Daily Dirt: Geez, I always thought Vin Diesel was his real name

Who knew that Lady Gaga was not her real name? Find out what her real name is — and much more — during today’s three thoughts in Vol. 109 of the Daily Dirt.

1. Just in case you didn’t realize, the names we know most of our favorite celebrities by are not their actual monikers. For whatever reason, most have adopted stage names to better promote their personality or talent, or for a reason as simple as anonymity when they are away from their craft. Here are a handful of famous people you many not have known have an entirely different name on their birth certificate:

• Lady Gaga: Stefani Joanne Germanotta.
• Pink: Alecia Moore.
• Vin Diesel: Mark Sinclair.
• Stevie Wonder: Steveland Judkins.
• Bono: Paul David Hewson.
• Shania Twain: Eilleen Regina Edwards.
• Snoop Dogg: Calvin Broadus, Jr.
• Tom Cruise: Thomas Mapother IV
• Pitbull: Armando Christian Perez
• Michael Caine: Maurice Micklewhite.
• Jamie Foxx: Erich Marland Bishop.
• Beyonce: Beyonce Giselle Knowles.
• Cardi B: Belcalis Marlenis Almanza.
• Gene Simmons: Chaim Witz.
• Ludacris: Christian Brian Bridges.
• Katy Perry: Katheryn Hudson.
• Whoopi Goldberg: Caryn Elaine Johnson
• Queen Latifah: Dana Owens.
• Elton John: Reginald Dwight
• Nicki Minaj: Onika Tanya Maraj.
• Elvis Costello: Declan Patrick McManus.
• Nelly: Cornell Ira Haynes Jr.
• Madonna: Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone.
• 50 Cent: Curtis James Jackson III.
• Carmen Electra: Tara Patrick.
• Iggy Azalea: Amethyst Amelia Kelly.
• Bruno Mars: Peter Gene Hernandez.
• Billie Eilish: Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell
• Martin Sheen: Ramon Gerard Estevez
• Meg Ryan: Margaret Hyra.
• Ringo  Starr: Richard Starkey.

2. More from the crazy world of Geoff, who if you were with us yesterday, know I featured a taste of my son’s wit and wisdom. Today, he gives us give reasons to walk instead of run:

• 1. Less chance of a momentum-fueled stumble that could see you tumble and end up buried under a pile of random stones.
• 2. You can eat while you walk.
• 3. Easier to check out babes. (Obviously, Geoff is single.)
• 4. While walking, it is easier to hear potential sneak attacks.
• 5. Less sweat.

3. This week’s selected birthdays to celebrate:

Nick Saban: The Alabama football coach turns 70 on Sunday.

Edge: The pro wrestler will be 47 on Saturday.

Andrea Mitchell: The NBC News reporter will be 75 on Saturday. She’s been a network regular for 54 years.

And in the gone but never forgotten category:

John Gotti: The (in)famous crime boss was born Oct. 27, 1940 and died at age 61 in 2002.

Christopher Columbus: The famous explorer would be 570 years old on Sunday — if he were alive.

Teddy Roosevelt: The 26th president of the United States was born Oct. 27, 1858 and died at age 60 in 1919.

Steve Fact O’ The Day
Steve also likes to eat while he is walking.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. His real name is Steve Eighinger.