In the “real” world, using your real name is common toeveryday life. Most of us never think about changing our name unless you happen to have a really embarrassingly horrific name . But when it comes to the entertainment industry, actors and actresses for example are sometimes forced to change their names because of rules governing the Screen Actors Guild which states that no two members should have the same exact name. They also want to have more memorable names that will help to carry them to stardom. But there are those who have decided to keep the name they were born with. Here is a list of celebrities who use their real birth names:
1. Uma Thurman
This Kill Bill star is named after the goddess of light and beauty in Indian Mythology so why would she want to change her name, right? Aside from Kill Bill, she also starred in other Quentin Tarantino films like Pulp Fiction.
2. Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow is not just a great actress she is also a great singer, in fact, she starred in her own singing movie entitled Duets. She is also known for starring in films such as Hook, Iron Man, and Avengers. Paltrow has won several awards such as an Academy Award, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Golden Globe Award.
3. David Hasselhoff
Aside from starring in several hit movies and series such as Baywatch, Knight Rider, and The Young and The Restless, “The Hoff” is also a very big singer in Eastern Europe and Germany where he sold almost millions of records. He also set a Guinness World Record for being the most watched man on TV.
4. Antonio Banderas
Antonio Banderas is a Spanish actor who is known for starring in several hit movies such as Interview with a Vampire, Zorro, Desperado, Spy Kids, Evita, Assassins, and Puss in Boots. He also has own cologne brand for men.
5. Keira Knightley
This actress resemblance with Natalie Portman is undeniable in fact her role as the decoy queen in Star Wars: Episode 1- The Phantom Menace was kept secret throughout the film’s promotion just to maintain the fact that Natalie Portman both played the role. And during the filming of the movie, even their own mothers cannot tell them apart once they are in makeup.
Keira Knightly is also known for her roles in Pride and Prejudice, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Bend It Like Beckham.
6. Channing Tatum
Channing’s career began as a dancer in Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs” music video. He has also starred in several films such as Magic Mike, She’s The Man, 21 Jump Street, Step Up, and G.I Joe.
7. Jude La
This dashingly handsome British actor started acting since he was just twelve years old. He starred in several hit films such as Talented Mr. Ripley, A.I Artificial Intelligence, and Sherlock Holmes.
8. Val Kilmer
This critically acclaimed actor is known for his performance in the blockbuster films like The Doors, Top Gun, and Batman Forever. He is the only blonde actor that has portrayed Batman. Val Kilmer also reportedly turned down Patrick Swayze’s role in the movie Dirty Dancing because he doesn’t want to be looked at as a hunk.
9. Forest Whitaker
Forest Whitaker is an actor, director, and producer. He is known for his intensive character study for films like The Crying Game, The Butler, Arrival, and Bird. He also starred in blockbuster films such as Black Panther and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. He has won the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, BAFTA Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
10. Jennifer Love Hewitt
Jennifer Love Hewitt is a singer, actress, director, and producer. Her acting career started when she appeared in national television commercials and after that, she joined the cast of the Disney Chanel series, Kids Incorporated. She received her breakthrough role when she played Julie James in the horror film I Know What You Did Last Sumer. Jennifer Love Hewitt is also responsible for the git songs BareNaked, How Do I Deal, No Ordinary Love, and Cool With You.