Why do actors change their names?

[StarsOfCCTV]

Why do actors have to change their names? David Tenant said he changed his last name on Top Gear and I read in the TV guide that Georgia Taylor (Ruth-Casualty) was born Claire Jackson..

Just curious :p

[Abigail]

No two actors can have the same name. I don't know why.

Some people have to change their name to get noticed. Elton John was born Reginald Dwight. Nobody would take him seriously with that name.

[Katy]

Its like Cilla Balck is Priscill White, i think its odd people change there name.

[Jessie Wallace]

It's because of the Actor's Equity, no two actors can have the same name. It's why Jack P Sherpherd use's the p, as there is already a Jack Shepherd, and the same with Jessie Wallace, her real name is Karen, Jessie is her grandma's name.

You can read about it here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actors'_Equity_Association

[Perdita]

Some celebrities get advised to change their names by their agents to make them more sellable. If the name rolls off your tongue better or is unusual so it sticks in your mind better, you are more likely to listen to their music/watch their films etc.

[Siobhan]

how many people would watch a movie staring Archie leach?? (Cary grant)...

[Katy]

thats a good point actually.

I was aware of the equity situation just didnt think that much about.

[Perdita]

how many people would watch a movie staring Archie leach?? (Cary grant)...
Or Marion Morrison (John Wayne)

[Siobhan]

how many people would watch a movie staring Archie leach?? (Cary grant)...
Or Marion Morrison (John Wayne)

and can anyone take a wrestler serious if his name is Shirley Crabtree (giant haystacks)

[Perdita]

how many people would watch a movie staring Archie leach?? (Cary grant)...
Or Marion Morrison (John Wayne)

and can anyone take a wrestler serious if his name is Shirley Crabtree (giant haystacks)
Mr Crabtree was "Big Daddy", Giant Haystacks' name was Martin Ruane. They certainly did well changing their names. :lol:

[Luna]

PERFORMERS


Celebrated Names (and Their Real Names)


Allen, Woody (Allen Stewart Konigsberg)


Astaire, Fred (Frederick Austerlitz)


Bacall, Lauren (Betty Perske)


Ball, Lucille (Dianne Belmont)


Bara, Theda (Theodosia Goodman)


Benny, Jack (Benny Kubelsky)


Bernhardt, Sarah (Rosine Bernard)


Burton, Richard (Richard Jenkins)


Callas, Maria (Cecilia S. A. M. Kalogeropoulos)


Cantor, Eddie (Izzie Itskowitz)


Cliburn, Van (Harvey Lavan)


Colbert, Claudette (Lily Chauchoin)


Crosby, Bing (Harry Crosby)


Curtis, Tony (Bernie Schwartz)


Davies, Marion (Marion Douras)


Day, Doris (Doris Kapelhoff)


Dietrich, Marlene (Magdalene von Losch)


Faye, Alice (Ann Leppert)


Fields, W. C. (Claude William Dukenfield)


Foxx, Redd (John Elroy Sanford)


Garbo, Greta (Greta Gustaffson)


Gardner, Ava (Lucy Johnson)


Garland, Judy (Frances Gumm)


Goddard, Paulette (Pauline Levy)


Goulet, Robert (Stanley Applebaum)


Grant, Cary (Archibald Leach)


Hayworth, Rita (Margarita Cansino)


Karloff, Boris (William Henry Pratt)


Lamarr, Hedy (Hedwig Kiesler)


Lewis, Jerry (Joseph Levitch)


Loren, Sophia (Sofia Scicolone)


Martin, Dean (Dino Crocetti)


Mistinguett (Jeanne Bourgeois)


Monroe, Marilyn (Norma Jean Baker)


Muni, Paul (Muni Neisenfreund)


Negri, Pola (Appolina Chapulez)


Pickford, Mary (Gladys Smith)


Robinson, Edward G. (Emmanuel Goldberg)


Rogers, Roy (Leonard Slye)


Shaw, Artie (Arthur Arshawsky)


Wayne, John (Marion Morrison)

[Luna]

Cary Grant -- Archibald Alexander Leach
Whoopi Goldberg -- Caryn Johnson
Hulk Hogan -- Terry Jean Bollette
Elton John -- Reginald Kenneth Dwight
Michael Keaton -- Michael Douglas - omg didnt know that one!!
Ben Kingsley -- Krishna Bhanji
Bruce Lee -- Lee Yuen Kam
Chuck Norris -- Carlos Ray Norris
Winona Ryder -- Winona Horowitz
Prince -- Prince Rogers Nelson
Charlie Sheen -- Carlos Irwin Estevez
Martin Sheen -- Ramon Estevez
Christopher Walken -- Ronald Walken
Alicia Keys -- Alicia Augello Cook

[Abbie]

Hmm I think it is odd, If I became an actor I wouldnt need to change my name :lol:

[.:SpIcYsPy:.]

I never knew that :eek: I thought they just wanted to change their names because they themselves wanted to. :eek: