Actors Who Changed Names Mid-Career—and Got Better Roles

Sometimes a small shift makes a big difference. For many actors, changing a professional name unlocked new opportunities, cleared up confusion in casting offices, or signaled a fresh chapter that aligned with the work they wanted to do. The result was not just a different credit on screen but a noticeable change in the kinds of roles they booked afterward.

Below are twenty performers who adjusted their names after they were already working and then moved into higher profile projects. You will see what they were credited as before, when the change happened, and which roles followed that proved the shift mattered.

Dwayne Johnson

He began taking film roles while still using his ring name The Rock, even appearing on early credits with that moniker. In the late two thousands he phased out the wrestling nickname and standardized his screen credit as Dwayne Johnson.

Soon after that shift he joined the ensemble of ‘Fast Five’ and became a regular presence in action hits including ‘San Andreas’ and the ‘Jumanji’ revival. Family films and comedies such as ‘Moana’ and ‘Central Intelligence’ also arrived once the new credit had settled in.

Dave Bautista

Early film and television appearances sometimes listed him close to his ring identity as Batista, and some projects used David or Dave Batista. As he transitioned fully into acting he aligned on Dave Bautista as the consistent screen credit.

Following that move he broke out as Drax in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and added prestige projects like ‘Blade Runner 2049’ and ‘Dune’. He also took on character driven leads in titles such as ‘Knock at the Cabin’.

Laurence Fishburne

He spent years credited as Larry Fishburne across film and television, including early breakout work. Around the early nineties he began using Laurence Fishburne as his professional credit.

With the new credit he took prominent roles in ‘Boyz n the Hood’ and ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’, followed by global recognition through ‘The Matrix’. Substantial television work continued with ‘Black-ish’ and its related projects.

Mahershala Ali

Early credits sometimes used his full first name Mahershalalhashbaz Ali. By the early twenty tens he shortened the professional name to Mahershala Ali, which became the standard across film and television.

After that change he appeared in ‘House of Cards’ and earned awards attention with ‘Moonlight’ and ‘Green Book’. He also led a season of ‘True Detective’ and joined major franchises including ‘Blade’.

Elliot Page

For years he worked under a former name across film and television. In late 2020 he publicly announced his name as Elliot Page and began using that credit for ongoing and future work.

Credits on ‘The Umbrella Academy’ updated to reflect the name change, and he continued to headline that series. Additional projects and voice roles followed using the Elliot Page credit.

Thandiwe Newton

She spent much of her career credited as Thandie Newton. In 2021 she restored the original spelling Thandiwe and began using it in marketing and credits going forward.

The updated credit appears on later film and television work while earlier roles such as ‘Westworld’ remain widely associated with her. The restoration also guided press and publicity materials to use the correct spelling.

LaKeith Stanfield

His earliest screen work occasionally listed him as Keith Stanfield. As his career advanced he standardized the credit as LaKeith Stanfield, which is now used across film, television, and music.

Under that credit he took standout roles in ‘Atlanta’, ‘Get Out’, and ‘Sorry to Bother You’. He later earned awards recognition for ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ and continued into genre fare like ‘The Book of Clarence’.

Don Lee

In Korea he is widely known as Ma Dong-seok and used that name on domestic projects. For international releases he adopted Don Lee as the professional credit to streamline English language marketing and casting.

Following that shift he entered large scale Hollywood projects including ‘Eternals’. He also continued leading Korean hits such as the follow ups connected to ‘Train to Busan’, with international materials often using Don Lee.

Jurnee Smollett

During her marriage she worked for several years as Jurnee Smollett-Bell and was credited that way on television and film. After ending the marriage she returned to using Jurnee Smollett professionally.

Under the reverted credit she headlined ‘Lovecraft Country’ and joined the DC universe with ‘Birds of Prey’, which led to continued work connected to that role. New film leads and limited series offers also credited her as Jurnee Smollett.

JoAnna Garcia Swisher

She was long credited as JoAnna Garcia across sitcom and drama work. After marrying Nick Swisher in 2010 she adopted JoAnna Garcia Swisher as her professional name.

Using the updated credit she appeared on network series and later fronted the streaming hit ‘Sweet Magnolias’. Press materials, title cards, and promotional art now consistently use the double surname.

J. Smith-Cameron

Early in her career she was sometimes credited as J. Smith. She later incorporated Cameron into her professional name, which also helped resolve guild credit conflicts.

With the updated name she became widely known for ‘Succession’ and continued her long run in theater while credited as J. Smith-Cameron. Film roles alongside that series also used the same styling.

Scott Eastwood

He worked in early credits as Scott Reeves, choosing to avoid trading on family recognition while building experience. Midway through his ascent he switched to Scott Eastwood and began using that name on auditions and releases.

After the change he appeared in ‘Fury’ and joined ensembles in ‘Suicide Squad’ and ‘The Fate of the Furious’. He also led smaller thrillers and dramas with the Eastwood credit on posters and title cards.

David Tennant

He started out under his birth name David McDonald but adopted David Tennant to comply with union rules and avoid a name conflict. The shift happened early in his television years yet after he had professional stage experience.

As David Tennant he took on ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘Broadchurch’, then moved into fantasy and comedy with ‘Good Omens’. He also continued extensive voice work and theater billing under the Tennant name.

Aidan Gillen

Early screen appearances sometimes used his birth surname Murphy. He adopted Aidan Gillen to stand apart within the acting unions and used Gillen consistently from the nineties onward.

Post change credits include ‘Queer as Folk’, ‘The Wire’, and ‘Game of Thrones’. He also appeared in franchise films such as ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ while maintaining the Gillen credit internationally.

Rooney Mara

She has been credited at points with her full first name Patricia Rooney Mara. As she moved into larger projects she standardized on Rooney Mara across interviews, posters, and title sequences.

Under that credit she earned high profile roles in ‘The Social Network’ and ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’. She continued with acclaimed performances in titles like ‘Carol’ and ‘Nightmare Alley’.

Kal Penn

He began with credits under his birth name Kalpen Modi. In the early two thousands he switched to Kal Penn after noticing the impact a simplified name had on casting access and call backs.

Following the change he landed ‘Harold and Kumar’ and later joined ‘House’. He also served in public service and returned to acting with the Kal Penn credit on comedies and dramas.

Portia de Rossi

She changed her name from Amanda Lee Rogers as a young adult and continued to use Portia de Rossi throughout her early career. The fully adopted name later accompanied a shift to high profile television work.

As Portia de Rossi she became a series regular on ‘Ally McBeal’ and then on ‘Arrested Development’. She also appeared on ‘Scandal’ with marketing and credits retaining the de Rossi name.

Yasiin Bey

Known for years in music and acting as Mos Def, he announced the name Yasiin Bey for all projects in the early twenty tens. Film and television credits since then have reflected the updated name.

As Yasiin Bey he continued taking roles including appearances connected to ‘Dexter’ and independent features. Earlier films such as ‘The Italian Job’ and ‘Be Kind Rewind’ remain associated with the prior credit.

Joaquin Phoenix

As a child actor he was credited as Leaf Phoenix. In his teens he returned to his given name Joaquin and carried that name into adult roles.

Under Joaquin Phoenix he moved into major films like ‘Gladiator’ and ‘Walk the Line’. He later headlined ‘Joker’ and continued to alternate between studio releases and independent features.

Zoe Saldaña

Early English language credits sometimes omitted the diacritic in her surname and listed her as Zoe Saldana. Over time publicity and on screen cards shifted to Zoe Saldaña, aligning with the correct spelling.

With that standardized credit she anchored major franchises including ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and the ongoing ‘Avatar’ series. She also led projects such as ‘From Scratch’ in television where the spelling is used across all materials.

Share your picks in the comments and tell everyone which name change you think made the biggest difference.