Latino Actors who Changed Their Name for Hollywood

Stage names have always been part of show business, and many Latino actors have adjusted or reinvented their names to fit studio systems, union rules, or simple readability on a marquee. Some chose an English-language version of a given name, others shortened long compound surnames common in Spanish-speaking countries, and a few adopted a parent’s or step-parent’s last name. These changes didn’t erase heritage—most continued to speak openly about their roots while building careers across film and television. Here are notable examples, from classic Hollywood to today.

Oscar Isaac

Born Óscar Isaac Hernández Estrada in Guatemala to a Cuban father and Guatemalan mother, he uses the shortened professional name Oscar Isaac. He dropped his second surname in line with common U.S. billing practices that favor one family name. Isaac’s early breakout came with ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’ and he went on to major roles in ‘Ex Machina’, ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’, and Marvel’s ‘Moon Knight’. He has also worked extensively in theater, balancing mainstream franchises with independent projects.

Pedro Pascal

Pedro Pascal was born José Pedro Balmaceda Pascal in Santiago, Chile. He adopted his mother’s surname, Pascal, and streamlined his given names for credits after his family resettled in the United States. His television rise included ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Narcos’, followed by headlining roles in ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘The Last of Us’. Pascal has also appeared in films like ‘Kingsman: The Golden Circle’ and ‘Wonder Woman 1984’.

Andy García

Andy Garcia’s full birth name is Andrés Arturo García Menéndez, born in Havana, Cuba. He shortened both given names and surnames for American screens, a common practice for readability and concise billing. Garcia gained wide recognition with ‘The Untouchables’ and ‘The Godfather Part III’. His career spans dramas and thrillers, including ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ and ‘The Mule’.

Jay Hernandez

Jay Hernandez was born Javier Manuel Hernandez Jr. in Los Angeles to Mexican-American parents. He shortened “Javier” to “Jay” and dropped the suffix for professional use. Hernandez first drew attention in ‘Crazy/Beautiful’ and later starred in films like ‘Hostel’ and ‘Suicide Squad’. He leads the television reboot ‘Magnum P.I.’ as Thomas Magnum.

Cheech Marin

Comedian and actor Cheech Marin was born Richard Anthony Marin in Los Angeles. “Cheech” began as a childhood nickname that became his stage identity as he entered entertainment. He rose to fame with the Cheech & Chong comedy albums and films such as ‘Up in Smoke’. Marin has since built a varied acting career, including roles in ‘Tin Cup’ and voice work in ‘Cars’.

Freddie Prinze

Freddie Prinze’s birth name was Frederick Karl Pruetzel; his mother was Puerto Rican and his father of German-Hungarian descent. He adopted “Freddie Prinze” as a stage name early in stand-up, then carried it into television. Prinze starred on the hit sitcom ‘Chico and the Man’, becoming one of the era’s most recognizable Latino performers. His legacy continued through his son, Freddie Prinze Jr., an actor in film and TV.

Clifton Collins Jr.

Clifton Collins Jr., born Clifton Craig Collins Jr., briefly worked under the stage name Clifton Gonzalez Gonzalez to honor his grandfather, character actor Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez. He later reverted to his legal surname for credits in mainstream film and TV. Collins’ notable projects include ‘Traffic’, ‘Capote’, and ‘Westworld’. He has also appeared in ‘Pacific Rim’ and ‘Nightmare Alley’.

J. D. Pardo

J. D. Pardo was born Jorge Daniel Pardo in Los Angeles to Argentine and Salvadoran parents. He adopted initials in place of his given names for screen credits. Pardo’s television work includes ‘Revolution’ and ‘Mayans M.C.’, where he plays Ezekiel “EZ” Reyes. He has also appeared in films such as ‘A Cinderella Story’ and ‘The Burning Plain’.

Tony Revolori

Tony Revolori was born Anthony Quiñonez to Guatemalan parents. He uses “Revolori,” a family name adopted for professional purposes, and shortened “Anthony” to “Tony.” Revolori broke out in ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ as Zero Moustafa. He later joined major franchises with roles in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ and ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’.

Danny Pino

Born Daniel Gonzalo Pino in Miami to Cuban parents, he shortened “Daniel” to “Danny” for credits. Pino became widely known for his role as Detective Scotty Valens on ‘Cold Case’. He later starred as Nick Amaro on ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’. Additional work includes ‘Mayans M.C.’ and ‘The Good Fight’.

Eugenio Derbez

Mexican star Eugenio Derbez’s full name is Eugenio González Derbez. Following Spanish naming customs, he chose to use his maternal surname professionally and dropped the compound paternal-maternal format for U.S. billing. Derbez crossed over with ‘Instructions Not Included’ and has acted in ‘How to Be a Latin Lover’. He has also produced and starred in the Oscar-winning ‘CODA’.

Demián Bichir

Demián Bichir was born Demián Bichir Nájera in Mexico City. He streamlined his name by using his paternal surname only, which is typical when moving from Spanish-language credits to Hollywood. Bichir earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘A Better Life’. His filmography spans ‘The Hateful Eight’, ‘Alien: Covenant’, and the series ‘The Bridge’.

Diego Boneta

Diego Boneta’s birth name is Diego Andrés González Boneta. He uses his maternal surname professionally, dropping the compound two-surname form common in Latin America. Boneta starred in ‘Rock of Ages’ and led the series ‘Luis Miguel: The Series’. Additional roles include ‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ and ‘Scream Queens’.

William Levy

Cuban-born William Levy’s full name is William Levy Gutiérrez. Like many Spanish-speaking performers, he uses a single surname professionally rather than the compound paternal-maternal pairing. Levy transitioned from telenovelas to U.S. projects, appearing in films such as ‘Resident Evil: The Final Chapter’. He has also headlined Spanish-language series and reality television.

John Leguizamo

John Leguizamo’s full name is John Alberto Leguizamo Peláez, born in Bogotá, Colombia. He shortened his name to drop the maternal surname, standardizing credits to one last name in the U.S. market. Leguizamo’s work spans ‘Carlito’s Way’, ‘Moulin Rouge!’, and voice roles in ‘Ice Age’. He has also created acclaimed one-man shows adapted for TV and film.

Oscar Nuñez

Oscar Nunez, born Óscar Núñez in Cuba, typically drops the accent in English-language credits. He also uses a single surname for U.S. billing, consistent with industry norms. Nunez is best known for ‘The Office’ and has appeared in ‘The Proposal’ and ‘Reno 911!’. His career extends to sketch and improv comedy as well as film and television guest roles.

Steven Bauer

Steven Bauer was born Esteban Ernesto Echevarría Samson in Havana, Cuba. He Anglicized “Esteban” to “Steven” and later took “Bauer,” his stepfather’s surname, for screen use. Bauer’s breakthrough came with ‘Scarface’ as Manny Ribera. He has since appeared in ‘Ray Donovan’ and numerous film and TV projects.

Henry Darrow

Puerto Rican actor Henry Darrow was born Enrique Tomás Delgado Jiménez. Early in his U.S. career, he adopted “Henry Darrow” to secure broader casting opportunities in television. Darrow is well known for ‘The High Chaparral’ and later roles in ‘Santa Barbara’. He also contributed voice work and guest appearances across network series.

Anthony Quinn

Anthony Quinn’s birth name was Antonio Rodolfo Quinn Oaxaca; he was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and raised in the United States. He shortened and Anglicized his given names for Hollywood credits. Quinn became a two-time Academy Award winner with roles in ‘Viva Zapata!’ and ‘Lust for Life’. He also starred in classics like ‘Zorba the Greek’ and ‘La Strada’.

Ramon Novarro

Silent-era star Ramón Novarro was born José Ramón Gil Samaniego in Mexico. He adopted “Ramon Novarro” as a stage name when he signed with U.S. studios during the 1920s. Novarro became a leading man with films such as ‘Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ’ (silent era adaptation) and ‘Mata Hari’. His career bridged silent and sound pictures, making him one of early Hollywood’s prominent Latino actors.

Gilbert Roland

Gilbert Roland, born Luis Antonio Dámaso de Alonso in Mexico, chose an English-language stage name drawn from silent-film idols John Gilbert and Ruth Roland. He began in the silent era and transitioned to talkies, often portraying romantic leads and later character roles. Roland’s credits include ‘The Bad and the Beautiful’ and ‘Bandido!’. He also appeared in numerous Westerns across film and television.

Cantinflas

Mexican icon Cantinflas was born Mario Fortino Alfonso Moreno Reyes. “Cantinflas” emerged as his stage persona in Mexico and carried into international releases, including his Golden Globe–winning turn in ‘Around the World in 80 Days’. In U.S. credits he was widely billed by the mononym tied to his screen character. He also produced and starred in Spanish-language films that circulated in U.S. markets.

Share your favorites or any names we missed in the comments!