# Didn't expect to see THAT name in the credits! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 1, 2017, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-expect-to-see-that-name-in-the-credits/781107 "2017-03-01T15:27:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2017, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-expect-to-see-that-name-in-the-credits/781107/81 "2017-03-05T20:46:27Z")
Fred Savage, of _The Wonder Years_ fame, has directed several episodes of _It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia_. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2017, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-expect-to-see-that-name-in-the-credits/781107/82 "2017-03-05T22:48:19Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Fred Savage, of _The Wonder Years_ fame, has directed several episodes of _It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia_. And Sean Astin once directed an episode of Angel. Being TV, you couldn’t tell other than his name was in the credits. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2017, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-expect-to-see-that-name-in-the-credits/781107/83 "2017-03-05T23:08:30Z")
If you look at Fred Savage’s IMDB page, you’ll see that he’s directed episodes of many shows (Party Down, Modern Family, 2 Broke Girls, etc.). ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2017, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-expect-to-see-that-name-in-the-credits/781107/84 "2017-03-05T23:11:09Z")
I once rented a videotape (yes, it was a long time ago) of a documentary on jazz pianist Thelonius Monk. As the opening credits rolled, the producer and director was listed as Clint Eastwood. This was after Clint had directed “Bird”, the biopic of saxophonist Charlie Parker, so I knew about his interest in jazz. But it surprised me that he worked in such obscurity - his name had been splashed all over “Bird”. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-expect-to-see-that-name-in-the-credits/781107/85 "2017-03-06T12:14:44Z")
I watched The Boondock Saints again the other day and noticed Bob Marley in the credits. Turns out it’s some other Bob Marley. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-expect-to-see-that-name-in-the-credits/781107/86 "2017-03-06T14:40:23Z")
TCM showed [The Last of Sheila (1973)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070291/combined) last night. The credited writers: Stephen Sondheim and Anthony Perkins. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-expect-to-see-that-name-in-the-credits/781107/87 "2017-03-06T14:50:48Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#): > > TCM showed [The Last of Sheila (1973)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070291/combined) last night. The credited writers: Stephen Sondheim and Anthony Perkins. Have a look at post #24 ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-expect-to-see-that-name-in-the-credits/781107/88 "2017-03-06T15:33:11Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > “Christopher Lloyd” pops up in the credits of a lot of sitcoms besides _Taxi_, including _Frasier_, _The Golden Girls_, _Wings_, and _Modern Family_. Turns out that this isn’t the actor but a producer and writer of the same name. The Screen Actor’s Guild doesn’t allow two people to use the same “screen name”, hence things like Michael Hall, Michael Anthony Hall or Michael J. Fox, etc. However, I suspect the Producer Chris Lloyd isn’t a member of SAG, so the rules don’t apply. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-expect-to-see-that-name-in-the-credits/781107/89 "2017-03-06T15:51:07Z")
The Top Gear thread reminded me that when I tuned in for the post-Clarkson version last year, I expected to see Captain America. Who’s this shouty red headed geek with the Harry Caray glasses? Oh, _that’s_ Chris Evans! ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-expect-to-see-that-name-in-the-credits/781107/90 "2017-03-06T23:30:44Z")
There is director Paul T. Anderson > **[Paul Thomas Anderson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Thomas_Anderson)** > > Paul Thomas Anderson (born June 26, 1970), also known by his initials PTA, is an American filmmaker. His films have consistently garnered critical acclaim. Anderson's films are often psychological dramas and characterized by depictions of flawed and desperate characters, explorations of themes such as dysfunctional families, alienation, loneliness and redemption, and a bold visual style that uses moving camera and long takes. Anderson has been nominated for eleven Academy Awards, three Gold He ... and director Paul W. S. Anderson > **[Paul W. S. Anderson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_W._S._Anderson)** > > Paul William Scott Anderson (born 4 March 1965) is an English filmmaker who regularly works in science fiction films and video game adaptations. > Anderson made his feature film debut with the British independent film Shopping (1994), and found commercial success with his second film, the Hollywood-produced Mortal Kombat (1995), based on the first couple of video games of the same name by Midway Games. He is best known as the creative voice behind the first six films of the Resident Evil film s... and for good measure director Wes Anderson > **[Wes Anderson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wes_Anderson)** > > Wesley Wales Anderson (born May 1, 1969) is an American filmmaker. His films are known for their eccentricity and unique visual and narrative styles. They often contain themes of grief, loss of innocence, and dysfunctional families. Cited by some critics as a modern-day example of the work of an auteur, three of Anderson's films have appeared in BBC Culture's 2016 poll of the greatest films since 2000. > He gained acclaim for his early work Bottle Rocket (1996), and Rushmore (1998). During this ... ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-expect-to-see-that-name-in-the-credits/781107/91 "2017-03-06T23:38:23Z")
> [@F.U.Shakespeare](#): > > I once rented a videotape (yes, it was a long time ago) of a documentary on jazz pianist Thelonius Monk. > > As the opening credits rolled, the producer and director was listed as Clint Eastwood. This was after Clint had directed “Bird”, the biopic of saxophonist Charlie Parker, so I knew about his interest in jazz. > > But it surprised me that he worked in such obscurity - his name had been splashed all over “Bird”. This reminds me that Danny DeVito was a producer of _Pulp Fiction_. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-expect-to-see-that-name-in-the-credits/781107/92 "2017-03-06T23:50:32Z")
I have a friend named Steve FitzMaurice who’s a musician in the Los Angeles area. Not the same guy named Steve FitzMaurice who’s a Grammy winning producer. I went to high school with a guy who went on to work at Skywalker. I always look for his name in credits. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2017, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-expect-to-see-that-name-in-the-credits/781107/93 "2017-03-08T22:51:29Z")
A number of years ago, I watched **Chariots of Fire** for the first time, and in the opening credits saw a familiar name: “Executive Producer - Dodi Fayed”. Princess Diana’s boyfriend? The one who dies with her in the Paris tunnel? I checked on IMDb and yup, same guy. He apparently produced a number of movies, including **Hook** and **F/X**. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-expect-to-see-that-name-in-the-credits/781107/94 "2017-03-09T00:51:38Z")
This weekend past I watched the last part of a Hitchcock movie on TCM. The movie was Saboteur, from 1942. Near the end a bad guy is killed by falling from the Statue of Liberty. I didn’t watch the credits, but that guy’s name was mentioned. It was a 28 year old Norman Lloyd, who’s still alive at 102. He was well known as Dr. Auchlander on St. Elsewhere, as well as , obviously, a ton of other roles. I had him in the DeathPool a while back, but he didn’t have the grace to give me points. I never would have recognized him. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-expect-to-see-that-name-in-the-credits/781107/95 "2017-03-09T01:26:25Z")
As timely as this week’s news. . . Some years ago, one of the cable channels started showing ‘Beverly Hillbillies’ from the beginning. One of the names in the closing credits of the very first ep was ‘Bob Osborne.’ At the time, I wondered if it might have been the TCM host. I rewound it to his scene, and although I assumed they were the same person (and they were), I never would have been able to identify him ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-expect-to-see-that-name-in-the-credits/781107/96 "2017-03-09T16:20:19Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > I was very surprised to see Tom Cruise’s name in the end credits of _Tropic Thunder_. 😕 He’s in the movie. ---
**Author:** ![Orr\_G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ee59a6/32.png) [@Orr\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orr_G)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-expect-to-see-that-name-in-the-credits/781107/97 "2017-03-09T20:12:26Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > 😕 He’s in the movie. A lot of people have mentioned being surprised that the character Cruise plays is played by Cruise. He definitely plays a different-acting and -looking character than we’re used to seeing from him, and I often see that sort of comment come up on Reddit, etc., when the movie is mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-expect-to-see-that-name-in-the-credits/781107/98 "2017-03-09T20:40:58Z")
If you watch old Amicus Horror films from the 1960s and '70s, you often see the name of Tony Curtis in the credits. Not _that_ Tony Curtis. [This one](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0193532/#art_director). ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-expect-to-see-that-name-in-the-credits/781107/99 "2017-03-09T20:49:43Z")
Just thought of an amusing one. In the credits for _Withnail and I_, you’ll see the name of a Peter Best–probably not the Pete Best who was once one of the Beatles. But then there’s George Harrison and Richard Starkey–the ones who _were_ Beatles. There’s also a Peter Frampton–nothing to do with the Beatles unless you count that Sgt. Pepper movie, but it’s more likely the same guy mentioned above. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-expect-to-see-that-name-in-the-credits/781107/100 "2017-03-09T21:05:50Z")
> [@Orr\_G](#): > > A lot of people have mentioned being surprised that the character Cruise plays is played by Cruise. He definitely plays a different-acting and -looking character than we’re used to seeing from him, and I often see that sort of comment come up on Reddit, etc., when the movie is mentioned. Then I would expect those same people to be surprised when they see Robert Downy Jr.'s credit come up for the same movie [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-expect-to-see-that-name-in-the-credits/781107.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-expect-to-see-that-name-in-the-credits/781107.md?page=6)