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Post by ZolotoyRetriever on Mar 7, 2017 23:07:18 GMT
Just learned today that actor Gig Young was born with the name of Byron Barr, and used that name professionally for a while during the early part of his career. But apparently there was a need for him to change his name because there was already another actor by the name of Byron Barr.
So, he ended up taking the name Gig Young from a character of the same name that he played in the 1942 Barbara Stanwyck film, The Gay Sisters. He must have accomplished the name change before the picture wrapped, because in the on-screen credits at the end of the film, it lists Gig Young as Gig Young.
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Post by Doghouse6 on Mar 7, 2017 23:35:00 GMT
Just learned today that actor Gig Young was born with the name of Byron Barr, and used that name professionally for a while during the early part of his career. But apparently there was a need for him to change his name because there was already another actor by the name of Byron Barr.
So, he ended up taking the name Gig Young from a character of the same name that he played in the 1942 Barbara Stanwyck film, The Gay Sisters. He must have accomplished the name change before the picture wrapped, because in the on-screen credits at the end of the film, it lists Gig Young as Gig Young.
Well, not quite accurate. Young appeared in a dozen films, beginning in 1940, as Byron Barr before effecting the name change. The other Byron Barr didn't make his film debut until 1944's Double Indemnity (undoubtedly the one for which he's best remembered). The circumstances you describe more closely fit those involving Stewart Granger (born James Stewart) whose first credited screen role was in 1939, well after James Stewart had come to prominence (although Granger had made unbilled appearances as far back as 1933). |
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Post by snsurone on Mar 8, 2017 16:37:37 GMT
Same thing with actress Anne Shirley.
She started her career as Dawn o'Day, but after starring in ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, she changed her professional name to that of the character she played.
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Post by koskiewicz on Mar 8, 2017 16:57:12 GMT
...what's in a name? Good thread. Carl Henry Vogt, AKA Louis Calhern, affable Hollywood character actor whose screen name was an anagram of his real name.
Louis Lindley, AKA Slim Pickens was an early rodeo clown before he became an actor...
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Post by Richard Kimble on Mar 8, 2017 17:51:15 GMT
Gig, Anne Shirley, and L.Q. Jones -- born Justus McQueen; played a character named L.Q. Jones in Battle Cry -- make up the answer to one of my all time fave trivia questions
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Post by Richard Kimble on Mar 8, 2017 17:53:18 GMT
"Bradford Dillman" said that actor, "sounded like a distinguished, theatrical, phony name. So I kept it." |
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Post by marshamae on Mar 8, 2017 17:56:16 GMT
I always think it's interesting when an actor changes names after the career is under way. Barbara Hershy's multiple name changes , with or without the Seagull, was responding to spiritual and political ideas, and her relationship with David Carradine.
Jaime Lynn Sigler, who changed her last name to DiScala midway through the Sopranos, was paying homage to a marriage that lasted a very short time, and she was back to Sigler before Season 6. I don't even know what the gossip blogs say, but it looks as though the husband was having anxiety about her success before the marriage got started.
Patti Duke ,who added Astin but wisely did not insist on dropping Duke or being called Anna, despite the trauma associated with the childhood name change.... However it happened her professional identity as Patty Duke was authentic and represented years of hard work and success.
All of these actresses started young made it through the teen years and established themselves with successful adult careers. They have done this despite possibly career damaging name changes , motivated by a desire to control their identity.
Happy women's Day !
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Post by Richard Kimble on Mar 8, 2017 17:56:39 GMT
The circumstances you describe more closely fit those involving Stewart Granger (born James Stewart) whose first credited screen role was in 1939, well after James Stewart had come to prominence (although Granger had made unbilled appearances as far back as 1933). Ditto with Fannie Flagg (born Patricia Neal) |
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Post by mattgarth on Mar 8, 2017 17:57:50 GMT
Also actress Donna Lee Hickey took her character's name of 'May Wynn' professionally from THE CAINE MUTINY.
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Post by Richard Kimble on Mar 8, 2017 18:02:44 GMT
Also actress Donna Lee Hickey took her character's name of 'May Wynn' professionally from THE CAINE MUTINY. And of course you took the name "Matt Garth" from Chuck Heston's character in Midway |
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Post by mattgarth on Mar 8, 2017 19:10:50 GMT
That's correct, Dr. Kimble. And have you noticed how closely Chuck resembles Monty Clift in that accompanying image there from THE BIG COUNTRY?
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Post by Richard Kimble on Mar 8, 2017 20:19:18 GMT
have you noticed how closely Chuck resembles Monty Clift in that accompanying image there from THE BIG COUNTRY? As Chuck himself says in A Couple of Dons (classic TV special with Adams and Rickles from 1969): "I always thought I was taller" |
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Post by Doghouse6 on Mar 8, 2017 23:16:33 GMT
The circumstances you describe more closely fit those involving Stewart Granger (born James Stewart) whose first credited screen role was in 1939, well after James Stewart had come to prominence (although Granger had made unbilled appearances as far back as 1933). Ditto with Fannie Flagg (born Patricia Neal) Thanks! I never knew that, Doc (I'll understand if you prefer not to be addressed that way; y'never know where or when that pesky Lt. Gerard may be lurking). |
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Post by neurosturgeon on Mar 9, 2017 18:52:35 GMT
When I saw the topic about Gig Young, it had me recalling the time I referred to him online as a "murderer" and was verbally attacked by someone saying 'how dare I' say that.
Actor Michael Keaton had to change his name, as his birth name was Michael Douglas.
Cyd Charisse first entered films as Lily Norwood, using her mother's maiden name, but MGM wanted something more exotic.
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