Aimee Walker
Jack Black fans are only just finding out that Jack Black isn’t his original name.
Black, 53, is an American actor who has appeared in films such as School of Rock, Shallow Hal, and King Kong.
But the star isn’t just known for his acting talents, as he also fronts the comedy rock band Tenacious D.
The duo – which includes Kyle Glass – are renowned for their hilarious lyrics and unbelievable solos.
Watch Jack Black sing to a terminally ill young fan in the clip below…
And while most fans know these facts about Black, not quite as many know that Jack Black isn’t his original name.
The Holiday star was born in the summer of ’69 to satellite engineers Thomas William Black and Judith Love Cohen.
The pair named their son Thomas Jacob Black.
At some point, the actor developed the nickname ‘Jack’ – which is a shortened version of Jacob, his middle name.
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He then became known as Jack Black – and let’s face it, it’s got more of a ring to it.
But Black isn’t the only celebrity to have changed his name when pursuing a career in Hollywood.
Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx, 55, was born Eric Marlon Bishop, however, he changed his name to be more gender ambiguous.
As reported by Yahoo!, Django Unchained star chose a more feminine-sounding name during his stand-up days, as female comedians were often called to the stage first.
He apparently chose ‘Foxx’ in honour of Sanford and Son star Redd Foxx.
While Sister Act star Whoopi Goldberg, 67, was born Caryn Elaine Johnson.
In an interview with The New York Times, Goldberg revealed that the inspiration behind her name is actually a whoopee cushion.
She told the publication: “If you get a little gassy, you’ve got to let it go. So people used to say to me, ‘You’re like a whoopee cushion’. And that’s where the name came from.”
Goldberg is the star’s mother’s maiden name, and she chose to use it in the hopes of being taken more seriously.
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In a chat with The Jewish Chronicle, she said: “My mother did not name me Whoopi, but Goldberg is my name, it’s part of my family, part of my heritage. Just like being Black.”
And singer John Legend was born Born John Roger Stephen.
Chatting to MTV, the ‘All of Me’ singer revealed that his stage name comes from a childhood nickname that stuck.
“John Legend is a nickname that some friends started calling me, and it kind of grew into my stage name,” he said (via People magazine).
“It grew to the point where more people in my circle would know me by that name than by my real name.”
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