Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Not all acclaimed stars who turned into household names were born with the golden tickets to fame. Most of them struggled their way up the ladder, often adopting stage names for benefits. We have therefore made a list of the top 5 Hollywood actors who go by pseudonyms and the story behind them.
While most people know renowned stars like Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, and Ben Affleck by these names, apparently, as per reports, the actors dropped their real names when they ventured into Hollywood. Similarly, there are a few other actors who successfully etched their names in the hearts of their fans, but it is actually their stage names.
Also read:“I’m like literally, like my head exploded”: Benny Safdie Couldn’t Believe Tom Cruise’s ‘Real’ Sex Commercial That Went Viral Before the Internet
1. Jamie Foxx
Renowned starJamie Foxx,who is known for collaborating with Hollywood heartthrob Tom Cruise inCollateral(2004),rose to fame through stand-up comedy. But quite early in his career, the actor realized the importance of using a gender-neutral name in the entertainment industry.
That’s when the actor who was born with the name of Eric Marlon Bishop, as perInsider, chose to go with Jamie Foxx. “I noticed that it would be like 1,000 guys showed up and only three girls. But the three girls would always get a spot …So I went to the list and wrote down unisex names.” Foxx noted. Certainly, his idea worked wonders and served him well throughout his career.
2. Emma Stone
TheLa La LandactressEmma Stone, who also appeared in the MCU movieTheAmazing Spider-Manalongside Andrew Garfield, apparently rebranded herself with a stage name at the age of 16. Born as Emily Jean Stone, the actor realized that her name might create confusion in the industry since there’s already an Emily Stone in Hollywood.
That’s when the actress changed it to Emma from Emily because it almost sounded similar. “I changed it to Emma because you know it’s closer to Emily, but most people call me ‘M,’ that know me well,” Stone informedWMagazine.
Also read:Tom Cruise and Will Smith Share 1 Insane Record in Hollywood That No Other Actor Can Probably Dream of Ever Achieving
3. Tom Cruise
Acclaimed actorTom Cruise, who is famous for performing terrific stunts and incredible actions in his movies turned into a household name following his breakthrough role in the action flickTop Gun(1986). But surprisingly, although the star is globally known as Tom Cruise, it’s apparently his stage name.
As perGentleman’s Journal,the actor’s original name is Thomas Cruise Mapother IV. Well, while his real name sounds quite princely, there’s a tragic story behind why he dropped his real name. Growing up in abuse, Cruise decided to distance himself from the tragedy by dropping ‘Mapother’ from his name, when his career took off. Thereafter, his pseudonym is what got his international fame.
4. Ben Affleck
The 90s heartthrob and Oscar-winning actorBen Affleck, famous for his breakthrough projectGood Will Hunting,has been making buzz all over Hollywood since his inception. Starring in some of the most renowned movies and even appearing as Daredevil, the actor soon became a household name.
Nonetheless, just like peers on our list, even Ben Affleck is known for using a pseudonym. Born as Benjamin Géza Affleck-Boldt, the actor apparently decided to shorten his name to Ben from Benjamin and dropped Géza to just go with Affleck. The actor was certainly right, for a short and crisp name is easy to remember.
Also read:$377M Tom Cruise Franchise Beaten by Not 1 But 2 New Shows
5. Vin Diesel
The last actor on our list whose name is quite obviously a pseudonym is theFast and FuriousstarVin Diesel. Rising to fame for playing Dominic Toretto in the renowned franchise, the actor became one of the world’s highest-grossing actors. But, while rose to fame as Vin Diesel, he was born with the name Mark Sinclair.
The reason behind the change of his name was reported viaThe Washington Post,where the actor claimed that the “Vin” was a shortened version of his father’s last name, Irving H. Vincent. While the “Diesel” part came onboard when his friends started describing him as full of energy. The combination served the actor well in the industry as he etched his position in the hearts of millions as Vin Diesel.
Krittika Mukherjee
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3217
Krittika Mukherjee is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on films, TV shows, and celebrity news with over 3,000 articles published. With an educational background in Journalism, and a keen interest in filmmaking, Krittika blends factual precision with creative flair, when crafting her editorials, or dissecting fan theories.Her coverage often includes news and analyses of critically acclaimed films, celebrity news, and franchises like the Wizarding World, LOTR, DC, and MCU—particularly Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Superheroes, and fan theories. As a Wizarding World aficionado, Krittika has spent countless hours exploring hidden backstories, unadapted book moments, spells, and trivias surrounding J.K. Rowling’s lore.An imaginative writer with a way with words, Krittika has worked as an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a web content writer for a year. She brought her experience and expertise to FandomWire to pursue her desire for sipping coffee while dissecting films and tracking celebrity drama.
