The real names of celebrities
Just like the lighting, glitz and glamour of Hollywood, stars’ names aren’t always what they appear.
Many of our favourite celebrities have changed their name to seek fame, either a result of name similarity, vanity, or an unfortunate birth name.
Here are some of the biggest celebs real names revealed:
Michael Caine
The actor was originally born the less charismatic Maurice Joseph Micklewhite, and adopted the name Michael Scott in its stead. Caine was later forced to change it again, and chose “Michael Caine” after seeing the movie, The Caine Mutiny.
Shania Twain
This Canadian country crooner was born Eileen Regina Edwards and adopted her stepfather’s last name instead. She added “Shania” at the start of her career, which means “on my way” in Ojibwa.
Reese Witherspoon
Her last name is already unique, but this actress changed her first name from “Laura Jeanne” to “Reese.”
Helen Mirren
Our favourite, Helen Mirren was actually born the harder to pronounce, “Ilynea Lydia Mironoff.” A rose by any other name would smell as sweet!
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah’s name came as a result of consistent mispronunciation, having actually been called “Orpah” at birth.
Meg Ryan
Meg Ryan was born Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra, but went by Peggy Hyra until changing it to “Meg” followed by her mother’s maiden name, “Ryan.”
Ralph Lauren
The iconic designer was originally born Ralph Lifschitz. In an interview with Oprah (Orpah?) he explained the change:
“My given name has the word sh*t in it,” he said. “When I was a kid, the other kids would make a lot of fun of me. It was a tough name. That’s why I decided to change it. My cousins who lived in California had changed their last name to Lawrence. So I just thought, ‘I’m going to pick a nice last name’ — it wasn’t particularly connected to anything or anyone.”
Elton John
The legendary singer and pianist was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight, but chose the shorter “Elton John” in homage to saxophonist Elton Dean and Long John Baldry.
Liv Tyler
Tyler grew up thinking that rocker Todd Rundgren was her father but found out at age nine that Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler was her biological dad.
Tom Cruise
The Mission Impossible actor was born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV.
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