Some stars came much easier - to reduce its difficult to pronounce names. Thus, for example, decided to make aspiring actor and dancer Frederick Austerlitz, later had won worldwide fame under the name of Fred Astaire.
Other celebrities took their stage names in honor of near and dear to people themselves. Belgian athlete Jean-Claude Van Wahrenberg starting her acting career, he decided to become famous under the name of his dead friend - Van Damme. And Jocelyn Mercier early in his career took a new name Michelle in honor of his early deceased sister.
The basis can be a nickname and nickname. Famous American comedienne 80-90s born Caryn Johnson was replaced in the credits of the film with his participation in the name Whoopi - so her nickname as a child. A surname Goldberg previously wore her mother.
Russian star is also not alien to the traditions of the stage name. Especially known in this regard was Amalia Mordvinova later Gol'danskii not just change the name in the passport, and on stage. Eventually, she settled on the name Amalia & Amalia, which should emphasize its individuality and independence.
Some Soviet actors were forced to change their name because of ethnicity. For example, did so Semen Faraday, replacing its traditional name for the Russian Jews Ferdman a more neutral in terms of origin. Similarly, the previously entered and Zinovy Gerdt, before the war known as Zalman Afroimovich Hrapinovich.