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Some individuals who are related to a celebrity take a different last name so that they are not perceived to have received undue advantage from their family connection.

Examples of these include Joan Fontaine ( real name Joan de Havilland ), sister to Olivia de Havilland, Luka Bloom ( real name Kevin Barry Moore ), brother of Christy Moore ; and Mike McGear ( brother of Paul McCartney ).

Sisters Loretta, Peggy, and Brenda Webb adopted the names Loretta Lynn, Peggy Sue, and Crystal Gayle, respectively.

Actor Nicolas Cage, born Nicolas Coppola, chose a new last name to avoid comparisons to his uncle, director Francis Ford Coppola, who gave him his big break in the movie Peggy Sue Got Married.

Conversely, individuals who wish to receive benefit from their family connections may take that person's first or last name.

For example, Lon Chaney Sr .’ s son Creighton spent a number of years appearing in minor roles before renaming himself Lon Chaney Jr. Actress Rebecca Isabelle Laemmle rechristened herself Carla Laemmle in reference to her uncle, Universal Studios head Carl Laemmle.

Emilio Estévez and his sister Renee chose not to take their father Martin Sheen ’ s professional name and use their birth names ; however, their brother Carlos chose to use their father's professional name, and took the name Charlie Sheen.