Many people might not realize that Nicolas Cage belongs to one of Hollywood’s illustrious dynasties. However, Cage has been determined to forge his own path, and now he’s made it official.
The 62-year-old Academy Award winner was born Nicolas Kim Coppola, part of the renowned Italian-American Coppola family. Yet, he’s expressed a desire to be the head of his own family rather than just the “clown cousin” among a group of celebrated filmmakers and performers.
The actor, who recently disclosed turning down two major blockbuster roles, went as far as legally changing his name last year to assert his individuality.
In a conversation with Variety, Cage shared, “I am Nick Cage. I changed my name legally last year.” He continued, “I’m Nick Cage in life, and I’m Nick Cage on camera. It’s 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.'”
The choice of surname is particularly significant for Cage. He drew inspiration from the Marvel Comics character Luke Cage, a nod to the avant-garde artist John Cage, and a preference for something “short and sweet” akin to James Dean.
He also revealed that he took his last name from Marvel Comics character Luke Cage as his family also talked about avant-garde artist John Cage. He also said he wanted something ‘short and sweet’ like James Dean.
Nicolas Cage (seen in New York weeks ago) was born Nicolas Kim Coppola from the iconic Italian-American Coppola family but said he would rather be the patriarch of his own family instead of the ‘clown cousin’ of famous filmmakers and performing artists
Cage said: ‘I thought, well, I’ll keep the name “Nicolas” because my father named me Nicolas — with French spelling, which has always frustrated me, because everyone adds an “h.”
‘I don’t know why he gave me the French spelling! But he did.’
Whether he prefers ‘Nick’ or ‘Nicolas,’ the actor told Variety: ‘I’m both! I think people know me as both.’
Cage is the son of late American academic and author August Coppola who is the older brother to iconic filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola and actress Talia Shire.
This also makes Cage cousins with Francis’s Oscar-winning filmmaker daughter Sofia Coppola and Shire’s actor son Jason Schwartzman.
August, Francis, and Talia’s parents were composer Carmine Coppola, who scored many of Francis’s films, and Italia Coppola.
Collectively the family has earned eight Oscars, ten Golden Globes, two BAFTA Awards, one Grammy Award, and two Palme d’Or from The Cannes Film Festival.
Cage has been credited as Nicolas Cage his entire career except a 1981 TV pilot and the 1982 classic comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
Cage is the son of late American academic and author August Coppola and dancer mother Joy Vogelsang (they are seen together in Hollywood back in July 1998)
August was the older brother to iconic filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola (pictured with Cage in March 2003) and actress Talia Shire.
This also makes Cage cousins with Francis’s Oscar-winning filmmaker daughter Sofia Coppola (pictured with Cage and Francis in January 2004) and Shire’s actor son Jason Schwartzman
Meanwhile, in the same Variety interview, the star revealed two major movie roles he turned down in the past as he opened up about almost starring in an iconic superhero film and a cult classic comedy.
Cage said he nearly played supervillain Green Goblin in the 2002 Spider-Man movie starring Tobey Maguire.
But he ultimately backed out of the role, which eventually went to Willem Dafoe, due to creative differences.
Cage then shared that he almost starred in the 1994 comedy Dumb and Dumber with Jim Carrey.
Despite both films going on to become blockbusters, Cage said that he does not regret the decisions he made.
Regarding Spider-Man, Cage recalled once having a conversation with director Sam Raimi where he pitched an idea that was shut down.
‘Sam and I had a great lunch, and I did say during the lunch, “Listen, whoever plays Spider-Man, let them do one scene where they’re crawling around like a spider when they’re alone,’ and it didn’t happen,’ he shared with the outlet.
Cage also revealed that he nearly played the supervillain in the 2002 Spider-Man movie starring Tobey Maguire
The part ultimately was played by Willem Dafoe; seen in 2019
Cage also said he was going to play what ended up being Jim Carrey’s part in the 1994 comedy film, Dumb and Dumber, opposite Jeff Daniels
‘He wanted me to do the Green Goblin. I liked the idea of Sam Raimi, because of Evil Dead 1 and 2, and I wanted to work with him, but I had this other film called Adaptation.’
Cage also revealed how he turned down the part of Lloyd Christmas in Dumb and Dumber.
‘It happened with Jim and Dumb and Dumber, and I said, “I’m going to do this other film called Leaving Las Vegas,”‘ he recalled.
‘And with Sam, I told him, “I’m going to do Adaptation.” Both those decisions were the right ones for me, and I’m happy with those results.’
Join the discussion
Should celebrities break away from their famous family names to forge their own identity, or does heritage matter more in Hollywood?
