Celebrities Who Changed Their Names to Hide Their Family Background

Nicolas Coppola, known professionally as Nicolas Cage, changed his name early in his acting career to avoid being seen as someone who only got opportunities because of his family. Being the nephew of famous director Francis Ford Coppola, he wanted to be recognized for his own talent. He chose the name ‘Cage,’ inspired by the Marvel comic book hero Luke Cage, to create a separate identity. This allowed him to establish himself as an actor, starting with his role in ‘Valley Girl,’ and build a career based on his own work, not his family’s reputation.

Beloved ‘The Wire’ Actor Passes Away Leaving a Lasting TV Legacy

The incident happened late at night when Brown went into a barn on his property to try and jump-start a vehicle. Family members said a fire quickly started inside the barn, and Brown immediately called for help and a fire extinguisher. Unfortunately, the fire spread rapidly, and the 5,000-square-foot building was almost completely on fire by the time his family reached him. His wife, Arlene, was seriously burned while bravely trying to rescue him and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Actors Who Refused to Sign Prenups and Lost Everything

Mel Gibson, famous for ‘Braveheart’, married Robyn Moore in 1980, before he became a global star. They didn’t have a prenuptial agreement, so their 2011 divorce resulted in one of the biggest settlements ever seen in Hollywood. Moore received half of Gibson’s estimated $425 million fortune. This substantial financial loss meant Gibson had to be very careful with his remaining money and continue taking on big film projects. Their divorce is often cited as a key example of how marriages that happen early in a career can lead to very large settlements years later.

Celebrities You Didn’t Know Hold Commercial Pilot Licenses

John Travolta is a skilled pilot with certifications to fly many large commercial airplanes. He’s well-known for owning a Boeing 707 and lives on a property designed for aviation, complete with its own runway. He often pilots himself to movie premieres and uses his planes for charity work. Thanks to his thorough training, he’s qualified to fly large, multi-engine jets all over the world.

Actors Who Kept Their Secret Children Hidden From the World

Arnold Schwarzenegger, famous for his role in ‘The Terminator,’ had a son, Joseph Baena, with his family’s housekeeper in the late 1990s. This was kept secret from his wife, Maria Shriver, and the public for over a decade, until 2011. Schwarzenegger later acknowledged Joseph, as the physical resemblance between them became undeniable. The revelation ultimately led to the end of his marriage. Since then, he’s built a close relationship with Joseph, who also enjoys bodybuilding.