Actors names

[malbec]

Did you know that in Britain and the US, no two 'screen' actors have the same name. This is not by chance but by design. In Britain this rule is enforced by Equity and America it's up to the Screen Actors Guild. So if there's already a registered actor that has the same name as you, YOU have to change your name. I wonder if there have ever been any

Comments

[misspotsitt]

This is why David Walliams is David Walliams, rather than his real name of David Williams.

[littlemissk]

Can there be an actor in the UK and an actor in the US with the same name as each other?

[malbec]

I believe so. The enforcing bodies keep to their own turf I believe. So I'm going to become an actor and change my name to Brad Pitt... I just wont be able to get any work in America.

[littlemissk]

then i shall be angelina jolie, and we can go and adopt a poor orphan from ethiopia.

[malbec]

I'm with you all the way up until 'and adopt...' and then my vision goes hazey and I can't seem to read any more... ;-)

[ladyalice]

Likewise if there's already a registered newsreader on Capital Radio... :(

[miss_cho]

I think my friend, the actor Matt Smith has the same name as another actor.

[schmedgar]

Actually, in the US it's also Equity which over sees stage actors since many of them don't belong to SAG.

[malbec]

Really? I sit corrected. :-)

So does this mean that there will never be an English and American actor/ess with the same name?