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In an attempt to make a career on his own, Emilio Estevez chose not to take his father's stage name "Sheen," and uses his birth name "Estevez." Actors' professional associationsGuilds and associations that represent actors, such as the Screen Actors Guild in the United States and British Actors' Equity Association in the United Kingdom, stipulate that no two members may have identical working names. An actor whose name has already been taken must choose a new name. Notable examples include Nathan Lane, whose birth name, Joseph Lane, was already in use, Stewart Granger, whose birth name was James Stewart, and Michael Keaton, born Michael Douglas. The latter chose the last name Keaton simply because he was an admirer of actress Diane Keaton. Rarely, an actor may change his name if he shares it with a namesake in another field. Albert Brooks, originally Albert Einstein, changed his name so as not to be confused with the renowned physicist. Ethnicity
Ease of useAnother consideration in choosing a stage name is ease of use. The Actors' Equity Association (AEA) advises performers to select a name that is easy for others to pronounce, spell and remember. Some performers while paying great attention to their skills and abilities give little thought to the difference that a well thought out name can make to their career. Often it is only after the realization that a poorly chosen name results in an undesired impression that a person or group decides on a different name. 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.[citation needed] Actor Michael Caine was born Maurice Micklewhite and chose the name Michael because he preferred the sound of it to the less glamorous-sounding "Maurice". He chose the name Caine reputedly because at the precise instant he needed to decide upon his new stage name, he saw a cinema marquee for the then-current movie The Caine Mutiny and thought that it would make a good last name in conjunction with Michael. Musical genresSome types of music are more associated with stage names than others. For example hip hop musicians almost always use stage names, whereas 'classical' composers and performers virtually never do. Some Algerian raï musicians use Cheb (for men) or Chaba (Chebba) for women. Both Arabic words mean "young" (e.g. as in Cheb Khaled, or "Young Khaled"). Multiple stage namesSome performers take a series of different stage names. The British pop singer successful in the 1970s as Alvin Stardust previously went by the stage name of Shane Fenton in the 1960s. He had been born as Bernard William Jewry. Legitimised stage namesMany 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 at the Supreme Court building in New York City 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). Pen namesThe equivalent concept among writers is called a nom de plume or pen-name. ListNote on methodology of the list: Individuals who have dropped their last name and substituted their middle name as their last name are listed. Also listed are individuals who have changed the spelling of one (or more) of their legal names (such as Willem Dafoe). People whose main forename just happens not to be the first one (such as Paul McCartney and Marie Osmond) are not listed here—these are their real names, not stage names. Also, people who are referred to by merely a shortened or informal version of their given name (such as Bob Barker and Jimmie Rodgers) and people who may be popularly (though not necessarily professionally) known by a nickname (such as Robert John ("Mutt") Lange) will not be listed here. See also: List of entertainers by nickname.
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