Celebrity ListsList RulesVote on the most surprising given name of these comedians
These comedians knew that it's tough to make a name in comedy and that literally making themselves a stage name was the best way to get a leg up in a sea of all the other folks trying to break into show business.
A number of the stand-up comedians and comedic actors on this list simplified their last names to make what they were called catchier or easier to remember. Judy Holliday was born Judith Tuvim and as tovim means "good" in Hebrew and yomtoyvim means holidays, or literally "good days" in Yiddish, her stage name is simply a loose translation of what she was born with. Others changed their names for stranger reasons. Stan Laurel was born Arthur Stanly Jefferson but felt that the 13 letter length of "Stan Jefferson," his original stage name, was unlucky which is why we don't know his comedic team as "Jefferson and Hardy."
This list of famous stage names includes comedians who go by nicknames and famous people who have changed their names. It does not, however, include comedians who use their married surnames professionally, had their names legally changed as children, or celebrities with obviously theatrical stage names. It's pretty clear that "the Cable Guy" isn't Larry's last name.
Some of the names you know for these comedians aren't even the names they were born with or their legal names. Rodney Dangerfield was born Jacob Rodney Cohen and legally changed his name to Jack Roy when he was 19, not taking on his well-known stage name until some years later. Which of these comedians have the most surprising birth names?
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5010Bob Hope - born Leslie Townes Hope
The Bob Hope Show, The 50th Annual Academy AwardsLeslie Townes Hope, KBE, KC*SG, KSS (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003), known professionally as... more2
7030Gene Wilder - born Jerome Silberman
Young Frankenstein, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate FactoryJerome Silberman (June 11, 1933 – August 29, 2016), known professionally as Gene Wilder, was... more- 36425
Mel Brooks - born Melvin Kaminsky
The Producers, SpaceballsMel Brooks (born Melvin Kaminsky, Yiddish: מעלווין קאמינסקי; June 28, 1926) is an American... more - 44711
Stan Laurel - born Arthur Stanley Jefferson
The Flying Deuces, Sons of the DesertStan Laurel (born Arthur Stanley Jefferson; 16 June 1890 – 23 February 1965) was an English... more - 54713
Oliver Hardy - born Norvell Hardy
The Flying Deuces, Sons of the DesertOliver Norvell Hardy (born Norvell Hardy, January 18, 1892 – August 7, 1957) was an American... more - 65117
Rodney Dangerfield - born Jacob Cohen
Back to School, Rover DangerfieldJack Roy (born Jacob Rodney Cohen, November 22, 1921 – October 5, 2004), popularly known by... more - 75928
Tim Allen - born Timothy Alan Dick
Home Improvement, Toy StoryTimothy Alan Dick (born June 13, 1953), known professionally as Tim Allen, is an American... more - 85627
Chevy Chase - born Cornelius Crane Chase
Christmas Vacation, CaddyshackCornelius Crane "Chevy" Chase (; born October 8, 1943) is an American comedian, actor and... more - 93812
George Burns - born Nathan Birnbaum
The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, OhGeorge Burns (born Nathan Birnbaum; Yiddish: נתן בירנבוים; January 20, 1896 – March 9, 1996)... more - 103013
W. C. Fields - born William Claude Dukenfield
The Bank Dick, David CopperfieldWilliam Claude Dukenfield (January 29, 1880 – December 25, 1946), better known as W. C.... more - 113418
Dean Martin - born Dino Paul Crocetti
The Dean Martin Show, The Colgate Comedy HourDino Paul Crocetti (June 7, 1917 – December 25, 1995), known famously as Dean Martin, was an... more - 123522
Jamie Foxx - born Eric Marlon Bishop
Django Unchained, CollateralEric Marlon Bishop (born December 13, 1967), known professionally as Jamie Foxx, is an... more - 132613
Richard Jeni - born Richard John Colangelo
The Mask, An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood BurnRichard John Colangelo (April 14, 1957 – March 10, 2007), better known by the stage name of... more - 142916
Jack Benny - Benjamin Kubelsky
The Jack Benny Program, To be or not To BeJack Benny (born Benjamin Kubelsky, February 14, 1894 – December 26, 1974) (often called... more - 152816
Mel Blanc - born Melvin Jerome Blank
The Flintstones, The Bugs Bunny/Looney Tunes Comedy HourMelvin Jerome Blanc (; May 30, 1908 – July 10, 1989) was an American voice actor and radio... more - 162614
Peter Sellers - born Richard Henry Sellers
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, Being TherePeter Sellers, CBE (born Richard Henry Sellers; 8 September 1925 – 24 July 1980) was an... more - 172615
Benny Hill - born Alfred Hawthorn Hill
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Italian JobAlfred Hawthorne "Benny" Hill (21 January 1924 – 20 April 1992) was an English comedian and... more - 182514
Milton Berle - born Milton Berlinger
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Laughs: America's Funniest Movies, The Hollywood PalaceMilton Berle (born Mendel Berlinger; Yiddish: מענדעל בערלינגער; July 12, 1908 – March 27,... more - 192413
Danny Thomas - born Amos Muzyad Yakhoob Kairouz
The Andy Griffith Show, The Dick Van Dyke ShowDanny Thomas (born Amos Muzyad Yaqoob Kairouz; January 6, 1912 – February 6, 1991) was an... more - 202010
James Garner - born James Scott Bumgarner
The Rockford Files, The NotebookJames Garner (born April 7, 1928 – July 19, 2014) was an American actor, producer, and voice... more - 212619
Lily Tomlin - born Mary Jean Tomlin
I Heart Huckabees, Nine to FiveMary Jean "Lily" Tomlin (born September 1, 1939) is an American actress, comedian, writer,... more - 22168
Judy Holliday - born Judith Tuvim
On the Town, Adam's RibJudy Holliday (born Judith Tuvim, June 21, 1921 – June 7, 1965) was an American actress,... more - 232419
Kevin James - born Kevin George Knipfing
The King of Queens, Here Comes the BoomKevin James (born April 26, 1965) is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer.... more - 242420
Freddie Prinze - born Frederick Karl Pruetzel
Chico and the Man, The Million Dollar Rip-OffFreddie James Prinze (born Frederick Karl Pruetzel; June 22, 1954 – January 29, 1977) was an... more - 251711
Al Jolson - born Asa Yoelson
Goodfellas, The Jolson StoryAl Jolson (born Asa Yoelson; May 26, 1886 – October 23, 1950) was an American singer,... more
