Celebrities from Hollywood have been grabbing the attention of the world for decades now. While many actors and actresses have mesmerized lovers of cinema with their incredible talent, there are also quite a few who are known for their style quotient. The life and achievements of many of these celebrities have been the sources of inspiration for many people around the globe. Many have even tried to adopt the mannerisms of these celebrities in their daily lives. Die-hard fans of these big Hollywood names have even gone to the extent of naming their family members after them. However, not many know that some of their favorite names from Hollywood have totally different identities in real life. It might even come as a shocker to those who have been worshipping these names for years without knowing their off-screen identities. While a few celebrities adopt catchy screen names in a bid to grab attention, many others choose an abbreviated form of the lengthy names given by their parents. The real names of these 50 famous celebrities from the world of Hollywood are facts which will amaze you today. Were you aware of at least a few of these?
1. Tom Cruise
He has captured the hearts of millions across the world with his irresistible charm and acting prowess, but not many of his fans know the real name of this renowned actor. The handsome ‘Mission Impossible’ star was actually named Thomas Cruise Mapother IV.
Photo Credit http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2013/05/07/tom-cruise-to-return-for-mission-impossible-5/
2. Vin Diesel
Vin Diesel, known for his roles in adrenaline pumping flicks like ‘XXX’ as well as ‘Fast and The Furious’, was originally named Mark Sinclair Vincent.
Photo Credit http://thevent.tv/vin-diesel-confirms-xxx-sequel-shoots-in-december/
3. Jamie Foxx
He is one of the most seasoned actors Hollywood has produced. The ‘Django Unchained’ actor Jamie Foxx’s real identity is Eric Marlon Bishop.
Photo Credit http://www.ifc.com/fix/2012/10/jamie-foxx-jonah-hill-django-unchained-trailer
4. Helen Mirren
Legendary actress Helen Mirren has won many accolades over the years for her realistic portrayal of characters. Many movie buffs who admire this lady are not aware of the fact that Helen’s original name is Ilyena Lydia Mironoff.
Photo Credit http://deadline.com/2015/04/broadway-box-office-up-118-million-over-2014-helen-mirren-recoups-1201409166/
5. Demi Moore
Demi turned into a phenomenal actress through her roles in flicks like ‘Strip Tease’, ‘Ghost’ and ‘Indecent Proposal’. However, not many know that the actress’ real identity was Demi Gene Guynes, before she made a mark in Hollywood.
Photo Credit http://blog.focuswebtv.gr/?p=256708
6. Whoppie Goldberg
A darling amongst fans of light-hearted cinema, seasoned actor Whoppie Goldberg was christened Caryn Elaine Johnson.
Photo Credit http://www.newsweek.com/muppets-movie-whoopi-goldberg-loving-kermit-and-miss-piggy-66269
7. Natalie Portman
A powerhouse of talent, this actress of Israeli descent was christened Natalie Hershlag at her birth.
Photo Credit http://celebrityofficial.com/natalie-portman/
8. Jullianne Moore
This fact about Academy award winner Julianne Moore will take her fans by surprise. The actress was named Julie Ann Smith by her parents, an identity which was altered to support a glamorous career.
Photo Credit http://www.weeklyviral.com/2015-2016-2017-2018/entertainment/most-popular-latest-new-hot-top-10/music-movies/hollywood/julianne-moore-movies-list-upcoming/
9. Nicolas Cage
The flamboyant Nicolas Cage, who became a worldwide sensation, thanks to his roles in films like ‘Con Air’ and ‘Face/Off’, is Nicolas Kim Coppola off-screen.
Photo Credit http://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/nicolas-cage-will-play-ex-convict-hunting-bin-laden-comedy-based-true-story/
10. Olivia Wilde
Wilde, who garnered a lot of acclaim for her roles in flicks like ‘Tron: Legacy’, ‘Her’ and ‘Rush’, is Olivia Jane Cockburn in real life.
Photo Credit http://7-themes.com/6957160-olivia-wilde.html
11. Marilyn Monroe
Undoubtedly, the most famous poster girl of Hollywood and a role model for many budding actresses, this diva’s real name was far too different from her public identity. According to a source, Monroe was named Norma Jean Baker, but the name mentioned in her birth certificate as well as other documents is Norma Jean Mortinson.
Photo Credit http://magazine.foxnews.com/food-wellness/secrets-marilyn-monroes-amazing-body
12. Ben Kingsley
An institution of acting himself, Sir Ben Kingsley is of half-Indian descent and was named Krishna Pandit Bhanji, surprising isn’t it?
Photo Credit http://www.bishopandcomp.com/5-things-you-need-to-know-iron-man-3/
13. Meg Ryan
Meg Ryan, who shot to fame through her roles in unforgettable romance flicks like ‘When Harry Met Sally’ and ‘Sleepless in Seattle’, has made a significant change to her real name, which is Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra.
Photo Credit http://www.tophdgallery.com/meg-ryan-haircuts.html
14. Jack Black
The hilarious Jack Black, who often leaves the audience in splits with his impeccable comic timing, was Jacob Thomas Black, before he entered Hollywood.
Photo Credit http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/news/school-rock-tv-series-headed-nickelodeon-20140805
15. Emma Stone
Emma Stone, who has been slowly but steadily making waves in tinsel town, is yet another name who adopted a different screen name. Officially, Emma’s name is Emily Jean Stone.
Photo Credit http://www.flickeringmyth.com/2015/04/ryan-gosling-and-emma-stone-rumoured-for-damien-chazelles-la-la-land.html/emma-stone-filming-the-amazing-spider-man-2-in-new-york-on-17-april
16. Jodie Foster
‘The Silence of the Lambs’ star has been applauded time and again for her impeccable acting prowess. She was given the name Alicia Christian Foster by her parents, but opted for Jodie later.
Photo Credit http://www.ew.com/article/2013/07/29/elysium-jodie-foster
17. Jackie Chan
The king of action comedy known for his ability to perform action scenes effortlessly, Jackie Chan was born Chan Kong Sang.
Photo Credit http://myimagecollection.net/jackie+chan+shanghai+knights
18. Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen, the central character of the famous television series ‘Two and a Half Men’ is Carlos Irwin Estevez outside the world of glamour.
Photo Credit http://www.ew.com/article/2015/01/15/chuck-lorre-charlie-sheen-men-finale
19. Ashton Kutcher
Admired for his boyish charm, this famous actor’s name is Christopher Ashton Kutcher, which he later trimmed.
Photo Credit http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/12-year-old-calif-boy-admits-swatting-ashton-kutcher-article-1.1285923
20. Carmen Electra
This sexy siren became a rage across the youth for her work in the renowned series ‘Baywatch’, as well as a string of parody films, is formally recognized as Tara Leigh Patrick.
Photo Credit http://lylesmoviefiles.com/2015/04/20/carmen-electra-still-looks-electrifying-at-43/
21. Woody Allen
The prolific Woody Allen, who has proved his mettle as a playwright, writer and an actor, was named Allen Stewart Koniksberg, at the time of his birth. Aren’t you glad that he adopted a different screen name?
Photo Credit http://howcreativeswork.com/2013/11/21/woody-allen/
22. The Rock
The iconic Wrestler, whose popularity also opened the doors of Hollywood for a career in films, was named Dwayne Douglas Johnson by his family. A few movies in which he has acted, have even credited him as Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
Photo Credit http://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/30/dwayne-rock-johnson-hulk-hogan
23. Audrey Hepburn
This iconic actress , considered one of the greatest women in cinema, was originally named Audrey Kathleen Ruston.
Photo Credit http://netizenbuzz.blogspot.in/2015/06/hyeris-audrey-hepburn-sojins-madonna.html
24. Sam Neil
Remember this actor from Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece ‘Jurassic Park’? He was originally christened Nigel John Dermot Neill and later changed his on-screen name.
Photo Credit http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2013/05/23/sam-neill-says-jurassic-park-4-is-a-big-reboot-a-total-re-jig/
25. Leonardo Dicaprio
The dashing heartthrob Leonardo Dicaprio, has a middle name ‘Wilhelm’, which roughly translates to ‘awesome’. It’s unknown as to why the Hollywood star shunned ‘Wilhelm’.
Photo Credit http://www.plumeriamovies.com/leonardo-dicaprio-photo-gallery/
26. Michael Keaton
Immensely praised for his portrayal of the protagonist in the recently released flick ‘Birdman’, not many of his fans know that Keaton’s real identity is Michael John Douglas.
Photo Credit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6RKfx2XSLc
27. Miley Cyrus
Love her or hate her, you cannot ignore the extremely popular Miley Cyrus. Though she’s not a Hollywood actress, she is a name which definitely deserves a mention. Her parents had named the singer Destiny Hope Cyrus.
Photo Credit http://www.hdwallpapers.in/miley_cyrus-desktop-wallpapers.html
28. Ice Cube
Well-known rapper and actor Ice Cube, who has also been praised for his works in films like ‘Anaconda’ and the sequel to the action-thriller ‘XXX’, is O’Shea Jackson in real life.
Photo Credit http://icecube.com/ice-cube-to-put-on-the-gloves-for-fist-fight-at-new-line/
29. Michael Caine
Remember this old man from Christopher Nolan’s hugely successful Batman films ‘The Dark Knight’ and ‘The Dark Knight Rises’? Caine’s real name is Maurice Joseph Micklewhite.
Photo Credit http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/360287-michael-caine-joins-the-cast-of-the-last-witch-hunter/
30. Sophia Loren
Yesteryear actress Sophia Loren, who is also touted as one of the prettiest Hollywood divas of all time, was born Sofia Villani Scicolone.
Photo Credit http://flyosophy.com/2014/01/25/decision-makers/
31. Maggie Q
Maggie Q, who has established herself as one of the finest contemporary actresses in both Cinema as well as television, is Margaret Denise Quigley off-screen. Maggie Q was also seen essaying a role in the 3rd instalment of the ‘Mission Impossible’ franchise.
Photo Credit https://new2tats.wordpress.com/2015/01/02/celebrity-tattoo-of-the-day-nikita-edition-maggie-q/
32. Tony Curtis
This yesteryear actor, who is world renowned for his role in the epic movie ‘Spartacus’ was named Bernard Schwartz by his family.
Photo Credit http://www.threedonia.com/archives/30921
33. Joaquin Phoenix
This actor, who has starred in several Hollywood films was christened Joaquin Rafael Bottom.
Photo Credit http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/oct/05/inherent-vice-review-joaquin-phoenix-paul-thomas-anderson
34. Bruce Willis
The versatile Bruce Willis was christened Walter Bruce Willis, but dropped the first name after entering tinsel town.
Photo Credit http://www.eonline.com/photos/6141/bruce-willis-movie-star/216706
35. Angelina Jolie
The gorgeous glam icon, who is known for both her cinematic as well as humanitarian works, was born Angeline Jolie Voight. Perhaps trimming the surname really helped the ‘Tomb Raider’ actress go places.
Photo Credit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0CZLaFzRos
36. Jon Stewart
Known for his television shows, as well as acting endeavours, the talented Jon Stewart is known as Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz by his family members.
Photo Credit http://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/photo-gallery/34500374/image/34500418/Jon-Stewart-Big-Daddy
37. Diane Keaton
Diane Keaton, who gained visibility for her role in ‘The Godfather’ movies, was christened Diane Hall by her parents.
Photo Credit http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/01/05/diane-keaton_n_6416650.html
38. Rihanna
Although not an actress, Rihanna has been making quite a buzz within Hollywood circles for her immense talent. The singer, who has earned an overwhelming fan following over the years, was actually named Robyn Rihanna Fenty.
Photo Credit http://pagesix.com/2014/11/07/rihanna-announces-charity-ball/
39. Kevin Spacey
Kevin Spacey Fowler is the real name of this Academy Award winning actor of ‘The Usual Suspects’ fame.
Photo Credit http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/05/kevin-spacey-private-life-gay_n_5097793.html?ir=India&adsSiteOverride=in
40. Steven Bauer
The ‘Scarface’ actor, who has left a lasting impression on the minds of movie buffs, was initially named Esteben Ernesto Echevarria Samson.
Photo Credit http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/i359537/scarface-steven-bauer.html
41. Freddie Prinze
The father of the charming ‘Scooby Doo’ star Freddie Prinze Jr., who was also known for being a great stand-up comedian, was Frederick Karl Pruetzel.
Photo Credit http://raisedbytv.com/tag/freddie-prinze/
42. Lea Michele
An actress, singer and writer, Lea Michele was named Lea Michele Sarfati, but shortened her name to suit her profession.
Photo Credit http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/5923073/lea-michele-interview-louder-album-cory-monteith-glee
43. Kal Penn
Kal, who has won the hearts of many for his role in the hit film series ‘Harold & Kumar’ and the critically acclaimed movie ‘Namesake’, is of Indian origin. He was actually named Kalpen Suresh Modi.
Photo Credit https://www.thewrap.com/harold-and-kumar-star-kal-penn-to-moderate-nat-geos-comic-con-panel-exclusive/
44. Morgan Fairchild
The ‘Golden Globe’ nominee, who has worked in more than a dozen movies, was named Patsy Ann McClenny by her parents.
Photo Credit http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Morgan-Fairchild-Posters_i1221727_.htm
45. John Wayne
He is the man who ruled the silver screen nearly five decades ago and continues to be remembered by movie buffs even today. Wayne was Marion Robert Morrison before he ventured into the world of cinema.
Photo Credit http://jwayne.com/
46. Willem Dafoe
Remember this baddie who played the dreaded ‘Green Goblin’ in the first instalment of the ‘Spiderman’ franchise? Well, he didn’t drastically change his name but opted for a slight modification over his original identity, William J Dafoe.
Photo Credit http://legiaodosherois.uol.com.br/2013/will-dafoe-critica-novamente-o-reboot-o-espetacular-homem-aranha.html
47. M. Night Shyamalan
The widely acclaimed film-maker, best known for his psychological thriller flicks like ‘Signs’ and ‘The Sixth Sense’, is another Indian in Hollywood who was originally named Manoj Shyamalan.
Photo Credit http://orangemercury.blogspot.in/2014_08_03_archive.html
48. Bo Derek
The stunning Bo Derek, who has acted in films like ‘Malibu’s Most Wanted’ and popular television series’ like ‘CSI: Miami’ was named Mary Cathleen Collins. However, she decided to opt for a whole new identity altogether.
Photo Credit http://marishten.blogspot.in/2012/11/novembers-beauty-icon-bo-derek.html
49. Lee Strasberg
The former American actor, who was also the driving force behind the renowned ‘The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute’, was named Israel Strasberg. A different first named worked wonders for this legend.
Photo Credit http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2012/04/lee-strasberg-papers-headed-to-library-of-congress.html
50. John Legend
A nine time ‘Grammy’ and one-time ‘Academy Award’ winner, John Legend, is the popular screen name of this actor and musician, who is otherwise known as John Roger Stephens.
Photo Credit http://www.capitalxtra.com/xplore/best-songs/john-legend/
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