Does the SAG really require unique names?!
Question: I've been at imdb.com for over an hour and I've come across a lot of actors with similar names. I heard that some actors change their names because someone has a similar name. Is it just a myth that the SAG says you can't have a similar name, otherwise how would these names make it on imdb.com. Can't you just use a stage name if someone has a similar name?
Answers: I've been at imdb.com for over an hour and I've come across a lot of actors with similar names. I heard that some actors change their names because someone has a similar name. Is it just a myth that the SAG says you can't have a similar name, otherwise how would these names make it on imdb.com. Can't you just use a stage name if someone has a similar name?
It isn't a myth. SAG doesn't allow identical names. So if you are guild-eligible and you join, and someone else is already using the same first and last name that you have, you have to choose something different, such as registering with your middle initial or middle name in your 'official' name...or changing your name entirely, or using your mom's maiden name in place of your usual surname, etc.
You can just use a stage name. Many times actors do it because if they're successful, they don't want to be confused or associated with someone of a similar name whose career sucks. But I've not seen or heard anything about SAG requiring unique names. However, I could be wrong...
A lot of the duplicate names at IMDb are crewpersons with the same name as an actor. Maybe in the case of duplicate actor names, one is deceased.