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Pseudonyms
Posted: Jan 02, 2008 in Culture, Music, Movies, TV and Celebrities
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Albert Brooks didn't have to be as smart as Einstein to figure out he had to change his name.
Albert Einstein (not the scientist, but some poor schmuck who was stuck with the name of a famous person) knew he couldn't make it in show biz with that moniker. So he became Albert Brooks. The list of celebrities who use made-up names can go on and on.
So, I'm interested in hearing from local artists and performers who use pseudonyms (or stage or pen names). Tell me why you do so.
If I get 12 responses from people who use pseudonyms, I'll reveal why I changed my name.
I don't use a pen name or a pseudonym, but I'm compelled to answer (as I continue to climb the Karma ladder), anyway...if only to be one of the twelve answers you need to reveal why YOU changed your name.
If I were ever to become a performer or artist (lacking talent notwithstanding) I would definitely change my name. Why? Because I've had my last name for 17 years and in 17 years I've never heard ANYONE pronounce it correctly the first time...quite often peoople can't even pronounce it correctly after being TOLD how to pronounce it. I answer to anything close at this point, but if I'm ever touched by fame...I'll change my name to something that sounds like it's spelled!
I haven't used a pseudonym, but I have used variations on my name for bylines around town. Oddly enough, when I used initials and my last name, JP Ketzenberger, on restaurant reviews, readers thought I was a man, as in, "Tell Mr. Ketzenberger that he's full of #%*&."
Wonder if Star reporter TJ Banes has had the same experience?
I go by Randy Daytona on here. Obviously not my real name, just a character in a movie.
"Joe Shearer" isn't my real name either.
My first name is really Joseph. Shocking, I know.
I've thought about using a pen name for freelance writing, but to be honest I haven't gotten into it enough to seriously consider it, and I'm such a glory hog anyway I probably wouldn't use one if I did have the chance.
I haven't used a pseudonym, but I have used variations on my name for bylines ...
Yes!! The first time I met TJ Banes I was speechless...trying to reconcile my perception that she was a black man with the white woman that sat in front of me!! I don't even want to discuss that Whitney guy!!
I think I have an easy last name. Dillman. But they'll hear Billman. Gillman. Or they'll use one l. Or make the man into men. Drives me crazy! I always say "Dillman, like Dillpickle, Dill, with a man on the end."
Oh, I love my pseudonym.
My friend and I came up with Lila and Lola a couple of years ago when we decided to take a cross-country car adventure and blog about it on Myspace. Our site is long gone, but I've kept all of our words (as well as a long list of pseudonyms our friends took on to correspond with us) in a large folder for future use.
The monikers spoke in their own voices for literary purposes. They also created two characters that were sort of funky outgrowths of our personalities. And they gave us others to blame for trouble. Nice.
On a side note, I can't talk about pseudonyms without sending a cheer into the cosmos for my favorite: Warren Zevon.