2007-09-11 14:15:19 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Celebrities
In some instances it's for a flashier more "marketable" name. In some instances it's because someone else already holds a Union card with that name. In some instance a manager, studio or marketing person decided they needed a name. Some do it to help protect family privacy. Some do it to avoid marriage name problems. Some do it to avoid ethnic identification or to get ethnic identification.
Remember they're selling a dream here.
In his first movie the Governor of California was called Arnold Strong by some studio guy.
2007-09-11 14:27:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the celebrity. Some are young and struggling, and they get an agent that tells them that no one will want to hear anything from someone with a name like that. Other times, it may be their nickname.
Then there are others who don't care. Schwarzenegger was told in no uncertain terms that no one would go see a movie starring someone with that name. John Mellencamp was told the same thing, so he changed his name to Johnny Cougar. He hated it, and once he got established, went back to his birth name. Then there's Marvin Aday, who was called by everyone he knew "Meat Loaf". The name stuck, and he couldn't possibly go by the name Marvin.
Then there's Richard Starkey, who was in a band called Rory Storm & The Hurricanes. Everyone in the band took on stage names, just because it was the cool thing to do. Richard always wore lots of rings, so they shortened his last name to Starr, and gave him the first name Ringo. But he still goes by Richard when he's home. Ringo is the drummer on stage.
2007-09-11 21:49:39 · answer #2 · answered by vtothef 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because the name thomas mapother isn't really as catchy and dreamy as tom cruise... of course he is a total whack job now but still.
many people all over the country have gotten cursed with either a horrible or very plain first name, last or both and a name really does matter.
they are selling themselves, just like any product and a better name will definitely help.
2007-09-11 21:27:29 · answer #3 · answered by somebody's a mom!! 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They don't like how it sounds.....or sometimes another celebrity already has that name.
2007-09-11 21:32:16 · answer #4 · answered by daljack -a girl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its not that they change there birth name, they just get a stage name when they get into the bussines due to the stage name is better than there actual name.....
2007-09-11 21:25:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
because their parents gave them horrible birth names
2007-09-11 21:28:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋