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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7826Gene Wilder - born Jerome Silberman
Young Frankenstein, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate FactoryAge: 87
Birthplace: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
Jerome Silberman (June 11, 1933 – August 29, 2016), known professionally as Gene Wilder, was... more2
7124Mel Brooks - born Melvin Kaminsky
The Producers, SpaceballsAge: 94
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America
Mel Brooks (born Melvin Kaminsky, Yiddish: מעלווין קאמינסקי; June 28, 1926) is an American... more3
5212Bob Hope - born Leslie Townes Hope
The Bob Hope Show, The 50th Annual Academy AwardsAge: Died at 100 (1903-2003)
Birthplace: London, England
Leslie Townes Hope, KBE, KC*SG, KSS (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003), known professionally as... more4
5013Stan Laurel - born Arthur Stanley Jefferson
The Flying Deuces, Sons of the DesertAge: Dec. at 75 (1890-1965)
Birthplace: Ulverston, United Kingdom
Stan Laurel (born Arthur Stanley Jefferson; 16 June 1890 – 23 February 1965) was an English... more5
4913Oliver Hardy - born Norvell Hardy
The Flying Deuces, Sons of the DesertAge: Dec. at 65 (1892-1957)
Birthplace: Harlem, Georgia, United States of America
Oliver Norvell Hardy (born Norvell Hardy, January 18, 1892 – August 7, 1957) was an American... more6
5419Rodney Dangerfield - born Jacob Cohen
Back to School, Rover DangerfieldAge: Dec. at 83 (1921-2004)
Birthplace: Deer Park, New York, United States of America
Jack Roy (born Jacob Rodney Cohen, November 22, 1921 – October 5, 2004), popularly known by... more7
6329Tim Allen - born Timothy Alan Dick
Home Improvement, Toy StoryAge: 67
Birthplace: Denver, Colorado, United States of America
Timothy Alan Dick (born June 13, 1953), known professionally as Tim Allen, is an American... more8
6129Chevy Chase - born Cornelius Crane Chase
Christmas Vacation, CaddyshackAge: 77
Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York, Lower Manhattan
Cornelius Crane "Chevy" Chase (; born October 8, 1943) is an American comedian, actor and... more9
4113George Burns - born Nathan Birnbaum
The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, OhAge: Dec. at 100 (1896-1996)
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America
George Burns (born Nathan Birnbaum; Yiddish: נתן בירנבוים; January 20, 1896 – March 9, 1996)... more10
3619Dean Martin - born Dino Paul Crocetti
The Dean Martin Show, The Colgate Comedy HourAge: Dec. at 78 (1917-1995)
Birthplace: Steubenville, Ohio, United States of America
Dino Paul Crocetti (June 7, 1917 – December 25, 1995), known famously as Dean Martin, was an... more11
3214W. C. Fields - born William Claude Dukenfield
The Bank Dick, David CopperfieldAge: Dec. at 66 (1880-1946)
Birthplace: USA, Darby, Pennsylvania
William Claude Dukenfield (January 29, 1880 – December 25, 1946), better known as W. C.... more12
3218Jack Benny - Benjamin Kubelsky
The Jack Benny Program, To be or not To BeAge: Dec. at 80 (1894-1974)
Birthplace: USA, Chicago, Illinois
Jack Benny (born Benjamin Kubelsky, February 14, 1894 – December 26, 1974) (often called... more13
3523Jamie Foxx - born Eric Marlon Bishop
Django Unchained, CollateralAge: 52
Birthplace: Terrell, Texas, United States of America
Eric Marlon Bishop (born December 13, 1967), known professionally as Jamie Foxx, is an... more14
2917Mel Blanc - born Melvin Jerome Blank
The Flintstones, The Bugs Bunny/Looney Tunes Comedy HourAge: Dec. at 81 (1908-1989)
Birthplace: California, United States of America
Melvin Jerome Blanc (; May 30, 1908 – July 10, 1989) was an American voice actor and radio... more15
2716Peter Sellers - born Richard Henry Sellers
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, Being ThereAge: Dec. at 55 (1925-1980)
Birthplace: South East England, Eurasia, South West England, Dorset, United Kingdom
Peter Sellers, CBE (born Richard Henry Sellers; 8 September 1925 – 24 July 1980) was an... more16
2817Benny Hill - born Alfred Hawthorn Hill
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Italian JobAge: Dec. at 68 (1924-1992)
Birthplace: Southampton, United Kingdom
Alfred Hawthorne "Benny" Hill (21 January 1924 – 20 April 1992) was an English comedian and... more17
2514Danny Thomas - born Amos Muzyad Yakhoob Kairouz
The Andy Griffith Show, The Dick Van Dyke ShowAge: Dec. at 79 (1912-1991)
Birthplace: Deerfield, Michigan, United States of America
Danny Thomas (born Amos Muzyad Yaqoob Kairouz; January 6, 1912 – February 6, 1991) was an... more18
2616Milton Berle - born Milton Berlinger
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Laughs: America's Funniest Movies, The Hollywood PalaceAge: Dec. at 94 (1908-2002)
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America
Milton Berle (born Mendel Berlinger; Yiddish: מענדעל בערלינגער; July 12, 1908 – March 27,... more19
2312James Garner - born James Scott Bumgarner
The Rockford Files, The NotebookAge: Died at 86 (1928-2014)
Birthplace: Norman, Oklahoma, USA
James Garner (born April 7, 1928 – July 19, 2014) was an American actor, producer, and voice... more20
199Judy Holliday - born Judith Tuvim
On the Town, Adam's RibAge: Dec. at 44 (1921-1965)
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America
Judy Holliday (born Judith Tuvim, June 21, 1921 – June 7, 1965) was an American actress,... more21
2720Freddie Prinze - born Frederick Karl Pruetzel
Chico and the Man, The Million Dollar Rip-OffAge: Dec. at 23 (1954-1977)
Birthplace: New York City, New York
Freddie James Prinze (born Frederick Karl Pruetzel; June 22, 1954 – January 29, 1977) was an... more22
2519Lily Tomlin - born Mary Jean Tomlin
I Heart Huckabees, Nine to FiveAge: 81
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
Mary Jean "Lily" Tomlin (born September 1, 1939) is an American actress, comedian, writer,... more23
2521Kevin James - born Kevin George Knipfing
The King of Queens, Here Comes the BoomAge: 55
Birthplace: Mineola, New York, United States of America
Kevin James (born April 26, 1965) is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer.... more24
1913Al Jolson - born Asa Yoelson
Goodfellas, The Jolson StoryAge: Dec. at 64 (1886-1950)
Birthplace: Seredžius, Lithuania
Al Jolson (born Asa Yoelson; May 26, 1886 – October 23, 1950) was an American singer,... more25
3129Joan Rivers - born Joan Alexandra Molinsky
Fashion Police, The Joan Rivers ShowAge: Dec. at 81 (1933-2014)
Birthplace: New York City, New York
Joan Alexandra Molinsky (June 8, 1933 – September 4, 2014), known professionally as Joan... more
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