Nicolas Cage, the generational actor who reshaped Hollywood, now officially bears the name Nicolas Cage. The 62-year-old actor, formerly known as Nicolas Kim Coppola, legally changed his government name to his iconic stage name last year. In a recent interview, Cage explained his motivation: to become the patriarch of his own family line rather than remain the 'clown cousin' of the renowned Coppola family.
Nicolas Cage Reveals His Official Name
When asked about the inspiration behind choosing 'Cage' as his surname—whether influenced by the superhero Luke Cage—the actor clarified his reasoning. 'I changed my name legally last year. I'm Nick Cage in life, and I'm Nick Cage on camera,' he stated. He added poetically, ''Tis better to be the patriarch of my own little family than the clown cousin on the margins of someone else's, so I decided I'm going to bring it on and be 'Cage.''
Nicolas Cage Recalls His Thoughts on Changing His Name
The surname Cage originated from his childhood love of comics, which made him think it was a cool name. Growing up in an artistic, avant-garde family, he frequently discussed compositions by John Cage. Wanting a short name like James Dean, he retained his first name, Nicolas. His father gave him the French spelling, which has always frustrated him because people add an 'h'. He remarked, 'I don't know why he gave me the French spelling! But he did.'
About Nicolas Cage
In his professional life, Cage stars as Ben Reilly, a private investigator in Depression-era New York City during the 1930s, in the series 'Spider-Noir.' Released on May 27, 2026, exclusively on Prime Video, the show offers a unique twist: viewers can choose to watch in authentic black-and-white mode or full color.
