MomSkoop
Hollywood has always been a place where dreams come true, but sometimes those dreams require a little reinvention.
Many famous actors decided to change their names to sound more American or easier to pronounce, hoping it would help them connect with audiences and land bigger roles. These stars prove that while a name change might open doors, it’s talent and hard work that keep them open.
1. Marilyn Monroe – Born Norma Jeane Mortenson
Born in Los Angeles as Norma Jeane Mortenson, this blonde bombshell became one of Hollywood’s most iconic figures after changing her name.
Her studio executives believed a more glamorous name would help her image as a movie star.
The name Marilyn came from Broadway actress Marilyn Miller, while Monroe was her mother’s maiden name.
Her transformation wasn’t just about the name—it included platinum blonde hair, a breathy voice, and a whole new persona.
She starred in classics like Some Like It HotGentlemen Prefer Blondes and , becoming a cultural phenomenon.
Even today, decades after her death, Marilyn Monroe remains a symbol of Hollywood glamour and mystery.
Her name change helped create a legend that will never be forgotten.
2. Natalie Portman – Born Neta-Lee Hershlag
This Oscar-winning actress was born in Jerusalem as Neta-Lee Hershlag before her family moved to the United States.
When she started acting as a child, she chose to use her grandmother’s maiden name, Portman, as her stage name.
This decision helped protect her family’s privacy while she grew up in the spotlight.
Natalie wanted a name that would be easier for American audiences to remember and pronounce.
She made her film debut at age 13 in The Professional and never looked back.
Her impressive career includes roles in Black SwanStar WarsJackie, the prequels, and .
Smart and talented, she even graduated from Harvard while maintaining her acting career, proving she’s more than just a pretty face.
3. Mila Kunis – Born Milena Markovna Kunis
Milena Markovna Kunis arrived in Los Angeles from Ukraine when she was just seven years old, speaking no English.
Her family shortened her name to the more American-sounding Mila, which helped her fit in at school and later in Hollywood.
The nickname stuck and became her professional name when she started auditioning for roles.
Her big break came when she was cast as Jackie on That ’70s Show at age 14.
She famously lied about her age during the audition, telling producers she’d be 18 on her birthday without mentioning it was several years away!
Later, she voiced Meg on Family GuyBlack SwanBad Moms and starred in movies like and .
Her simplified name helped audiences connect with her girl-next-door charm.
4. Charlie Sheen – Born Carlos Irwin Estévez
Carlos Irwin Estévez followed in his father’s footsteps by changing his name to Charlie Sheen when he entered Hollywood.
His father, Martin Sheen, had already established the stage name, and Charlie decided to use it too for consistency and easier recognition.
The Sheen name had already gained respect in the industry, giving him a head start.
Charlie became famous for roles in movies like PlatoonWall StreetMajor League, , and .
Later, he starred in the hit sitcom Two and a Half Men, becoming one of television’s highest-paid actors.
Despite personal controversies throughout his career, his talent kept him in demand.
Interestingly, his brother Emilio chose to keep the family name Estévez, showing that success doesn’t always require a name change.
5. Martin Sheen – Born Ramón Antonio Gerardo Estévez
Ramón Antonio Gerardo Estévez was born to a Spanish father and Irish mother in Ohio.
When he started auditioning in New York, he faced discrimination because of his Hispanic name.
Casting directors often rejected him before even seeing his work, so he adopted the stage name Martin Sheen—Martin after casting director Robert Dale Martin and Sheen from Archbishop Fulton J.
Sheen.
Though he legally never changed his name, he used Martin Sheen professionally and found immediate success.
He starred in groundbreaking films like Apocalypse NowBadlandsThe West Wing and , and later became beloved as President Bartlet on .
He’s openly expressed regret about changing his name, wishing he’d had the courage to succeed as Estévez.
His story reminds us that Hollywood wasn’t always welcoming to diverse names.
6. Rita Hayworth – Born Margarita Carmen Cansino
Margarita Carmen Cansino was a talented dancer of Spanish descent who faced typecasting in Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Studio executives convinced her to transform her image completely, including changing her name to the more Anglo-sounding Rita Hayworth—using her mother’s maiden name.
They also had her undergo painful electrolysis to raise her hairline and dyed her dark hair auburn to look less ethnic.
The transformation worked, and Rita became one of Hollywood’s most famous pin-up girls during World War II.
Her iconic role in Gilda made her a superstar, and her image was even attached to an atomic bomb test.
Despite her success, Rita later said the public fell in love with Gilda, not the real her.
Her story shows the painful sacrifices some actors made to fit Hollywood’s narrow beauty standards of that era.
7. Kirk Douglas – Born Issur Danielovitch
Issur Danielovitch was born to Russian Jewish immigrants in upstate New York and grew up in extreme poverty.
When he decided to become an actor, he knew his birth name would be difficult for audiences and casting directors to remember.
He legally changed it to Kirk Douglas, choosing a strong, simple name that sounded distinctly American.
Kirk became one of Hollywood’s biggest leading men, known for his cleft chin and intense performances.
He starred in classics like SpartacusPaths of GloryLust for Life, , and , earning three Oscar nominations.
Beyond acting, he was a courageous producer who helped break the Hollywood blacklist by crediting screenwriter Dalton Trumbo.
His legacy lives on through his son Michael Douglas, who also became a major star.
Kirk’s name change helped him achieve the American dream he’d always wanted.
8. Tony Curtis – Born Bernard Schwartz
Bernard Schwartz grew up in a tough Hungarian Jewish neighborhood in the Bronx, speaking Yiddish before English.
When he started acting, his agent suggested a name change to help him land leading man roles instead of being typecast.
He became Tony Curtis, a name that sounded smooth, confident, and perfectly suited for a Hollywood heartthrob.
With his new name and striking good looks, Tony became a major star in the 1950s and 60s.
He showed impressive range, from comedies like Some Like It HotThe Defiant Ones with Marilyn Monroe to serious dramas like , which earned him an Oscar nomination.
He was married six times, including to actress Janet Leigh, with whom he had daughter Jamie Lee Curtis.
Tony’s transformation from Bernard to Curtis helped him become one of Hollywood’s most versatile and enduring stars.
9. Joaquin Phoenix – Born Joaquin Rafael Bottom
Joaquin Rafael Bottom belonged to a family that changed their surname together when he was young.
His parents had been part of a controversial religious group and wanted a fresh start.
They chose Phoenix as their new last name, symbolizing rebirth and new beginnings after leaving their old life behind.
Growing up in Hollywood with siblings River, Rain, Liberty, and Summer Phoenix, Joaquin started acting as a child.
He took a break after his brother River’s tragic death but returned to become one of his generation’s most respected actors.
His intense performances in GladiatorWalk the LineJoker, , and especially have earned him numerous awards including an Oscar.
The Phoenix name perfectly represents his family’s transformation and his own ability to rise from tragedy to create unforgettable art.
His unique first name stayed the same, keeping his individuality intact.
10. Winona Ryder – Born Winona Laura Horowitz
Winona Laura Horowitz was named after her Minnesota birthplace, the town of Winona.
When she began her acting career as a teenager, she adopted the stage name Winona Ryder, taking Ryder from Mitch Ryder, a musician her father admired.
The name sounded mysterious and memorable, perfect for the quirky roles she’d become famous for playing.
Her career exploded in the late 1980s and 90s with iconic films like BeetlejuiceHeathersEdward ScissorhandsLittle Women, , , and .
She earned two Oscar nominations before age 30, becoming the face of alternative cool for a generation.
After some difficult years, she made a spectacular comeback with Stranger Things, introducing herself to a whole new audience.
Her simplified name helped her stand out in Hollywood while keeping the unique first name that made her special.
11. Ben Kingsley – Born Krishna Pandit Bhanji
Krishna Pandit Bhanji was born in England to an Indian father and British mother.
Early in his acting career, he faced challenges getting roles with his Indian name, even though he’d grown up in England.
He chose the stage name Ben Kingsley, using his father’s nickname and adopting a more Western-sounding surname to improve his chances in British theater and film.
Despite the name change, Ben never hid his heritage and has played characters of many ethnicities throughout his career.
His portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi in Gandhi won him an Academy Award and worldwide recognition.
He’s since appeared in everything from Schindler’s ListIron Man to the movies, showing incredible versatility.
Later in life, he was knighted, becoming Sir Ben Kingsley.
His career proves that talent ultimately matters most, though his name change initially helped open doors in a less inclusive industry.
12. Michael Caine – Born Maurice Joseph Micklewhite Jr.
Maurice Joseph Micklewhite Jr. grew up in a working-class London neighborhood and dreamed of becoming an actor.
When he started getting roles, he needed a stage name that sounded more sophisticated and memorable.
Looking at a movie theater marquee advertising The Caine Mutiny, he chose Michael Caine on the spot—simple, strong, and easy to remember.
Michael became one of Britain’s most beloved actors, starring in over 130 films including AlfieThe Italian JobThe Dark Knight, , and trilogy as Alfred.
He’s won two Academy Awards and continues working well into his 80s.
Interestingly, he only legally changed his name in 2016 after airport security kept questioning why his passport said Micklewhite!
His distinctive Cockney accent and charming personality made him a star regardless of his name, but Michael Caine certainly sounds more like a movie legend than Maurice Micklewhite.
13. Issa Rae – Born Jo-Issa Rae Diop
Jo-Issa Rae Diop shortened her name to Issa Rae when she started creating content on YouTube.
Born to a Senegalese father and African American mother, she kept parts of her birth name while simplifying it for easier recognition.
Her nickname Issa had always been used by family and friends, so it felt natural to make it official.
She first gained attention with her web series The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, which she created, wrote, and starred in.
This led to her HBO series Insecure, which she also created and starred in, earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
Her success shows how the entertainment industry has evolved—she didn’t have to completely abandon her African heritage to succeed.
Issa represents a new generation of creators who can be authentically themselves while still achieving mainstream success in Hollywood.
14. Bruno Mars – Born Peter Gene Hernandez
Peter Gene Hernandez grew up in Hawaii in a musical family, performing since childhood.
When he moved to Los Angeles to pursue music seriously, he adopted the stage name Bruno Mars to stand out in the industry.
His father gave him the nickname Bruno as a toddler because he was chubby like wrestler Bruno Sammartino, and Mars was added because girls told him he was out of this world.
The name change helped him avoid being pigeonholed into Latin music categories, allowing him to create the diverse pop, funk, and R&B sound he wanted.
He’s won 15 Grammy Awards and sold over 130 million records worldwide with hits like “Just the Way You Are” and “Uptown Funk.”
His stage name is memorable, fun, and perfectly matches his energetic personality.
Peter Hernandez might not have captured attention the same way, proving that sometimes a creative name change can reflect an artist’s true spirit.