DAILY DIRT: Thomas Mapother IV – From Catholicism to Scientology

I have all sorts of new respect for Jackie Chan, as you’ll see shortly … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 633 of The Daily Dirt.

1. It’s no secret that numerous stars of stage, screen and recording — who we think we are familiar with — are actually performing under “stage names.” 

Here’s a handful of those celebrities whose birth certificates are quite different from the names they are referred to in public:

• Katy Perry: actual name Katherine Elizabeth Hudson. She once pursued a career in gospel music. My, how times have changed.
• Tom Cruise: actual name Thomas Cruise Mapother IV. As a youngster, Cruise aspired to become a Catholic priest. Now he is the face of Scientology.
• Jamie Foxx: Eric Marlon Bishop. Many forget he earned an Academy Award for his performance in “Ray.”
• Alice Cooper: Vincent Damon Furnier. The godfather of shock rock.
• Charlie Sheen: actual name Carlos Irwin Estevez. Sheen was paid $2 million per episode of “Two And A Half Men” during the show’s latter years.
• Miley Cyrus: actual name Destiny Hope Cyrus. She is the founder of the Happy Hippie Foundation that “works to fight injustice faced by vulnerable sections of society.”
• Steven Tyler: actual name Steven Tallarico. He recorded his first album in 1983.
• Bruce Lee: actual name Lee Yuen Kam. He died at age 32 in 1972, due to a cerebral edema, but is still considered one of the most influential figures in martial arts and pop culture of the 20th century.
• Nicki Minaj: actual name Onika Tanya Maraj. She has been referred to as the “Black Lady Gaga.”
• Meg Ryan: actual name Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra, She was a one-time member of the cast of the soap opera “As The World Turns.”
• Elton John: actual name Reginald Kenneth Dwight. Sir Elton has sold more than 300 albums.
• Stevie Wonder: actual name Stevland Hardaway Judkins. For those counting, he has 25 Grammy Awards at his house.
• Tia Carrere: actual name Althea Rae Duhinio Janairo. She got her start on the “General Hospital” soap opera.
• Shawn Michaels: Michael Shawn Hickenbottom. Most know him as a member of the WWE Hall of Fame.
• Jackie Chan: actual name Chan Kong-sang. Along with his comedy, acting and martial arts abilities, Chan has earned great respect through his philanthropic efforts. Forbes magazine has ranked him as one of the 10 most charitable celebrities. 
• Axl Rose: actual name William Bruce Rose Jr. It’s hard to believe this guy is now 61 years old.
• Jodie Foster: actual Alicia Christian Foster. She’s 61, too. Wow.
• Raquel Welch: actual name Jo Raquel Tejada. Playboy magazine once listed her No. 3 among the 100 sexiest stars of the 20th century.
• Shania Twain: actual name Eilleen Regina Edwards. Her 1997 album “Come on Over” was the best-selling studio album of all-time by a female singer.
• Woody Allen: actual name Allen Stewart Konigsberg. At the age of 17, he legally changed his name to Heyward “Woody” Allen.
• Bob Dylan: actual name Robert Allen Zimmerman. His songs were the voice of the Civil Rights and anti-war movements of the mid-to-late 1960s.
• Ringo Starr: actual Richard Starkey. One of the two remaining Beatles, along with Sir Paul McCartney.
• Bruno Mars: actual name Peter Gene Hernandez. Another celebrity with a well-known philanthropic spirit.

2. Speaking of celebs, here are some famous names turning 65 in 2023.

• Michelle Pfeiffer: Her first major film was “The Hollywood Knights,” but her breakthrough performance came in “Scarface” when she portrayed Elvira Hancock.
• Ellen DeGeneres: She got her big break on “The Tonight Show” way back when.
• Alec Baldwin: His role as Joshua Rush on seasons six and seven of “Knots Landing” gave his career the jumpstart it needed.
• Sharon Stone: Two words: Basic. Instinct.
• Jamie Lee Curtis: She made her film debut way back in 1978 in the horror classic “Halloween.”
• Madonna: Remember when she was referred to as the “Queen of Pop” back in the 1980s?
• Kevin Bacon: He’s been married to actress Kyra Sedgwick for 35 years.
• Andie MacDowell: My favorite Andie role? Probably her portrayal of Carrie in the 1994 classic “Four Weddings and a Funeral.”
• Ice-T: A well-respected rapper, he will always best be known as Odafin Tutuola on “Law and Order.”
• Drew Carey: Few know that the comedian and longtime game-show host is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.
• Joan Jett: “I Love Rock and Roll” was the No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 from mid-March through early May 1982.
• Holly Hunter: My favorite Holly Hunter role was Grace Hanadarko on the 2007-2010 TV series “Saving Grace.” 

3. An actual sign posted on an elevator on the campus at the University of Alabama: “Do not click buttons with genitalia. Cameras are watching.”

Steve Thought O’ The Day – If I ever visit the University of Alabama, I’m obviously taking the stairs.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Roll Tide.