These Celebrities Don't Actually Use Their Real Names

Some celebrities change their name in order to make it in the industry, some change it due to familial reasons, and some just don't like their name to begin with. Find out which of your favorite stars have actually been using a moniker this whole time. 

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe was actually born Norma Jeane Mortenson. She's had several different names throughout her life, but the story of how she chose "Marilyn" as her stage name didn't come until later. She was born with the last name Mortenson, baptized as Baker, and married into Dougherty.

Infamous Stage Name

Time magazine reported that Norma Jeane scrapped "Dougherty" because studio executives believed people would pronounce it too many different ways and needed something simpler. She suggested the last name "Monroe" from her mother's side of the family. An exec then deemed her "Marilyn" because he reminded her of 1920s Broadway star Marilyn Miller.

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The More You Know

  • A far cry from her upper-class role on Gossip Girl, Leighton Meester was born in prison; her mother was serving time for smuggling drugs.
  • In 1978, Tim Allen was arrested for possession of 1.4 pounds of cocaine and was sentenced to three to seven years in jail. He was let out on parole after two years and four months.
  • Elvis Presley was a natural blonde.
  • At age 15, Cristiano Ronaldo was diagnosed with a heart condition that required surgery, he was briefly sidelined and made a full recovery.
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Post originally appeared on Upbeat News.