Birth Names of Famous People Trivia Quiz

Answer: Eddie Albert

Born in 1906, Albert studied at the University of Minnesota, majoring in business. He served his country during World War II in both the Navy and Coast Guard. Eddie Albert spent six decades in show business, his career spanning everything from major movies to the Broadway stage, including starring as Ali Hakim in the 1955 movie musical "Oklahoma".

That name change? Albert claimed his surname was often mispronounced as "hamburger," so he used his middle name instead.

Answer: Woody Allen

Born in 1935, Woody Allen's career began in comedy as both a writer and stand-up comedian. After high school graduation, Allen attended New York University for a time, majoring in communications. Ultimately, a college degree became uninteresting and Allen began a successful career as a writer, actor, and director.

Controversy came calling in the 90s when Allen married his former partner, Mia Farrow's, adopted daughter, Soon-Yi Previn.

The name change? Allen took a stage name that sounded less Jewish, legally changing his name to Heywood Allen in the early 1950s (and that got shortened to "Woody").

Answer: Julie Andrews

Born in 1935, Julie Andrews grew up in a tumultuous home in England. Her mother (herself a performer), encouraged her talents, enrolling the girl in the Cone-Ripman School where she trained her four-octave instrument with Madame Lillian Stiles-Allen. During World War II, Andrews traveled with her parents, entertaining troops on the circuit before she caught a break singing at the London Hippodrome. From there, the world became her stage as she took on a wide variety of roles as both a singer and an actress.

That name change? This one isn't too surprising, Julie took the last name of her stepfather, Ted Andrews, who supported her young career and vocal training.

Answer: Fred Astaire

Born in 1899, Fred Astaire spent his early years on the vaudeville stage with his sister, Adele. With several decades of entertaining under his belt, Astaire ended up testing for RKO Pictures that famously noted the actor as someone that "Can't sing. Can't act. Balding. Can dance a little." Despite this, Astaire's charm was more than enough to secure him a contract and Astaire got busy in musicals, a genre popular at that time.

That name change? Fred's mom felt the surname of her youngsters sounded like something from the Napoleonic Wars, so she changed it.

Answer: Frankie Avalon

Born in 1940, Frankie Avalon rode teen idol fame through song and screen. Avalon appeared on such shows as The Jackie Gleason Show as a singer and chart topper. His most famous series paired him with Annette Funicello, the duo starring in Beach Party, then Muscle Beach Party, and then Bikini Beach.

Avalon's star rose again in 1978's "Grease" where he appeared as the Teen Angel singing "Beauty School Dropout."

That name change? I couldn't find anything definitive, but it's probably an Americanized version of his birth name.

Answer: Lauren Bacall

Born in 1924, Lauren Bacall was known for her classic good looks and sultry voice. It must have made quite the impression on her first costar, Humphrey Bogart, as they married in 1945, starring in multiple movies together, including "The Big Sleep" and "Key Largo." The two remained inseparable until Bogart's death in 1957.

That name change? Bacall was a derivative of Lauren's mother's maiden name.

Answer: Anne Bancroft

Born in 1931, Anne Bancroft grew up in the Bronx with her Italian immigrant parents. The first of many awards, Bancroft won her first Tony for her role in "Two for the Seesaw," followed by a second Tony for her work in "The Miracle Worker" (she also won an Oscar for the film adaptation of this role).

She met her husband, Mel Brooks, in 1961 on the set of Perry Como's variety show and the two were devoted until her death of uterine cancer.

That name change? Bancroft was chosen at the insistence of studio executive, Darryl Zanuck, as being a more dignified selection.

Answer: Jamie Foxx

Born in 1967, Jamie Foxx was raised by his maternal grandparents, to whom he credited his success. Perhaps not surprising given his prowess as Ray Charles, Foxx began playing piano when he was only five, eventually becoming the pianist for his Baptist church choir.

Foxx broke into comedy doing standup in 1989 after being dared by his girlfriend and became part of the In Living Color cast shortly thereafter.

That name change? Foxx chose his stage name as a nod to black comedian, Redd Foxx.

Answer: Tony Bennett

Born in 1926, Tony Bennett grew up in Queens to Italian immigrant parents. His early influences was from the big band genre and jazz with Judy Garland, Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong among his favorites. A stint in the U.S. Army during World War II resulted in him using his GI Bill money to study the bel canto singing style. A recording contract with Columbia Records soon followed, launching many decades worth of professional performances.

That name change? That came courtesy of fellow performer, Bob Hope, who wanted to take Tony on tour and simplified his moniker.

Answer: Lady Gaga

Born in 1986 in Manhattan, Lady Gaga was raised in an all-girls private Catholic school. Talented from an early age, she began playing piano at age four, dabbling in musical theater and method acting which culminated into her admission to New York University's music school.

Gaga eventually signed a short-termed contract with Def Jam Recordings, and then set out on her own as a songwriter for Britney Spears, Fergie and the Pussycat Dolls. Things finally came together for her in her own right with her debut album, The Fame, which resulted in the first of her many Grammy nominations.