If an actor changes their name due to Equity rules

[DuckyMcDuck]

That two actors can't have the same name, do they also change it irl?

Just wondering if their children have their original surname or the acting one?

Just Tuesday night musing!

They only change their professional name, they still use their actual name irl. Although I don’t know if that’s the case for someone as famous as say, Elton John?!

No, it's just your "professional" name, not your legal name. Mine is slightly different to my RL name, as are many actors.

For example, I know an actress called Emma Watson who uses a different surname professionally to differentiate herself from the famous one!

Just wondering if their children have their original surname or the acting one?

I'm sure this is very much down to the individual to decide which surname they register their child with.

the female actors I know use their maiden name as stage names or their grandmother's names.

My DS did both - changed his equity name (because someone else had the same name) but also changed it in real life because it made life easier. You can do either.

Any children he has will have either his new name, his wife's name or a combination of both.

I also know several actors who have changed their name for equity and use it in real life too.

Either.

Nicolas Cage’s children have the surname Cage, whereas Michael Keaton’s son has the surname Douglas