And Tony Martin, singer. Remembered today for having been in a Marx Brothers movie and for having bedded, er, married the dazzling Cyd Charrise. He was still doing performances at 94!
Wikipedia lists enough other Tony Martins to staff a Wal-Mart.
And John Williams the actor, best known to many for the ad he did for 120 music masterpieces.
Kenny Rogers the singer & Kenny Rogers the MLB pitcher
James Brady, author and columinist for Parade magazine.
James Brady, Reagen press secretary.
James Brady once interviewed James Brady for Parade.
Here are two that should actually be the samer person, given the similarities of their vital info, but aren’t:
Composer Spencer Williams (1889-1965), born in Louisiana. One of his songs was “I Ain’t Got Nobody,” recorded by several generations of singers and David Lee Roth.
Also, multi-talented writer/actor/director Spencer Williams [Jr.] (1893-1969), also born in Louisiana. He was best known as Andy Brown on the TV series “Amos ‘n’ Andy.”
Eva Longoria, actress
Evan Longoria, baseball player
In the 1980’s there was a British comedian by the name of David Copperfield who seemed to have a promising career ahead of him, until his fame was eclipsed by the American magician of the same name.
Elizabeth Taylor, novelist and Elizabeth Taylor, the much married actress.
According to an interview I read,Kate Mosse 's name is close enough to mean she occasionally disappoints people (presumably quite dense people) when they discover she isn’t in fact the model from Croydon.
Jon Favreau, actor and director (most famously of Iron Man).
Jon Favreau, speech writer for Obama.
Just thought of another - there were two blues harmonica players who used the name Sonny Boy Williamson. The first, John Lee Curtis Williamson, was killed by a mugger after leaving a late-night gig. The second, Aleck “Rice” Miller, started using the name while the first Sonny Boy was still alive and, after the first Sonny Boy’s death, claimed to be the “real” Sonny Boy Williamson. Today most blues fans are more familiar with the second Sonny Boy than with the first, and many aren’t aware that there were two of them.
Jack Dempsey, boxing champion (1862–1896)
Jack Dempsey, boxing champion (1895–1983)
There’s three famous singers with the name Vanessa Williams
Ronald Howard, son of Leslie, was a British actor, but there is a more famous actor/diretor named Ron Howard.
I was just noticing today that the actor who plays Martian Manhunter on Smallville has the same name as the eponymous big tobacco company.
And John L. Williams, former NFL fullback (Seahawks and Steelers).
Joe Perry, Aerosmith guitarist
Joe “the Jet” Perry, Hall of Fame running back for the 49ers in the 1950s.
Also, there was an actor “Joe Perry,” although during the last 10 years or so of his career he was listed as “Joseph V. Perry.” He is probably best known among younger folks as Nemo, the pizzeria owner, in “Everybody Loves Raymond.” And among older folks. . . . eh, the most notable think I can remember was as the diner owner in a “Night Gallery” vignette called “Midnight Never Ends.” He typically played bartenders, cabbies, cops, truck drivers. Very busy actor.