During the Golden Age, it was common for actors and actresses to change their name, e.g. Norma Jean Baker to Marilyn Monroe and Marion Morrison to John Wayne. But I wonder, did any of the numerous men and women keep their birth names legally? Specifically, did they use their birth names for banking, property, contracts, etc?
Here’s John Wayne’s death certificate showing Marion Morrison.
Marilyn Monroe’s said Marilyn Monroe.
Michael Caine legally changed his name in 2016 because he was tired of getting confused responses from officials when he presented ID saying “Maurice Micklewhite”.
Jack Benny kept his legal name, Benjamin Kubelsky, for his entire life. He never changed it. Neither did Nathan Birnbaum, better known as George Burns. I’m sure there were many others.
According to his daughter, Boris Karloff never changed his legal name, William Henry Pratt. She said that he signed legal documents with both names: “William H. Pratt, a.k.a. Boris Karloff.”
Yes.
(That being said, the person shown above did legally change her name to Marilyn Monroe two years after this card was issued, so she’s an example of keeping the birth name and using the stage name legally.)
Harpo Marx did legally change his name. He was born Adolph Marx and changed it to Arthur. Oddly, from our perspective, since he did it in 1911.