Stage name

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A stage name or a screen name is a pseudonym used by performers - such as actors, comedians, musicians and clowns.

Performers take stage names for many reasons, often because their real name is considered unattractive, dull, unintentionally amusing, or projects the wrong image. Sometimes performers wish to adopt a name that is unusual (sometimes even outlandish), memorable, or that complements his/her performing persona; or because they wish to remain anonymous in relation to another sphere of work.

There are some individuals related to an already famous person who have taken a different last name so that they are not perceived to have received undue benefit from their family connection. Examples of these include Nicolas Cage (nephew of Francis Ford Coppola) and Mike McGear (brother of Paul McCartney).

In the past, a stage name was often used when a performer's real name was considered too "ethnic." This still happens to a degree, but the growing acceptance of ethnic performers in film and on television has made this a less frequent occurrence. Guilds and associations that represent actors - for example the Screen Actors Guild in the United States and British Actors' Equity Association in the United Kingdom - usually stipulate that no two members may have the same working name, and in that situation actors are obliged to modify their name or take a new one.

A consideration in choosing a stage name is ease of use. The Actors' Equity Association advises performers to select a name that is easy for others to pronounce, spell and remember. A survey of the three US regional heads of AEA reveals that a performer whose name is difficult to pronounce, spell, or remember is less likely to be hired than other performers.

Many performers refer to their stage name as their "professional name." In some cases performers subsequently adopt their stage name as their legal name. For instance, the former Robert Zimmerman's legal name has been Robert Dylan (Bob Dylan), since he changed it by Deed Poll in August 1962. Elton John was born Reginald Dwight but changed his name by Deed Poll and subsequently took that name as his real name. When he was knighted he became Sir Elton John rather than Sir Reginald Dwight. Names so adopted, are technically no longer "stage names," but are often perceived as such by the public (and for that reason stage names that come into that category are included in the following list).

Note on methodology: Individuals who have dropped their last name and substituted their middle name as their last name - are listed. Also individuals who have changed the spelling of one of their legal names (eg Willem Dafoe). Individuals who have merely dropped their first name and used their middle name as a first name (eg James Paul McCartney > Paul McCartney and Grace Marie Osmond > Marie Osmond) are not listed herein as the variance from their real name is not sufficient to qualify as a stage name.

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Famous stage names include:

Stage name

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