Why do actors change their names?

Question

ive noticed that many famous actors use stage names rather than their names given to them at birth. why is this? is it better chances in the actor world or what? some actors change thier last names but keep their first. but others like carmen electra, real name tara leigh something, changes the entire name? why?

also, do they legally change it? if so, why would they go through this?

Answer 1

How far do you think Archibald Leach would have gotten in his acting career with his birth name. Just doesn't have much of a ring to it, does it?

Then there's Marion Morrison. Not sounding too much like the bigger than life hero type he was. In fact, he sounds a bit like a girl to me.

How about Frances Gumm. Who would have gone to see the Wizard of Oz starring Frances Gumm? Nobody!

Ever hear of Thomas Mapother? Keep thinking ... he starred in Top Gun, Mission Impossible, Jerry Maguire and A Few Good Men ... to mention a few.

Archibald Leach was Cary Grant, Marion Morrison was John Wayne, Frances Gumm was Judy Garland, and Thomas Mapother is Tom Cruise. You can probably see why these four, among many, change their names legally ... their careers depend on it!

Answer 2

Most actors want to register with screen actors guild. No two actors registered can have the same name, spelled the same way. Some opt to just change the spelling (Ex changing Jenny Smith to Jennie Smyth), but most, planning on becoming incredibly famous change their name entirely, so as not to be confused with someone with a similar name. Many actors also change their name to maintain privacy for their family members and themselves, as court papers would still be in their birth name. Others just want something that sounds familiar, and recognizable. Most do not legally change their name, it is about the same as when a writer creates something under a pen name, merely a formality.

Answer 3

Along with having a not-so-attractive name, many actors are forced to change their names by the Union. There can only be one "John Smith" in the Union, no matter how many "John Smith"s apply. So if a name is already taken, many actors will have to come up with a different one.

Answer 4

Michael J. Fox wanted to join the union as Michael Fox, but there was already an actor registered under that name. Michael Keaton is named Michael Douglas, but there is already a Michael Douglas.

Actors can register with the union under a stage name without having to legally change their names.

Answer 5

And let's not forget the English actor James Stewart who had to change his name when he came to the States.

And the ever famous Marion Michael Morrison, and Morris Michelwhite.

Stewart Granger, John Wayne and Michael Caine, respectively.

Answer 6

Unless they're a rapper, nowadays more actors/musicians and whatnot are keeping their own names as opposed to previous years. Back in the day, studios were very concerned with people's names being too "ethnic" sounding and wanted names that had mass appeal and flowed. I.e. Norma Jeane Mortenson to Marilyn Monroe - from podunk to sex symbol. Today, people are proud of their heritage. For those that do change their name it may be to hide thier true identities to keep their families from being hounded by the media or to set up an alter ego for themselves to differentiate from life in the spot light to normal life. This helps them distance themselves from the persona they've created.

Answer 7

Sometimes to make their names more memorable / catchy and more importantly because Equity membership (which most actors have) dictates that two members cannot have the same name.

Answer 8

excellent, MADDOG, I didn't know there were other people out there who knew this! This is quite true and you know sometimes NOT changing your name can be a pain!! Take Ronald Reagan,,
he went through his presidency with people kidding him about all his movies with Bonzo the chimp and who should Really be Pres!