# Stage names or real names used in real life? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 24, 2007, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stage-names-or-real-names-used-in-real-life/427631 "2007-11-24T19:18:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2007, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stage-names-or-real-names-used-in-real-life/427631/41 "2007-11-27T04:40:29Z")
I can’t offer a cite for this, just a memory that young Allen Konigsberg was called “Woody” by the kids in his Brooklyn neighborhood because he was always playing stickball. Also, when U2 was first touring in the U.S., they appeared on the radio show “Rockline,” and I recall the band laughingly saying that not only did David Evans use the name The Edge full time, the band addressed his mother (who was their first business manager) as “Mrs. Edge.” - Among celebs who go by their “real” names in private life… 1. John Denver was known as “Dutch” to all his friends, because his real last name was Deutschendorf. 2. Iggy Pop (ne James Osterberg) is still “Jim” to friends like David Bowie. 3. Rodney Dangerfield’s real name was Jacob Roy Cohen and he had performed as “Jack Roy” for many years before he became successful using his famous alias. He was still “Jack” to family and old friends. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2007, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stage-names-or-real-names-used-in-real-life/427631/42 "2007-11-27T13:24:13Z")
I’m the first one to mention Reginald Kenneth Dwight, a/k/a [Sir Elton Herculus John](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elton_John) ---
**Author:** ![nd\_n8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/439d5e/32.png) [@nd\_n8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nd_n8)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2007, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stage-names-or-real-names-used-in-real-life/427631/43 "2007-11-27T14:35:02Z")
[QUOTE=Tool of the Conspiracy] \ I recently read an article about an old-time comedian who was born Harry Einstein, but went by the name Harry Parke. (He famously died in Milton Berle’s lap at a Friar’s Club Roast.) Two of his three sons also became comedians: Bob Einstein, better known as Super Dave Osborne, and Albert Einstein, better known as Albert Brooks. \ [/QUOTE] From Wiki: > [@](#): > > Parke died from a heart attack at a Friar’s Club Roast of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz on November 24, 1958 in Los Angeles, California.[1] When Parke slumped onto Milton Berle’s lap at the event, Berle asked “Is there a doctor in the house?”; this remark was met with laughter, as the crowd was unaware that Berle was being serious. Berle then directed crooner Tony Martin to sing a song to divert the crowd’s attention; Martin’s unfortunate choice was “There’s No Tomorrow.” That is the most tragically hillarious (or hillariously tragic) thing I have ever heard. \ I had no idea that Albert Brooks and Super Dave Osborne were brothers, nor did I know Harry Einstein was once **Harry Parkyakarkus**. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2007, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stage-names-or-real-names-used-in-real-life/427631/44 "2007-11-27T15:17:05Z")
[QUOTE=Annie-Xmas] I’m the first one to mention Reginald Kenneth Dwight, a/k/a [Sir Elton Herculus John](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elton_John) [/QUOTE] It seems to me that he uses both names professionally and personally in a rather haphazard fashion. There is a deed poll reflecting an official name change, but it seems to me that he still regards Reginald Dwight as being his “real” name. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2007, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stage-names-or-real-names-used-in-real-life/427631/45 "2007-11-27T17:32:27Z")
[QUOTE=Dangerosa] Lauren Bacall has always been Betty. [/QUOTE] Story: my dad worked as an usher at CBS during the 50’s in LA, when he was a teenager. His running buddy was fellow usher [Bert Convy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bert_Convy) (Wikipedia link). Dad got bottles of booze from Jack Benny and cards from other celebrities - which he promptly threw away, to his longstanding regret. One night during a live TV broadcast staring Lauren Bacall - I think it was Blithe _Spirit_? - the backstage phone rang. Dad answered and Bogie’s clearly-recognizable voice says “yeah - is Betty there?” Dad just about freaked but got Ms. Bogart on the phone when he could… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stage-names-or-real-names-used-in-real-life/427631.md?page=2)