Stage Name or Not? Trivia Quiz

Answer:

Martin Sheen's real name is Ramon Gerard Antonio Estevez. In a 2003 interview he explained that he adopted the name Martin Sheen early in his career as he felt his real name was holding him back from getting jobs. Sheen has starred in many major movies and is well known for playing the role of US President Jed Bartlet in the TV show 'The West Wing'.

Skylar Grey is an American singer/songwriter whose real name is Holly Brook Hafermann. Her first album, 'Like Blood Like Honey', was released under the name Holly Brook, but subsequent releases have seen her use the name Skylar Grey. As well as her own albums, Grey has written a number of songs for other performers including co-writing 'Love the Way You Lie' for Eminem.

Marilyn Monroe was born with the name Norma Jeane Mortenson. She adopted her stage name after she signed her first movie contract with 20th Century-Fox, with Marilyn being inspired by the Broadway star Marilyn Miller and Monroe being her mother's maiden name. Monroe starred in many major films, including 'The Seven Year Itch' and 'Some Like it Hot'.

Lana Del Rey is an American singer/songwriter with the real name Elizabeth Woolridge Grant. She choose her stage name ahead of her debut album being released and picked Lana Del Rey as she felt it fit her music and was inspired by spending time with Cuban friends in Florida.

Ringo Starr is the stage name of the musician Richard Starkey, best known as the drummer in The Beatles. He joined the band in 1962 after being asked to replace Pete Best as the band's drummer. Following the break up of The Beatles, Starr released solo material, including the single 'Back Off Boogaloo', which reached number 2 in the UK chart. Alongside music, he has also had acting roles in a number of movies.

Whoopi Goldberg is the stage name of Caryn Elaine Johnson, an American actor and comedian. Her film acting breakthrough occurred in 1985 when she played Celie in the film 'The Colour Purple'. She is also known for starring as Delores in the movie 'Sister Act' and its sequel.

Elton John is a British singer/songwriter who was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight in 1947. He learned to play piano as a child and studied at the Royal Academy of Music. In 1967 he started working with lyricist Bernie Taupin, and adopted the name Elton John as a combination of the names of two members of his early band, Bluesology.

Calvin Harris is the stage name of Adam Richard Wiles, a Scottish DJ and record producer. He has stated in interviews that Calvin Harris is his stage alter-ego, and that when not performing he prefers to be called Adam. His singles 'Ready for the Weekend' and '18 Months' both reached number one in the UK.

Jamie Foxx is the stage name of US actor and comedian Eric Marlon Bishop. He adopted the name Jamie Foxx when starting out as a comedian at open mic nights, as he found that female comedians were often called up first and felt the name Jamie Foxx was ambiguous as regards gender. The surname Foxx was chosen as a tribute to comedian Redd Foxx. Foxx won the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Ray Charles in the 2004 movie 'Ray'.

Vin Diesel is the stage name of Mark Sinclair, an American actor. He started to use the name Vin Diesel as he thought it sounded tough when he was working as a bouncer at a New York nightclub, with the Vin deriving from his mother's married name of Vincent. He is known for starring in 'The Fast and Furious' series of movies and the 'Guardian's of the Galaxy' movies.