20 celebs whose real names you don't know (+Photos)

Celebs whose real names you don't know - Famous individuals are just like anybody else. When they hit the big time, it is not unlikely that they hire a plethora of professionals to take care of their public relations. More..

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18. Whoopi Goldberg – Caryn Elaine Johnson One may know Whoopi Goldberg for many reasons. In the 90s, she was once credited as the highest paid actress. She was only the second black woman to win an Academy Award for acting. She is one of only three females to win Best Comedy Album at the Grammys. And, of course, she starred in films like The Color Purple, Ghost, Sister Act , and The Lion King . The View moderator is also one of few to claim EGOT; winning an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony. Yet she was not born with the beloved name. The entertainer’s birth name is Caryn Elaine Johnson. Whoopi is a mixture of whoopee cushion and an alternative family name she thought would have her taken more seriously in the business. 17. Robert Gant – Robert John Gonzalez The Tampa, Florida-born actor has been most famously known for his one-episode stint on Friends playing Phoebe Buffay’s sexy teacher-boyfriend, and as professor Ben Bruckner in Showtime’s US version of Queer As Folk. The brainy performer has been in the business for a long time. Before majoring in English at the University of Pennsylvania, and studying law at Georgetown University, he shared the stage with Bob Hope as part of his USO Tour, and became a member of the Screen Actors Guild at the age of ten. His name change interestingly hides his Spanish and Cuban background; he was born as Robert John Gonzalez. Many reports have stated that the change of name is traced back to the forty-seven year-old wanting to get more parts, and Gonzalez holding him back from plentiful opportunities through the audition process. 16. Katy Perry – Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson Katy Perry has become the epitome of pop music. Although Britney Spears, Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, and contemporaries like Rihanna and Lady Gaga have likely sold more albums and broken more records, Katy Perry has sailed rather smoothly ever since her “I Kissed a Girl” debut in 2008. Her image is still pristine in comparison, as she has only been discussed for dating John Mayer, marrying Russell Brand, and having silly feuds with other performers. The popstar, born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, broke a record this decade being the only female on the Billboard charts to release five number-one singles off one album, with Michael Jackson being the only artist to do the same. SEE ALSO: 11 Notorious celebrity sex addicts you didn't know (With Pictures) The reason for the name change is none other than Goldie Hawn‘s daughter, Kate Hudson, who already was a big star when the singer debuted. Hollywood isn’t big enough for two Kate Hudsons. 15. Portia De Rossi – Amanda Lee Rogers If one is a fan of Arrested Development or Ally McBeal , one knows of Portia De Rossi. Perhaps the global love and affection for Ellen is so strong, it permeates to her wife. Most probably think the Australian actress’ background is Italian, but that is an incorrect assumption. Portia, who has publicly discussed her anorexia when she was a teenager and young adult, was born Amanda Lee Rogers, a departure from the sophisticated stage name. When she was fifteen, she legally changed her name, taking inspiration from The Merchant of Venice , the Shakespearean play, and the Italian surname because it would make her appear exotic. She cites her fears of being outed as a lesbian being the main struggle with her identity. 14. Woody Allen – Allan Stewart Konigsberg The Bronx native and controversial filmmaker is known for his cinematic achievements, which include Annie Hall , Manhattan , Match Point and Vicky Cristina Barcelona . It may also be the case that he is recognized for his relationships with Diane Keaton, Mia Farrowand his current wife Soon-Yi Previn, the latter creating a whirlwind of controversy due to Soon-Yi being Mia Farrow’s adoptive daughter when Farrow was dating Allen. Yet the man behind the large glasses was born Allan Stewart Konigsberg. At seventeen, the joke writer changed his name to Heywood Allen, eventually becoming Woody. 13. Carmen Electra – Tara Leigh Patrick The Baywatch actress is known for her Playboy spread, her MTV programming, and being an original dance member of the Pussycat Dolls, before their successful years with lead performer Nicole Sherzinger. She has been married twice to big celebrities. In the nineties, she married basketball player Dennis Rodman, and then rockstar Dave Navarro. Carmen Electra was born in Sharonville, Ohio, under the name Tara Leigh Patrick. Back in 1991, she signed a record contract with non other than Prince. Even though a musical career did not make her a star, his suggestion made an impact. Allegedly, he told her that she looked more like a Carmen. SEE ALSO: 14 secrets the Obamas' don't want you to know (With Pictures)

12. Ralph Lauren – Ralph Lifshitz According to Forbes Magazine, Ralph Lauren is the 155th richest person in the world. His net worth is estimated to be over 8 billion dollars. The Bronx, New York designer began his career in the sixties. He trademarked Polo, and received the rights from the Brooks Brothers, yet they retained the rights to the original polo button down collar. In the early seventies, as his brand grew, Ralph opened a Polo store on Rodeo Drive, in California. Ralph Lifshitz, as he was born, and his brother Jerry changed their names during their teens because they felt unnecessarily teased growing up. 11. Bruno Mars – Peter Gene Hernandez Born in Honolulu, Hawaii as Peter Gene Hernandez, Bruno Mars has amassed six number-one singles on the Hot 100, and twelve top-ten entries in just five years. Internationally, he has sold twelve million albums, and over one hundred million singles. The Bruno part of his name comes from a nickname his father used to call him, and the Mars part because he felt he did not have enough hutzpah and was always told he was out of this world (since his head always seemed to be in another planet). 10. Jason Derulo – Jason Joel Desrouleaux Born in 1989, in Miami, Florida, Jason Derulo has amassed six different number-one singles around the world. He has released five different albums, and has enjoyed a lot of success on the UK charts. His background as a young lyricist put him behind the scenes for artists like P. Diddy, Sean Kingston, Lil Wayne, Danity Kane and Cassie. His 2009 debut single “Whatcha Say” samples Imogen Heap’s song “Hide and Seek”, which was released four years prior. SEE ALSO: 12 Rich celebs who don't help their poor siblings (With Pictures)

The artist was born with the name of Jason Joel Desorouleaux, but the stage name is an easier alteration to show the correct pronunciation. 9. Lana Del Rey – Elizabeth Woolridge Grant This songstress has been making a name for herself in the past three years. She has released three albums, with her fourth, Honeymoon , releasing this month. But before her fame, she was born and known as Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, or Lizzie Grant. Before the success of “Summertime Sadness”, “Video Games” or “Young and Beautiful”, she released an album in 2010, under Lizzie, titled Lana Del Ray, aka, Lizzie Grant . The album was pulled from retailers since the label could not fund it, and she purchased the rights off them. Her response to the name change? Lana says it never felt like it belonged to her and when she decided to change it, she did not fight the creative urge. 8. CeeLo Green – Thomas DeCarlo Callaway Before his days sitting on The Voice chair with his ever-changing co-mentors, CeeLo Green was mostly known for his involvement in the project known as Gnarls Barkley. Their debut album, St. Elsewhere , hit the top spot in the UK and sold over 1.6 million copies in the United States alone. The single “Crazy” has over five million downloads worldwide. Fast-forward years later and his song “F*** You”, co-written by Bruno Mars, became a smash, topping over six million downloads in the US alone, and breaking taboos when using blatant profanities in a pop tune’s title. The Atlanta performer was born Thomas DeCarlo Callaway. He told VH1 that CeeLo is an abbreviation of Carlo. 7. Miley Cyrus – Destiny Hope Cyrus Miley Cyrus, who recently hosted the MTV Video Music Awards in August, was born in Tennessee in 1992. By the end of the show she announced the online release of her fifth studio album, titled Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz . This free album is under her label, Smiley Miley Inc. As Hannah Montana, a Disney television and movie character, she has enjoyed much success and, in accumulation to her recent solo releases, is one of the best-selling artists of the past decade. Her parents named her Destiny Hope Cyrus with the hopes that it would allow her to achieve much, and change the world for the better. Over time, she grew up with the nickname Smiley, due to her happy disposition. That later became Miley. SEE ALSO: The 15 hottest MTV MVA looks of all time - #1 is a must see! (With Pictures) 6. Alicia Keys – Alicia Augello Cook After enrolling in the Professional Performing Arts School, Alicia Keys graduated at age sixteen. The valedictorian signed to Columbia Records not long after that, choosing to drop out of Columbia University, were she was accepted. Her part-Italian mother helped her choose a professional name. Alicia Augello Cook used a dictionary to pick a new identity. After settling on Alicia Wild, her mother advised that it did not sound seemly, so she then agreed on using Keys, due to her piano playing. 5. Cher – Cherilyn Sarkisian In the entertainment business, there are only a few artists who have managed to make it on a one-name basis: Madonna, Prince, and others whose last names fell off after their success, such as Mariah,Janet, Michael, and Whitney. But there is none other than Cher, who not only conquered the music world, but television and film as well. She is the only artist to date to have a number-one single on a Billboard chart of each of the past six decades. She is the recipient of an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, amongst other awards. She is said to be worth around $320 million. When she moved to Los Angeles at sixteen, she eventually met Sonny Bono, who at the time hired her as his housekeeper. He introduced her to label executives, and Cherilyn Sarkisian began as a backing vocalist, due to her stage fright. Over time, the duo became romantically involved, and once they began to perform together, they used the monikers Sonny and Cher. 4. Michael Keaton – Michael Douglas Last year’s successful film Birdman, Or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance put Michael Keatonback on the map. The film made five time its budget and was nominated for a plethora of awards. During his career, which spawns five decades, he has been part of films like Beetlejuice , Batman , Jackie Brown , Cars , Toy Story 3 , and Minions. Michael was born with the last name Douglas. When he began acting on television shows like Maude and The Mary Tyler Moore Hour , he decided to switch the name to not be confused by the actor of the same name, and to satisfy the rules by the Screen Actors Guild. Keaton was inspired by his affinity to Buster Keaton. SEE ALSO: 10 Reasons why guys are obsessed with big butt

3. Vin Diesel – Mark Sinclair Born in California, Vin Diesel‘s mother was a psychologist and astrologist, whilst his father was a theater teacher. His birth name is Mark Sinclair. When he was seventeen, he became a bouncer in New York, where he decided Vin Diesel would be a more menacing name, allowing him some anonymity. In 1994, at the age of twenty-seven, he wrote, directed and produced his first film, Multi Facial . The film made it into the Cannes Film Festival in 1995. It is said that this, and his follow-up Strays , is what impressed Steven Spielberg enough to write a role into Saving Private Ryan for the actor, giving him his first major role. 2. Tiger Woods – Eldrick Tont Woods Tiger Woods has been one of the highest-payed athletes in the world for years. He is in Forbes’ top ten list in 2015, with $50 million in earnings, most of which came from endorsements. His ethnic making is so peculiar he has called himself Cablinasian. His mother is Thai, Chinese and Dutch, whilst his father was black and white, with Native American ancestry. SEE ALSO: 11 celebrity sex addicts you din't know (With Pictures)

Born Eldrick Tont Woods, the famous golfer got his nickname from his father. Earl Woods was an Army officer in Vietnam whose best friend’s nickname was Tiger. When his son was born, he passed the nickname to his only child with Kultida Woods. 1. Oprah Winfrey – Orpah Gail Winfrey Oprah Winfrey is one of the most well-known and cited celebrities in the world. Her television, radio and print empire have helped her become a billionaire. From her humble beginnings in Mississippi during the 50s, Oprah reached stardom in the 80s and became a television staple. The Oprah Winfrey Show lasted for twenty-five seasons, from 1986, until its last episode in 2011. The beloved star, whose last film role was in Lee Daniels’ The Butler , was born Orpah Gail Winfrey. After many had issues pronouncing it, she switched the “r” and the “p”, and the rest is herstory. TheRichest CLICK HERE to join our BBM Channel for faster updates TOP POSTS YESTERDAY 11 ways to know you are dating a man not a boy – Every young lady should know this! The list of top 10 poorest states in Nigeria – See which tops the list! 10 one hit wonders who made enough to retire (With Pics) I found an iPhone on the ground and what I found in its photo gallery terrified me.. See what Nadia Buari said abiut Jim Iyke and her twin babies Remember the 90 yr old woman who donated her life savings to Buhari campaign? See what was done to her.. Wow! Breaking: DSS releases names of President Buhari’s ministers who passed the anti corruption test (See List) 13 Nigerian musicians who own several luxurious cars – See who’s got the best! (With Pics) 14 secrets the Obamas’ don’t want you to know (With Pictures) The Kardashian and Jenner clan step out in style for dinner (See Photos) 15 things men like in women more than good looks. Top 10 richest African footballers for 2015 – See who is number 1 (+Photos)