Up until recently, Hollywood was not known for being incredibly appreciative of anyone that didn’t sound American. While there are plenty of beloved actors from across the world that feature in our favorite Hollywood blockbusters, you might be surprised at how many of them changed their names to sound more hirable. The same sadly goes for the music industry, where some of the biggest artists in history had birth names that they feared would not have raked in many record sales. Here are some of the most famous people in the world, with the most incredible name changes.
The Celebrities Who Took A Different Name For Fame And Glory
Jamie Foxx
Now, we don’t think that there is anything wrong with this name, but if you are aiming to become the star of many awesome action films like Django Unchained or Baby Driver, you might want something that sounds slicker. Jamie Foxx is not just a fantastic actor, but a beautiful singer, too. He is also incredibly funny, having done his fair share of comedy shows and celebrity roasts. He is a versatile actor and multi-talented star.
Jamie Foxx
Michael Caine
Next up is perhaps the most charming sounding name, Michael Caine. As suave as his current name is, you might not believe what a mouthful his original one was: Maurice Joseph Micklewhite Jr. Fans of the American version of The Office will appreciate Caine’s previously used name for the theatre, Michael Scott! Michael Caine has been in the film and theatre industry for many years now. Some of his earliest films included the historical war film, Zulu. He is famous for his cockney accent and mature charm. His leading roles in modern times were as Batman’s butler in The Dark Knight trilogy. His leading role was in Hannah and Her Sisters, in which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Michael Caine
Elton John
The Rocket Man himself took the snazzy and significant name of Elton John of “Reginald Kenneth Dwight”. The choice was inspired in honor of a pair of his favorite artists, Long John Baldry the singer, and Elton Dean the saxophonist. Elton John rose from middle-class England to become one of the world’s most successful, influential, and well-loved artists ever to have been born. His career spans dozens of monumental hits like Your Song, Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, and Tiny Dancer.
Elton John
Idris Elba
This British hunky actor made it onto this list, not for a name change, but more of a shortening. Idris Elba chopped some parts out of his birth name, “Idrissa Akuna Elba”. You might think that this is a much more palatable name for non-African Europeans and Americans, but we would prefer to call him by his full name. Elba rocked the film industry with his no-nonsense, hyper-macho presence, bringing a suave and charismatic energy to his films.
Idris Elba
Bob Dylan
Perhaps the most legendary artist of all time, “Robert Allen Zimmerman” is the lesser-known original name that Bob Dylan went by as a child. Dylan began experimenting with “Robert Allyn” prior to being inspired by poet Dylan Thomas’s work. He then took the poet’s surname as his first and put the shortened version of Robert at the end. Few singer-songwriters are regarded as highly as Dylan is, who has been an incredibly influential figure for more than five decades.
Bob Dylan
Charlie Sheen
Perhaps the most controversial and badly behaved member of Hollywood is Charlie Sheen, known for his bad-boy attitude, penchant for inebriation, and classic comedy films like Hot Shots! You might be surprised to learn that Charlie had a Spanish name originally, “Carlos Irwin Estévez! As for his father, Martin Sheen, he also ditched the Spanish name he was born with, Ramón Gerardo Antonio Estévez. It must be strange calling your father by a new name, and vice versa.
Charlie Sheen
Joaquin Phoenix
When Joaquin’s brother, River, dropped the “Bottom” surname and replaced it with Phoenix, you can bet that Joaquin followed through with the same strategy quickly. Originally, Joaquin Phoenix was called “Joaquin Rafael Bottom”. Perhaps in a bid to be taken more seriously as aspiring actors with a talent for dramatic performances, the brothers decided that Phoenix sounded far more severe than Bottom. Joaquin is a dedicated vegan beyond his fantastic film career. His latest leading performance was in the controversial Joker comic-book thriller.
Joaquin Phoenix
John Legend
Rhythm and Blues ‘legend’ John Legend has been serenading us for many years now. But his efforts in charming his millions of listeners might not have gone down as well if he had stuck with his birth name, “John Roger Stephens”. It was upon being signed by the record label belonging to Kanye West that John was informed that his name sounded far too historical for modern R&B sensibilities. Like or not, John changed his name to something far more legendary.
John Legend
Bruno Mars
While there are many celebrities walking around today with new names that you could never guess were not their first, there is little doubt that Bruno Mars is an original. Rather, the pop sensation’s birth name was Peter Gene Hernandez. A perfectly normal name – which was what pushed Mars to opt for a more exotic title, maybe even from another world… He also did not want to be associated with Enrique Iglesias’ legacy, wishing to break out on his own.
Bruno Mars
Nicolas Cage
The weird and wonderful Nicolas Cage is closely related to the iconic auteur, Francis Ford Coppola. In a bid to separate himself from the Coppola clan and make his own fortunes, “Nicolas Coppola” became Nicolas Cage. This edgy-sounding change worked for Nic, but we doubt that all the essence of nepotism disappeared from his career path. Nicolas Cage has had more memes made about him than he has starred in obscure B-films, and we love him for it.
Nicolas Cage
Vin Diesel
Now, there is no way on Earth that anyone has the natural name of Vin Diesel. Regardless, “Mark Sinclair” decided that his name was far too innocent sounding for his career built on action and sci-fi classics. Vin Diesel has appeared in many phenomenal film franchises, such as The Chronicles of Riddick and The Fast and the Furious. Despite his hardcore name and appearance, Vin is a big fan of the nerdy realms, particularly Dungeons & Dragons.
Vin Diesel
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt is American film’s most essential heartthrob that is part of the elite inner circle of Hollywood’s most successful and renowned actors. He also changed his name from “William Bradley Pitt” to the simpler “Brad Pitt”. We must admit that his current name is far sexier and punchier, rolling off the tongue far better. Brad was formerly married to Angelina Jolie, whose combined troubled family life and Pitt’s apparent failures as a father and husband led to their inevitable split.
Brad Pitt
Aaron Paul
Born “Aaron Paul Sturtevant”, Aaron Paul did not exactly change his name, he just ditched the last part and took his middle name as his last. People seemed unable to get his original and rather tricky surname right, and so he decided to make his colleagues’ and fans’ lives easier. Aaron Paul first came to our attention in the monumentally acclaimed thriller drama series, Breaking Bad, where he played the troubled and volatile Jesse Pinkman.
Aaron Paul
Tom Hardy
British heartbreaker and actor Tom Hardy decided that his middle name was preferable to his first when he chopped and changed his birth name, “Edward Thomas Hardy”. We must agree that ‘Tom’ sounds much cooler and sexier than Edward, which is perhaps a little antiquated for the edgy bad boy character actor that he would soon become. Hardy has appeared in all manner of grim and intense films and series, such as The Dark Knight Rises.
Tom Hardy
George Michael
The late and great George Michael rocked the world many times over with his decades’ long musical career. The former Wham! member condensed his Greek birth name, “Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou”. Michael’s greatest hits include Careless Whisper, Jesus to a Child, and Father Figure. That being said, we also loved his time in Wham!, with classic tracks like Last Christmas, Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, and Everything She Wants. We miss you, George! May you rest in peace.
George Michael
Jonah Hill
Like many actors with European-sounding names, Jonah Hill changed his birth one, “Jonah Hill Feldstein”. Perhaps he thought that his big break in Superbad would not have been possible unless he had a catchier title. Jonah Hill may be one of the funnier actors in Hollywood today, having left us in stitches more often than most of his contemporaries, but that has not stopped the actor from suffering the wrong kind of attention due to his physical appearance.
Jonah Hill
Fred Astaire
Born “Frederick Austerlitz”, Fred Astaire was borne of the same logic that Rock Hudson followed in needing a more stage-friendly name that the people could get behind (and pronounce). He was one of the most exciting and talented dancers ever to have taken to the stage. Many consider Astaire to be the most inspiring dancer to have ever appeared before a camera. Incredibly, Astaire would not stop acting and dancing for 76 years! Now that is a phenomenal run.
Fred Astaire
Dean Martin
“Dino Crocetti” decided that Dean Martin was American enough to afford him a shot at fame and fortune. Few actors have possessed the phenomenal combination of an incredible singing voice, a gut-busting sense of humor, and fine acting skills that Martin enjoyed. It was in 1946 that Dean Martin took to the stage with his fellow comedian Jerry Lewis to being their long-running show, Martin & Lewis. After many successful nightclub shows, the hilarious duo broke into film, radio, and television.
Dean Martin
Antonio Banderas
The Spanish actor Antonio Banderas was born “José Antonio Domínguez Bandera”. Banderas decided to drop his first and third names and add an “s” to Bandera. Banderas is an incredibly successful actor who claimed a Cannes Best Actor Award, and was nominated for countless others, including a couple of Primetime Emmy Awards, an Academy Award, five Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award. Banderas’ earliest films included the violent shoot ‘em up classic, Desperado directed by Robert Rodriguez.
Antonio Banderas
Ralph Lauren
Have you ever looked at the various leading fashion designers’ names and wondered if they were too fancy to be real? Well, in Ralph Lauren’s case, this is so, as his original name was “Ralph Lifshitz”. The many models and celebrities that have donned the American designer’s garbs might not have been that interested in something with “Lifshitz” on the label. Not that you could tell the billionaire designer that, as he is rich enough to buy the rights to your name.
Ralph Lauren
Ben Affleck
From writing films with his working partner and good friend Matt Damon with classic films like Good Will Hunting, to starring in one of the worst films ever made, called Gigli, Ben Affleck has had a colorful and fascinating career. But the hunky and now mature actor had a far mouthier name once, “Benjamin Géza Affleck-Boldt”. Casey Affleck, Ben’s younger brother and fellow actor, dropped his birth name too, “Caleb Casey McGuire Affleck-Boldt”. The brothers hacked the chunkier parts out of their original names.
Ben Affleck
Zayn Malik
Pop sensation Zayn Malik simply dropped his middle name, “Javadd”, and changed the spelling of his first name, “Zain” to replace the “i” with a “y”. The British songwriter and singer might not have much success on his own in 2010 when he entered The X Factor, being ousted not long into the singing competition. But when he returned later with his fellow One Direction, things went incredibly well for the future superstars. Zayn would later break out with his own successful solo career.
Zayn Malik
Michael Kors
Again, we have to question the authenticity of a fashion designer’s name as bourgeois sounding as Michael Kors. We were on the money once more, as the Capri Holdings Limited member and fashion industry icon was born “Karl Anderson Jr.” No one wants to be known as “Jr.” in the fashion industry, where every major designer is vying for the throne. “Anderson” is also quite a common name, and you can bet that you’d need something far fancier than that to rise through the designer ranks.
Michael Kors
Calvin Harris
“Adam Richard Wiles” is not exactly the ‘coolest’ name for a DJ, pushing Calvin Harris to go for a far glitzier-sounding title. The record producer, songwriter, and party starter, in general, was born in Scotland and released plenty of moderately successful tracks before achieving true international recognition with “We Found Love” which had Rihanna on vocals. The emotive song topped the American Billboard Hot 100. Harris has enjoyed various high-profile relationships, including one with Taylor Swift which lasted just one year between 2015 and 2016.
Calvin Harris
Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin is a far snazzier name for a pop star than “Enrique José Martín Morales IV”. The fourth Ricky in his line departed from his home country of Puerto Rico to become one of the most successful and adored pop stars in the world. Martin would eventually come to sit on the throne of Latin popular music, being known as the “King of Latin Pop”. Martin’s biggest hits include “Livin’ la Vida Loca”, which is still a sensational song more than two decades later.
Ricky Martin
Tom Cruise
The high-ranking Scientologist and eccentrically enthusiastic actor Tom Cruise could not possibly have been born with such a cool surname. Indeed, Cruise was born “Thomas Cruise Mathoper IV”. Like Ricky Martin, Cruise was the fourth Thomas in his line, and what a fantastic addition to the group he turned out to be. Cruise has been acting for decades now, in hit blockbuster franchises like Top Gun and Mission: Impossible. Cruise is well known for doing his own stunts, as much as possible.
Tom Cruise
Bruce Willis
As with many of his acting counterparts in the film industry, Bruce Willis decided to exclude his original first name from fame, first going as “Walter Bruce Willis”. Middle names seem to be incredibly popular with celebs, as shown by the Die Hard star and so many others. Did you know that Bruce Willis was born in Germany, to an American mother and a German father. The family later come to America, but you would never have guessed that Willis had a German origin.
Bruce Willis
Kit Harington
If you thought that the Game of Thrones star had an unusual name, that is because “Kit” isn’t Harrington’s real name. Rather, it was a nickname that was bestowed upon him as a child. Amazingly, Harrington would only find out that his name was “Christopher” when he turned eleven! So, what is Jon Snow’s actual full name? Try the upper-class-sounding “Christopher Catesby Harrington” out for size. The name Kit is rather cute, don’t you think?
Kit Harington
Jason Derulo
Alright, this next birth name of the successful American singer-songwriter is quite similar to his stage one. Can you guess what it is? If you thought of “Joel Desrouleaux”, then you were correct! Derulo seems to be a more manageable version of the original, as we cannot imagine introducing ourselves like that at a concert in front of millions of people. Derulo recently broke into acting, with the tragically critically panned cinematic adaptation of Cats.
Jason Derulo
Stevie Wonder
You did not think that Stevie Wonder was the legendary American singer-songwriter’s real name, did you? If you did, we might think that you were very superstitious. Well, the writing is finally on the wall, as Wonder’s birth name was “Stevland Hardaway Morris”. This was perhaps a name better suited for a classical music virtuoso rather than a soulful pop star. Few people could ever aptly use the surname of “Wonder” other than the man himself.
Stevie Wonder
Bono
If you ever wondered where the moniker “Bono” originated, you need only consult one of the U2 lead singer’s childhood buddies, who began calling him “Bono Vox”, a loose adaptation of the Latin phrase, “Bonavox”, which means – can you guess it? – “good voice”. The nickname stuck well into the artist’s fame and fortune through his decades of incredible performances and record album sales. Bono has another iconic feature beyond his stage name, which is his red glasses.
Bono
Sting
While you may have believed that “Bono” might have been a real name, there was no doubt that any respectable parent would agree to call their child “Sting”. Rather, the iconic British pop star was named “Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner” by his apparently posh folks. So, how did Sting become a thing? Well, it so happened that Mr. Sumner was wearing a yellow and black striped jersey that a band member of his said made him look like a bee. Hilarious…
Sting
Prince
You would be highly mistaken if you thought that “Prince” was not the late and great American singer-songwriter’s birth name. The beloved artist was born “Prince Rogers Nelson”. While this name might have led to much confusion when Prince was touring the United Kingdom, there are certainly few royals in the American music industry that can claim the same royal status as he did. Prince quickly rose to fame thanks to his energetic and soulful music and stage persona.
Prince
Drake
No, the Canadian hip-hop star is not a particularly enthusiastic fan of dragons. Drake is, rather, his middle name, which takes center place in his full name, “Aubrey Drake Graham”. While “Aubrey” might not command much respect in the hip-hop community at large, we must say that “Drake” is quite fetching. Drake and Kanye West have long been at odds with each other, but their rivalry might escalate if it turns out that Drake is indeed dating West’s ex-wife, Kim Kardashian
Drake
Frank Ocean
Born “Christopher Edwin Cooksey”, Frank Ocean took inspiration from the hit single Ocean’s Eleven by the late crooner, Frank Sinatra. That or Ocean is a particularly dedicated fan of the heist film. Frank Ocean is widely considered to be one of the most unique and diversely talented artists of our time, with his distinctive style of songwriting and singing. Ocean’s influence has gone so far as to reintroduce funk and jazz into R&B once more.
Frank Ocean
Ben Kingsley
You might not think that an actor as successful and famous as Ben Kingsley would have to hide his real identity from the ignorant Western film industry and audiences, but “Krishna Pandit Bhanji” might not have floated for the then aspiring and young actor. Instead, Ben went for a combination of “Benji”, which was his father’s nickname, and a variation of “King Cloves”, which was Ben’s grandfather’s nickname. Kingsley’s most iconic role was in the epic cinematic saga, Gandhi.
Ben Kingsley
Luke Perry
Now Luke Perry’s birth name is a truly noble-sounding one, “Coy Luther Perry III”. While the younger television fans might not know Luke Perry very well, the older ones will fondly remember him for his beloved part in the original Beverly Hills, 90210, a role that he maintained from 1990 to 1995. His most recent part was in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which only super Luke Perry fans would have noticed and appreciated.
Luke Perry
Michael Keaton
Michael Keaton ran into something of a moral dilemma when he discovered that his contemporary had the same name as him, Michael Douglas. The only difference with Keaton’s original name was the addition of a middle name, “Michael John Douglas”. Perhaps the two similarly named actors talked it out, with Keaton losing out. Michael Keaton is something of a cult favorite among fans of the 80s Beetlejuice by legendary filmmaker, Tim Burton. His latest hit film was the quirky Birdman.
Michael Keaton
Tiger Woods
We have to admit, we thought that Tiger Woods was the talented but controversial professional golf player’s real name. Woods’ father was so taken with his good friend’s nickname of “Tiger” that he awarded it to his son, too. While Woods has made a name for himself on the green as one of the most successful and impressive players, his various scandals and bad behavior have landed him in quite a few large bodies of hot water.
Tiger Woods
David Bowie
Born “David Robert Jones”, David Bowie took the name from one of the British pop sensation’s favorite parts of American pop culture, the classic Western called The Alamo. There was one character in the film that David was particularly taken with, called Jim Bowie. David Bowie was one of the first pop stars to begin defying cultural and gender norms, using his popular platform to shake things up. His greatest hits include Let’s Dance, Rebel Rebel, and Changes.
David Bowie
Ashton Kutcher
The good-looking American Actor, Ashton Kutcher, is another fan of the middle-name game, having taken his favorite part of his original name, “Christopher Ashton Kutcher.” Kutcher first entered the popular sphere for his role as the endearingly slow Michael Kelso in That 70’s Show. From there, Kutcher broke into film, in classic hits like stoner comedy Dude, Where’s My Car? He would eventually marry his former That 70’s Show co-star and on-screen partner, Mila Kunis.
Ashton Kutcher
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello was born with a rather chunky name, “Declan Patrick MacManus. You might have guessed that Elvis took his name from the King of Rock ‘n Roll. But where does Costello come from? It was the stage name of his father, Day Costello. So, your two biggest male role models combined into one. With that much star power behind your new name, you are bound for stardom! Not to mention the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
Elvis Costello
Liam Neeson
“William John Neeson” is the full name of the Taken star, who shortened the pleasant name to just Liam. Liam Neeson might have risen to an incredible popular appreciation after his role in the Taken films, where he played the kind of father that any daughter would be completely safe with. Neeson has played all manner of roles, from a Jedi in Star War Episode I, to the humanitarian businessman in Schindler’s List. He also is one of the best-paid actors of all time.
Liam Neeson
Kirk Douglas
Next up we have a Hollywood legend even greater than Neeson, if that was even possible, with Kirk Douglas. The icon’s original name was “Issur Danielovitch Demsky”, which was deemed too Eastern European-sounding to fly in Hollywood. Douglas’ rags-to-riches story is what Hollywood dreams are made of. He was born into an incredibly difficult home, where his immigrant folks struggled to put food on the table for him and his six sisters. Douglas decided that acting was his way out.
Kirk Douglas
Cary Grant
Now, what do you think that “Cary Grant” replaced? Nothing other than Archibald, with Grant having been born “Archibald Alec Leach”. We think that Grant’s original name was actually far more impressive than the one that he replaced it with. If you know anything about Hollywood’s classic leading men, then you know that Grant was one of the most beloved and respected. His debonair attitude, transatlantic accent, and incredible sense of humor made him a firm favorite among the public and directors in general.
Cary Grant
Mick Jagger
“Michael Philip Jagger” needed something snappier than that to seal his place in rock ‘n roll history. The Rolling Stones lead singer decided that “Mick” was far cooler than Michael, which we cannot deny. Few musical artists have a more iconic name than Mick Jagger. To do the British singer-songwriter justice, we need to add a “Sir” to his full name. Indeed, Jagger has contributed so much to British culture in general that he was knighted for his services.
Mick Jagger
Rock Hudson
It wasn’t long into “Leroy Harold Scherer Jr.’s acting career that he decided to make the transition into being known as Rock Hudson. While Hudson might not be very well known among the younger generations, he was one of the most beloved and renowned actors of the 20th century. Hudson acted for more than forty years, taking a central role during the Golden Age of Hollywood. His career really took off when he starred in 1954’s Magnificent Obsession.
Rock Hudson