Real Name Wednesdays

Ray Milland's real name is...

... Alfred Jones

I used to strongly dislike Ray Milland, but after seeing a number of his films, I think my problem is more that I often dislike the characters he plays, and since I'm usually supposed to dislike those characters, I guess I actually like him as an actor? I don't know. He's a good villain (especially in Dial M for Murder) and a good actor, but I still sometimes can't help but find him extremely off-putting in romantic roles.

Real Name Wednesdays

Jean Arthur's real name is...

... Gladys Greene

Legend has it that she chose her stage name because two of her favorite historical figures were Joan of Arc (Jeanne de'Arc) and King Arthur. 

Real Name Wednesdays

Cary Grant's real name is...

... Archibald 'Archie' Leach

This is one of the more famous examples of an actor's real name, mostly because "Archibald Leach" seems so at odds with Cary Grant's persona, but also because the name pops up in some of Grant's films as an inside joke. (He allegedly chose the name Cary Grant because the initials "C" and "G" were already popular due to actors Clark Gable and Gary Cooper.) I personally like the nickname Archie, but Leach doesn't have a very cinematic ring, does it?

Real Name Wednesdays

Lauren Bacall's real name is...

... Betty Perske