The name “Astaire” was chosen for their act. The exact origin is debated, with some stories suggesting it was taken from an uncle or had a connection to a battle in French history. The name change gave them a more elegant and memorable stage presence.

Jack Black

The comedian and actor Jack Black was born Thomas Jacob Black. He uses a shortened version of his middle name, Jacob, as his professional first name. “Jack” has traditionally been a nickname for Jacob or John.

This was a simple change that made his name punchier and more memorable for his high-energy comedy and rock music persona in the band Tenacious D. He still uses his full name on official documents.

Carmen Electra

The model and actress Carmen Electra was born Tara Leigh Patrick. She received her stage name from the music superstar Prince. She had successfully auditioned for a girl group he was forming.

Prince told her that she wasn’t a Tara, but a Carmen, and gave her the full name “Carmen Electra.” Although the girl group never took off, she kept the name and used it to launch her successful career in modeling and acting.

Tony Curtis

The classic Hollywood star Tony Curtis was born Bernard Schwartz. He was the son of Hungarian-Jewish immigrants. When he signed with Universal Pictures, the studio gave him a new name.

He was first named “Anthony,” and he chose the last name “Curtis” from a family name on his mother’s side. He later shortened the first name to “Tony.” The studio wanted a name that sounded more like a classic movie star.

Doris Day

The beloved singer and actress Doris Day was born Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff. She got her famous last name while working as a singer for a big band. A bandleader thought her last name was too long for marquees.

One of the songs she often sang was “Day After Day.” The bandleader, Barney Rapp, suggested she call herself “Doris Day” after the song. The name was catchy and it stuck with her for her entire career.

Jane Seymour

The actress Jane Seymour was born Joyce Penelope Wilhelmina Frankenberg. When she began her acting career, she chose a name that was much easier to say and remember.

She picked the name of one of King Henry VIII’s wives, Jane Seymour. The name was historical, elegant, and had a classic feel that she felt suited her image as an actress.

John Wayne

The iconic Western movie star John Wayne was born Marion Robert Morrison. When he started his acting career, a director at Fox Studios did not like his name. The director, Raoul Walsh, thought it sounded too feminine.

Walsh suggested the name “Anthony Wayne” after a Revolutionary War general. The studio head preferred “John Wayne.” The young actor was not even present when his new name was chosen for him.

Marilyn Monroe

The legendary actress Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson. She started her career as a model. When she signed her first movie contract with 20th Century Fox, a studio executive named Ben Lyon gave her a new name.

Lyon suggested the first name “Marilyn” because she reminded him of a Broadway star named Marilyn Miller. She then suggested her mother’s maiden name, “Monroe,” as the surname. This created one of the most famous names in history.

Winona Ryder

The actress Winona Ryder was born Winona Laura Horowitz. She grew up in a counter-culture family in Minnesota. Her professional last name was chosen for her very first film role.

When asked how she wanted to be credited in the movie, she saw a record album by the singer Mitch Ryder, who her father was a fan of. On the spot, she chose “Ryder” as her last name, and it became her professional identity.

Christopher Walken

The actor known for his unique delivery was born Ronald Walken. He was a child actor and worked in television and theater from a young age. He received his new first name from a nightclub singer.

In the 1960s, he was in a nightclub act with a singer who decided he looked more like a “Christopher” than a “Ronald.” She started calling him Christopher, and he liked it enough to adopt it as his professional name.

Gene Simmons

The rock star and actor from the band KISS was born Chaim Witz in Israel. After moving to the United States as a child, he changed his name to Eugene Klein. “Klein” was his mother’s maiden name.

When he started his music career, he changed his name again to “Gene Simmons” in tribute to an old rockabilly singer named Jumpin’ Gene Simmons. This name became famous as part of his on-stage persona, “The Demon.”

Raquel Welch

The famous actress and model Raquel Welch was born Jo Raquel Tejada. Her father was from Bolivia. Early in her career, a studio wanted her to change her first name to “Debbie.”

They were worried that “Raquel” sounded too ethnic. However, she insisted on keeping her first name. She did agree to use the last name of her first husband, James Welch, as her professional surname.

Bruce Willis

The action star Bruce Willis was born Walter Bruce Willis. He has always gone by his middle name, Bruce, among his family and friends. It was a natural choice to use that name for his career.

He dropped his first name, Walter, for his professional life. “Bruce Willis” had a stronger and more marketable sound for a Hollywood leading man, especially for the action roles that made him a global superstar.

Jean-Claude Van Damme

The martial arts star was born Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg in Belgium. He needed a stronger, more powerful name for his movie career when he came to Hollywood.

He chose “Van Damme” as his professional last name. He has said it was in honor of a friend of his, and also because he felt it had a punchier and more memorable sound than his birth name.

Alicia Keys

The singer and occasional actress was born Alicia Augello Cook. When she was starting her music career, she wanted a stage name that felt right. She considered calling herself “Alicia Wild.”

However, her mother told her it sounded like a stripper’s name. She then thought of “Keys” after playing the piano, which is a central part of her musical identity. She felt the name “Alicia Keys” was a perfect fit for her as an artist.

Woody Harrelson

The actor known for his roles in Cheers (1985-1993) and many films was born Woodrow Tracy Harrelson. He has used a shortened version of his first name for his entire career.

Using “Woody” instead of Woodrow gave him a more approachable and friendly-sounding name. It suited his personality and became the name everyone knew him by as he rose to fame.

Larry King

The legendary television host Larry King was born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger. When he was starting out in radio in Miami, his boss told him that “Zeiger” was too ethnic and difficult to remember.

Just minutes before he was supposed to go on the air for the first time, he saw an advertisement in the newspaper for King’s Wholesale Liquor. He chose the name “King” on the spot, and it became his professional name for his entire iconic career.

Ricky Martin

The international pop star and actor was born Enrique Martín Morales. He began his career as a child in the boy band Menudo. As he launched his solo career, he used an Americanized version of his name.

“Ricky” is a common nickname for Enrique, and he kept his father’s paternal surname, Martin, as his last name. This made his name more accessible to a global audience, especially in the English-speaking world.

Ringo Starr

The drummer for The Beatles was born Richard Starkey. He got his famous nickname while playing with another band before he joined The Beatles. He often wore many rings on his fingers.

This led his bandmates to start calling him “Rings,” which was later shortened to “Ringo.” He chose “Starr” as his last name because it was a shortened version of his real last name, Starkey. This also allowed for his popular “Ringo’s Starr Time” drum solos.

Tina Turner

The Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll was born Anna Mae Bullock. She received her stage name from her musical partner and then-husband, Ike Turner. He gave her the name “Tina Turner” to perform in his band.

He reportedly trademarked the name so that if she ever left him, he could replace her with another singer using the same name. She fought to keep the name after their divorce, as it was her professional identity, and she succeeded.

Stevie Wonder

The musical prodigy was born Stevland Hardaway Morris. He was signed to Motown Records as a child. The head of Motown, Berry Gordy, gave him his famous stage name.

Because of his incredible talent at such a young age, people at the record label called him a “wonder.” Gordy made it official, naming him “Little Stevie Wonder.” As he grew up, he dropped the “Little” and became the legendary Stevie Wonder.

Pat Benatar

The rock singer Pat Benatar was born Patricia Mae Andrzejewski. Her Polish last name was difficult for people to pronounce. She got her famous surname from her first husband.

She married her high school sweetheart, Dennis Benatar, and took his last name. Even after they divorced, she kept the name for her professional music career because it was simpler and more memorable.

Joan Rivers

The groundbreaking comedian Joan Rivers was born Joan Alexandra Molinsky. When she decided to pursue a career in entertainment, her agent at the time, Tony Rivers, advised her to change her name.

She chose the last name “Rivers” based on her agent’s suggestion. She felt that “Joan Rivers” sounded more professional and was better suited for show business than her birth name.

Lea Michele

The actress and singer from the show Glee (2009-2015) was born Lea Michele Sarfati. When she started her career as a child actress on Broadway, she decided to simplify her name.

She chose to use her first and middle names, Lea Michele, as her full professional name. She has said that she was teased for her last name, Sarfati, in school and felt more comfortable using her middle name instead.

Brad Pitt

The world-famous actor was born William Bradley Pitt. Since he was a child, he has gone by his middle name, Bradley, or its shortened version, Brad. His father’s name is also William.

When he started his acting career, he simply used the name that he had always been called. “Brad Pitt” was a strong, simple, and memorable name that fit the image of a Hollywood leading man.

Ashton Kutcher

The actor and entrepreneur was born Christopher Ashton Kutcher. His family has always called him by his middle name, Ashton, to avoid confusion with his father, who is also named Christopher.

When he began his modeling and acting career, he continued to use the name Ashton. He once revealed that when he was starting out, he was told there was already a “Chris” in his modeling agency, so he stuck with Ashton.

Burt Reynolds

The legendary actor Burt Reynolds was born Burton Leon Reynolds Jr. He was a star college football player before an injury led him to pursue acting. For his career, he used a shortened version of his first name.

He went by “Burt” instead of Burton, which gave him a more rugged and approachable persona. The name Burt Reynolds became synonymous with his charismatic and popular on-screen characters in films like Smokey and the Bandit (1977).

Ted Danson

The beloved television actor was born Edward Bridge Danson III. He is known for his roles in Cheers (1982-1993) and The Good Place (2016-2020). He uses a common nickname for his professional name.

“Ted” has long been a traditional nickname for Edward. He has used the name Ted Danson for his entire acting career, giving him a friendly and familiar name that has become a staple of American television.

Sigourney Weaver

The star of the Alien film series was born Susan Alexandra Weaver. She decided to change her first name when she was a teenager, long before she became an actress.

She chose the name “Sigourney” after a minor character named Sigourney Howard from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby. She felt the name suited her tall stature better than “Susan.”

Dakota Fanning

The actress who rose to fame as a child star was born Hannah Dakota Fanning. She has used her middle name, Dakota, for her entire professional career. Her younger sister, Elle, also uses her middle name.

Using her middle name gave her a more unique and memorable identity in Hollywood. It is the name the public has always known her by, from her early roles to her work as an adult actress.

Elle Fanning

Like her older sister, actress Elle Fanning also uses her middle name professionally. She was born Mary Elle Fanning. Both sisters have chosen to go by their more distinctive middle names.

This choice has helped both actresses establish their own separate identities in the entertainment industry. “Elle Fanning” became the professional name she used as she built her successful acting career.

Geena Davis

The Oscar-winning actress was born Virginia Elizabeth Davis. She has gone by the nickname “Geena” since she was a child. The name is a shortened, phonetic version of her first name, Virginia.

When she began her career as a model and then an actress, she continued to use the nickname that she was already comfortable with. It became the professional name associated with her memorable roles.

Chevy Chase

The famous comedian and original cast member of Saturday Night Live was born Cornelius Crane Chase. The nickname “Chevy” was given to him by his grandmother when he was a child.

The name comes from “The Ballad of Chevy Chase,” a medieval English folk ballad. He has used this unique nickname for his entire life, and it became the quirky and memorable name for his comedy career.

Jackie Chan

The international martial arts superstar was born Chan Kong-sang in Hong Kong. He has had several different names throughout his life. As a child performer, he was part of a group called the Seven Little Fortunes.

When he worked in construction in Australia in his youth, his coworkers called him “Little Jack,” which was later shortened to “Jackie.” He adopted the name Jackie Chan, and it became the name he is known by all over the world.

Hulk Hogan

The professional wrestler and actor Hulk Hogan was born Terry Gene Bollea. He received his famous nickname early in his wrestling career. A television host noted that he was bigger than the actor who played the Hulk on TV.

The name “Hulk” stuck with him. The last name “Hogan” was given to him by wrestling promoter Vince McMahon Sr. to emphasize his Irish heritage to the audience. This created the iconic name “Hulk Hogan.”

Awkwafina

The actress and rapper Awkwafina was born Nora Lum. She created her stage name when she was a teenager. The name is a play on the water brand Aquafina.

She has said that the name represents her awkward and sometimes clumsy personality. It was a way to create a bold and memorable persona for her rap music and comedy, which eventually led to her successful acting career.

The Weeknd

The musician and actor known as The Weeknd was born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye. He has acted in and created the television show The Idol (2023). He came up with his stage name after leaving home as a teenager.

He left one weekend and never came back home. He originally wanted to call himself “The Weekend,” but there was already a Canadian band with that name. He dropped the “e” to avoid copyright issues, creating his unique spelling.

Jason Derulo

The singer and actor was born Jason Joel Desrouleaux. He has appeared in television shows and the movie Cats (2019). Early in his career, he decided to change his last name.

He chose “Derulo,” which is a phonetic spelling of his Haitian last name, Desrouleaux. This made it much easier for his fans to say and spell, and it helped him create a memorable brand as a pop artist.

Nicki Minaj

The rapper and actress was born Onika Tanya Maraj. She was given her stage name by a producer when she was first signed to a record label. She has said that she has never liked the name.

The producer changed “Maraj” to “Minaj.” She fought against the change but eventually went along with it. The name Nicki Minaj became her global brand, even though she prefers her birth name, Onika.

Gigi Hadid

The model and television personality Gigi Hadid was born Jelena Noura Hadid. She has appeared in reality shows and music videos. The nickname “Gigi” came from her mother when she was a child.

Her mother, Yolanda Hadid, started calling her Gigi at home. When she was in grade school, there was another girl named Helena, so her teacher asked her mother if she had a nickname. She started going by Gigi, and the name stuck.

Shirley MacLaine

The legendary actress Shirley MacLaine was born Shirley MacLean Beaty. She is the older sister of actor Warren Beatty. She changed her name early in her career.

She lengthened her middle name, MacLean, to “MacLaine” to create her professional surname. Her brother, Warren, chose to change the spelling of their original last name, Beaty, to “Beatty” for his own career.

Mickey Rooney

The classic Hollywood actor Mickey Rooney had a long career that started in childhood. He was born Joe Yule Jr. His parents were vaudeville performers, and he joined their act as a child.

He was first known as Mickey McGuire for a series of short films. After a legal dispute, his mother chose the new last name “Rooney” for him. The name Mickey Rooney became legendary over his many decades in film.

Ginger Rogers

The famous dancer and actress was born Virginia Katherine McMath. The nickname “Ginger” came from a young cousin who couldn’t pronounce “Virginia” correctly.

She got her professional last name, “Rogers,” after her mother remarried a man named John Rogers. Even though he never legally adopted her, she took his surname and it became the name she used for her iconic partnership with Fred Astaire.

Susan Sarandon

The Oscar-winning actress was born Susan Abigail Tomalin. She got her famous last name from her first husband, Chris Sarandon, who is also an actor.

She married him in college and took his surname. Even after they divorced, she kept the name “Sarandon” as her professional identity. It is the name under which she has built her long and successful acting career.

Tony Bennett

The legendary singer, who also appeared in films, was born Anthony Dominick Benedetto. He was discovered by the entertainer Bob Hope, who was instrumental in changing his name.

Hope did not like his stage name at the time, Joe Bari. He suggested he use an Americanized version of his birth name. “Anthony” became “Tony,” and “Benedetto” became “Bennett,” creating the name that would become famous worldwide.

Erykah Badu

The singer and actress was born Erica Abi Wright. She decided to change the spelling of her first name from “Erica” to “Erykah.” The “kah” part signifies the inner self.

She chose the last name “Badu” because it was a favorite jazz scat sound she used. It is also a term used by the Akan people in Ghana for the 10th-born child.

Tyga

The rapper and actor known as Tyga was born Micheal Ray Stevenson. He has said that his stage name is an acronym. It stands for “Thank You God Always.”

He was given the nickname by his mother, who used to call him a little Tiger Woods when he was a child. He combined this childhood nickname with the acronym to create his professional name.