Golden Age Stars Who Used Stage Names

News outlets shared conflicting information about Audrey Hepburn‘s birth name: some said it was Audrey Kathleen Ruston, while others listed it as Edda Kathleen van Heemstra Hepburn-Ruston.

But according to her son Sean Hepburn, his grandmother changed the Breakfast at Tiffany’s star’s surname to Edda van Heemstra during World War II to conceal their family’s British heritage while living in the Netherlands.

Before her appearance in Roman Holiday, the studio reportedly asked Audrey if she wanted to change her last name due to a potential conflict. But she told the company it would also have to take her first name.

According to reports, Barbara Stanwyck — born Ruby Catherine Stevens — started using the name after considering the suggestion of either the Ziegfield Follies producer or impresario David Belasco. She debuted using the stage name in her first credited film, The Locked Door.

Born Archibald Alec Leach, Cary Grant started using the stage name before appearing in his first film, This Is the Night. The name was reportedly inspired by Cary Lockwood, his character in the Broadway play Nikki.

Dean Martin became a famous singer, comedian and actor before his death on Christmas Day in 1995. However, some fans did not know he was born Dino Paul Crocetti and opted to go by his stage name to create his public persona.

Fred Astaire did not use his real name, Frederick Austerlitz when he started his career in the industry. He and his older sister, Adele, started using the last name, with theories claiming they borrowed it from their relatives in a former German Empire territory.

Before launching her career in Hollywood, Ginger Rogers had to create a stage name and leave behind her birth name—Virginia Katherine McMath. She starred in over 73 films before she died in 1995.

Before entering Hollywood, Joan Fontaine‘s sister, Olivia de Havilland, already debuted as an actress. When she wanted to pursue an acting career through Warner Bros., their mother did not allow her to use her real name — Joan de Beauvoir de Havilland — since “two de Havillands on the marquee would be too many.”

Lauren Bacall, born Betty Joan Perske, used the moniker based on the altered version of her mom’s last name, Bacal. Her first name came from Howard Hawks, a director who discovered her.

Gladys Louis Smith chose to promote using the moniker Mary Pickford to have a name with more star power. She became famous for being America’s Sweetheart during the silent film era.

Born Estella Merle O’Brien Thompson, Merle Oberon decided to promote using the stage name after director and producer Alexander Korda suggested it. She also used “Queenie” as her nickname.

Rita Hayworth used the moniker Margarita Cansino instead of her real name. The change, which occurred upon signing a contract with Columbia Pictures, helped her secure more roles.

Rita Moreno was born Rosa Dolores Alverío, but a casting agent informed her she would need to change her name before starting her contract with MGM.

Rock Hudson, born Roy Harold Scherer Jr., used the stage name based on the suggestion of his agent, Henry Wilson. He also used his character’s pseudonym, Rex Stetson,