SUMMER UNDER THE STARS 2021

BETTE DAVIS

Real Name or Stage Name?: Kinda. She was born Ruth Elizabeth Davis and was nicknamed “Betty” and Davis changed her name to the French version of “Betty” from a novel called Cousin Bette.

RICHARD BURTON*

Real Name or Stage Name?: Another kinda. While Richard was his real first name, his surname was actually Jenkins. Burton took the last name of his principal Phillip Burton who helped the young Richard discover a love of acting and literature and kept him away from a life working in the coal mines.

KIM NOVAK

Real Name of Stage Name?: Novak’s first name was Marilyn, but she refused to change her surname. Her boss at Columbia, Harry Cohn wanted to change Novak’s name to Kit Marlowe.

LOUIS ARMSTRONG*

Real Name or Stage Name?: One hundred percent real.

MARGARET RUTHERFORD*

Real Name or Stage Name?: REAL

ROBERT MITCHUM

Real Name or Stage Name?: Robert Mitchum, who would be crazy to change that name?!

ABBOTT & COSTELLO*

Real Name or Stage Name?: Surprisingly, Costello’s real surname was Cristillo. I was pretty sure “Bud” was a nickname and it was. Abbott’s full name was William Alexander Abbott.

ESTHER WILLIAMS

In your dreams and probably not then, Grandpa Simpson

Real Name or Stage Name?: REAL

KAY FRANCIS

Real Name or Stage Name?: Stage. Real name Katherine Edwina Gibbs.

GEORGE SEGAL*

Real Name or Stage Name?: REAL

KATHRYN GRAYSON

Real Name or Stage Name?: Stage. Real name was Zelda Kathryn Elisabeth Hedrick.

RAMON NOVARRO*

Did George Clooney travel back in time?!!

Real Name or Stage Name?: Stage. Real name was José Ramón Gil Samaniego.

JANE FONDA

Real Name or Stage Name?: Well, Jane was born LADY JAYNE Seymour Fonda Yeah, she couldn’t believe it either.

GREGORY PECK

A rare pic of Greg Peck with his eyes wide open

Real Name or Stage Name?: Real, although his first name was ELDRED. According to Peck, his mom got it from the phone book. There’s a lesson to be learned here-don’t pick your kid’s name from a phone book.

JUDY GARLAND