What’s in a name? Are you named after a relative or perhaps your mother’s favorite literary character? Does your name represent a family legacy or your heritage?
Whatever your name means, most of us, at one point or another, have wished that we could change our names. Michael wants to be Joseph and Julia wants to be Miranda – isn’t that how the story goes?When it comes to celebrities, however, it turns out that everything is actually in a name. Selecting the perfect stage name could be a make or break affair as it’s a way to build a new identity among audiences. Celebrities treat their stage names like brand recognition as their audiences and fans will see and recognize their names scrolling on the silver screen or shining brightly on the marquee.
Yet, celebrities are often just like the rest of us in that they’re given pretty normal names. How could their parents possibly know they were destined for the spotlights of Hollywood? Because of this, celebrities often face the dilemma of picking out the perfect stage name while remaining true to their heritage and who they are.
From simple surname switches to mispronounced blunders, we found 24 celebrities who you had no idea were actually using fake names throughout their careers. Will you be shocked to learn the real name behind the celeb? Let’s take a look!
#24 – Kirk Douglas (Issur Danielovitch)
Kirk Douglas (Issur Danielovitch) |
Long before Hollywood, however, Kirk Douglas was someone entirely different – in name, that is. The son of Jewish immigrants from present-day Belarus, Douglas was born in Amsterdam, New York in 1916 as Issur Danielovitch. As the family adopted a new surname – Demsky – to mark their fresh start in the United States, the young Douglas grew up as Izzy Demsky until he legally changed his name to Kirk Douglas before joining the Navy during World War II. And, as the saying goes, “The rest is history!”
#23 – Alan Alda (Alphonso Joseph D’Abruzzo)
First working as an improv comedy actor in the 1950s, Alan Alda made his way to Broadway where his stellar performance in the 1966 musical The Apple Tree earned him a Tony Award nomination. Making his Hollywood acting debut shortly after, Alda appeared in smaller films until he was cast in the role of a lifetime as Hawkeye Pierce in the television series M*A*S*H from 1972 to 1983. A perfect fit for the character, Alda won five Emmy Awards and became the first person to ever win an Emmy for acting, writing and directing the same series.
Alan Alda (Alphonso Joseph D’Abruzzo) |
#22 – Albert Brooks (Albert Lawrence Einstein) From first appearing on variety and talk shows throughout the late 1960s to his filmmaking debut in the 1970s, comedian Albert Brooks has had widespread success throughout his career. Known for his egotistical, nervous and narcissistic on-stage wit, Brooks has proven himself as quite the savvy writer, director and voice actor with films such as Finding Nemo, The Simpsons, Modern Romance, Lost in America and Defending Your Life.
Alan Alda (Alphonso Joseph D’Abruzzo) |
#21 – Natalie Portman (Neta-Lee Hershlag) Cast as Padme Amidala in the Star Wars prequel trilogy when she was just 18 years old, Natalie Portman has achieved incredible success as an actress, producer and director (and she’s only 34 years old!). Since her Star Wars debut in 1999, Portman has earned critical acclaim for her award-winning performances in films such as V for Vendetta, The Other Boleyn Girl, Thor and Black Swan, which earned Portman her first Academy Award.
Natalie Portman (Neta-Lee Hershlag) |
#20 – Gene Simmons (Chaim Weitz) Better recognized as “The Demon,” Gene Simmons is a legendary rock and roller who is known for his incredible talent and showmanship in one of the hottest rock bands in the world, KISS. The co-founder, bass player and co-lead singer of the band, Simmons and his bandmates have sold out venues around the world thanks to hits like “Rock And Roll All Nite”, “Detroit Rock City” and even ballads like “Beth.”
Gene Simmons (Chaim Weitz) |
#19 – Jon Stewart (Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz) First launching his career in stand-up comedy, Jon Stewart took his sense of humor to television in 1991 as host of Short Attention Span Theater on Comedy Central. With obvious talent, MTV gave Stewart his own show, The Jon Stewart Show, and the opportunity to host You Wrote It, You Watch It. In 1999, Stewart returned to Comedy Central where he hosted The Daily Show until 2015, winning 22 Primetime Emmy Awards in the process.
Jon Stewart (Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz) |
#18 – Joaquin Phoenix (Joaquin Rafael Bottom) Raised in a famous family in front of a movie camera, it’s no surprise that Joaquin Phoenix is a bit of an enigmatic figure in Hollywood. Starting his career in television with his brother, River, and sister, Summer, he landed his first major role as a child actor in the 1989 film Parenthood. From there, he was cast in larger roles where he was awarded for his stellar performance in films such as Gladiator, Walk the Line and The Master.
Joaquin Phoenix (Joaquin Rafael Bottom) |
#17 – Eric Bana (Eric Banadinovic) Shockingly enough, Eric Bana actually launched his career as a comedian in the 1990s on the series Full Frontal before he was cast in more serious roles. A native of Australia, Bana spent a decade rising to fame in Australian television and film until he stole the Hollywood spotlight with his epic performance in Black Hawk Down. From there, he was cast as Hulk/Bruce Banner in Marvel Comics’ Hulk and has since appeared in films including Troy, Munich and Lone Survivor.
Eric Bana (Eric Banadinovic) |
#16 – Diane Keaton (Diane Hall) Launching her career on Broadway in the late 1960s, Diane Keaton is one of the most talented actresses in Hollywood. Making her film debut in Woody Allen’s Play It Again, Sam, Keaton’s career got off to a great start with a Tony Award nomination. With obvious on screen talent, Keaton was then cast opposite Al Pacino in The Godfather. From there, her career blossomed with award-winning performances in Sleeper, Annie Hall, Father of the Bride, The First Wives Club and The Family Stone.
Born as Diane Hall, Keaton only changed her name because of a conflict with someone registered by the same name with the Screen Actors Guild (not the last time that we’ll see this on the list). Adopting her mother’s maiden name to distinguish herself from the other Diane, Keaton’s name change might have more to it than just that.
Diane Keaton (Diane Hall) |
#15 – Louis C.K. (Louis Szekely) From an unknown comedian opening for Jerry Seinfeld to selling out Madison Square Garden three times in a single tour, Louis C.K. was just another dark and self-deprecating stand-up comedian until he put pen to paper. Writing for comedians like David Letterman, Conan O’Brien and Chris Rock throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Louis quickly proved his talent and landed his first HBO sitcom, Lucky Louie, in 2006.
Louis C.K. (Louis Szekely) |
Phonetically speaking, Louis C.K. never actually had to change his name since his given name, Louis Szekely, is pronounced the exact same way. Born in 1967 in Washington, D.C., Louis is of Hungarian heritage and spent his early childhood in Mexico until his family returned to the United States. After his parents divorced in 1977, Louis was inspired by his mother’s “bad television” because he knew that he could do better. Pursuing a career on stage, Louis quickly realized that his last name was far from memorable or easy to spell, which led him to do the world a huge favor by abbreviating it! And for that, we thank you!
#14 – Michael Caine (Maurice Joseph Micklewhite) One of the most well-known and highly sought after actors over the past 50 years, Michael Caine has appeared in over 120 films throughout his stellar career. First making his debut in the 1960s with British films like Zulu, Alfie and The Italian Job, his award-winning performances include films such as Sleuth, Educating Rita, Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules.
Michael Caine (Maurice Joseph Micklewhite) |
#13 – Michael Keaton (Michael John Douglas) What’s the 1980s in Hollywood without the quirky and lovable Michael Keaton? First rising to fame for his comedic roles in films like Night Shift, Mr. Mom and Beetlejuice, Keaton became an A-lister in 1989 for his breakout performance as Bruce Wayne in Tim Burton’s Batman. Since then, he has appeared in numerous films and has recently earned critical praise for his award-winning performance in the 2014 film Birdman.
Michael Keaton (Michael John Douglas) |
#12 – Woody Allen (Allan Stewart Konigsberg) Recognized by Comedy Central as the fourth greatest stand-up comedian of all time, Woody Allen’s career spans 50 years with 24 Academy Award nominations and four wins. First working as a comedy writer in the 1950s, Allen started publishing his own material before launching his career as a stand-up comedian. From there, he took an interest in filmmaking, which would forever change his career with legendary hit films like Annie Hall, Manhattan, Stardust Memories, Match Point and The Purple Rose of Cairo.
Woody Allen (Allan Stewart Konigsberg) |
#11 – Winona Ryder (Winona Laura Horowitz) Recognized as one of the most iconic actresses of the 1990s, Winona Ryder made her first major film debut as a teenager in Tim Burton’s 1988 film Beetlejuice. Earning praise for her performance, the sky was the limit as Ryder proved her talent in a variety of award-winning roles in films such as Edward Scissorhands, The Age of Innocence, Girl Interrupted, Star Trek and Black Swan.
Winona Ryder (Winona Laura Horowitz) |
#10 – Miley Cyrus (Destiny Hope Cyrus) Whether your love her or hate her, it’s undeniable that Miley Cyrus is one of the most polarizing singers in the music industry today. First becoming famous as a tween icon on the Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana, Cyrus proved she was more than just an actress when she showed her chops on the show. Today, with numerous number one records and an Artist of the Year award from MTV, Cyrus is still surprising fans with hits like “Party in the U.S.A.” and “Wrecking Ball.”
Miley Cyrus (Destiny Hope Cyrus) |
#9 – Olivia Wilde (Olivia Jane Cockburn) With many minor roles throughout her early career, it wasn’t until Olivia Wilde was cast as Remy Hadley on the Fox series House that she became a household name. Spending five years with Hugh Laurie and the House cast, Wilde left the series to pursue a career in film and quickly landed roles in Tron: Legacy, Her, Drinking Buddies and Rush. Apart from her stunning beauty and exoticism, Wilde is also known as PETA’s Sexiest Vegetarian.
Olivia Wilde (Olivia Jane Cockburn) |
#8 – Michael J. Fox (Michael Andrew Fox) First debuting in film and television in the 1970s, Michael J. Fox won the hearts of audiences in 1982 as everyone’s favorite big brother, Alex P. Keaton, on the NBC series Family Ties. Winning three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for his role on the series, Fox was then cast as Marty McFly in the iconic Back to the Future trilogy. In yet another move, Fox joined ABC’s Spin City from 1996 to 2001 earning even more recognition for his stellar talent.
Michael J. Fox (Michael Andrew Fox) |
#7 – Tina Fey (Elizabeth Stamatina Fey) One of America’s favorite comedians, Tina Fey launched her career as an improv actor who luckily landed a spot on Saturday Night Live as a writer in 1998. A perfect fit on the show, Fey stayed with SNL until 2006 when she left to create a spinoff based on her SNL experiences in the Emmy award-winning television series 30 Rock. With her mind and energy on overdrive, Fey has worked nonstop on writing and starring in hits such as Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Mean Girls, and Baby Mama.
Tina Fey (Elizabeth Stamatina Fey) |
#6 – Katy Perry (Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson) The highest earning singer in the world today, Katy Perry is a global sensation whose humble beginnings must seem like a lifetime ago after she made it big with her 2008 hit “I Kissed a Girl.” Since then, Perry has set record after record and earned numerous awards including four Guinness World Records, five American Music Awards and 14 People’s Choice Awards for hits like “California Gurls”, “Teenage Dream”, “Roar” and “Firework.”
aty Perry (Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson) |
#5 – Tim Allen (Timothy Allen Dick) “What’s it need? More power!” Yet another comedian on our list, Tim Allen got his first big taste of success in the early 1990s when he was cast in the lead role on the ABC hit series Home Improvement. As the star of the most watched show on television, Allen became a household name known for his macho wit, constant need for “more power” and Mr. Fix-It mentality. Ending the series in 1999, he then went on to star in The Santa Clause, Toy Story, Galaxy Quest and Wild Hogs.
Tim Allen (Timothy Allen Dick) |
#4 – Julianne Moore (Julie Anne Smith)
Barely looking a day over 40, the 54-year-old Julianne Moore actually got her start in the 1980s as a soap opera star on As the World Turns, which earned her a Daytime Emmy Award. Making her film debut in 1990 in Tales from the Darkside: The Movie, Moore received critical praise for her award-winning performances in films such as Boogie Nights, The End of the Affair, Far from Heaven and The Hours.
Like so many other actors on our list, Julianne Moore was a bit too late when it came time to register her name with the Screen Actors Guild. Born as Julie Anne Smith, the young Hollywood star discovered that there was already someone registered as both Julie Anne Smith and Julie Smith. Hating the idea of changing her name or offending her family, Moore decided to honor them by combing her first and middle names and taking her father’s middle name – Moore – as her new surname. Now that’s a wonderful and thoughtful compromise!
#3 – Nicki Minaj (Onika Tanya Maraj) A native of Trinidad and Tobago, Nicki Minaj launched herself into stardom after she released three mixtapes between 2007 and 2009. Signing her first contract with Young Money Entertainment in 2009 and releasing her first album, Pink, in 2010, Minaj became a hit making machine who was named as the first female to have seven different songs in the Top 100 charts at the same time!
Julianne Moore (Julie Anne Smith) |
#2 – Emma Stone (Emily Jean Stone) Making her first Hollywood debut in the 2007 comedy Superbad, Emma Stone became an overnight sensation and was soon cast as the lead in the 2010 comedy hit Easy A. Since then, Stone has proven her dynamic talent in a variety of roles in films like Woody Allen’s Magic in the Moonlight, Birdman and Crazy, Stupid, Love.
Perhaps one of the least drastic name changes on our list, Stone was actually born as Emily Jean Stone in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1988. Known by her family and friends as Emily Jean, Stone went to register with the Screen Actors Guild only to discover that the name was already taken. First choosing to go by Corey Stone, it wasn’t until after she appeared on an episode of Malcolm in the Middle that she decided to change her stage name to Emma, a nickname that her mother had given her as a child.
#1 – Audrey Hepburn (Audrey Kathleen Ruston) One of the most iconic women in the history of both film and fashion, Audrey Hepburn was at the peak of her career during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Truly a legend, Hepburn was one of the most sought after leading ladies thanks to her award-winning performances in films such as Roman Holiday, Sabrina, Charade and Breakfast At Tiffany’s.
Born in Belgium in 1929, Hepburn was originally named Audrey Kathleen Ruston. Her father, Joseph Victor Anthony Ruston, was an honorary British consul in the Dutch East Indies who, at one point, married a Dutch heiress. Changing his name to something more “aristocratic” to reflect his believed kinship to James Hepburn, Ruston decided to hyphenate his surname as Hepburn-Ruston. After working as a model, Audrey ultimately decided to drop Ruston from her name completely, taking on a name that may have never actually been a family tie. Source: Online