Nicolas Cage has been one of the most spotlighted names in the film industry for so long that it’s easy to forget why he changed his acting name from his family name Coppola. Christened Nicolas Kim Coppola at birth, the Face/Off star is renowned for his unconventional approach to method acting and generating blockbuster performances that have snagged him an Oscar. One look at the artistically gifted Coppola family might prompt one to wonder why he would choose to abandon the Coppola name when creative talent clearly seems to run in the genes, but Cage had his reasons.
The Coppola family has long been churning out successful artists in the entertainment industry. Carmine Coppola, the patriarch of the family, is a renowned musician in his own right. But it was his youngest child, Francis Ford Coppola, who almost singlehandedly elevated the family name to megastar status as accomplished director well-known for financing his own films. Francis’s daughter Sofia followed in his footsteps to become one of the best female directors Hollywood has known. Sofia Coppola’s films have starred her cousins Jason and Robert Schwartzman, whose mother, Talia Shire, is an accomplished actress in her own right. Talia played Connie Corleone in her brother’s Godfather trilogy, alongside his son, Roman Coppola, a notable writer, director and producer in the film industry. Even Marc Coppola, Nicolas Cage’s own brother, had a chance in the spotlight for some minor movies roles, though he had more success in the music industry. Unlike Cage, however, Marc opted to keep the family name.
With a background like that, being charged with nepotism was a constant risk. Indeed, the extensive family connections soon became a burden to Cage, especially where it concerned his illustrious uncle, Francis Ford Coppola. He noted how the Coppola name prompted even casting agents to question him about his uncle whenever he auditioned for a role, and how it affected his relationships with fellow actors. While he was determined to make his mark in the film industry, Nic disliked being on the receiving end of unwarranted notoriety and feeling as though he was riding on his family’s coattails. In order to distance himself and establish his acting career as his own, he took on the stage name Nicolas Cage. The choice of his surname was a nod to Marvel character Luke Cage, for the Las Vegas actor has always been a comics and superhero enthusiast.
However, Cage didn’t take on his new name until the early 1980s, by which time he had already begun his acting career. Cage first debuted in 1981 with the pilot episode of a TV show that wasn’t continued, The Best of Times, and snagged a movie role in Fast Times at Ridgemont High in 1982. He was credited for both as Nicolas Coppola, and that was the last time; when his uncle Francis Ford Coppola cast Nic in his 1983 movie Rumble Fish, the actor was already going by his new name. The collaboration proved that the Moonstruck actor’s family held no grudges against Nicolas for his decision, even though it has been believed to be the reason Francis Ford turned down Cage’s plea to be cast in the third Godfather installment. In spite of Nic’s conviction that he was best suited to play Vincent Corleone, his uncle considered his initial choice, Andy Garcia, to be a better fit for the role. Seeing as how Garcia’s performance snagged him an Oscar nomination, Francis clearly made the right choice.
That’s not to say that Nicolas Cage is anything less than a legend in his own right. Now an award-winning actor of critical acclaim with a splendid filmography to boot, Cage definitely succeeded in establishing himself in the industry by his own talent and grit. The bona fide actor (or thespian, as he identifies himself) is still going strong, with Nicolas Cage's next movie set for release being the semi-autobiographical action-comedy The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. Cage will be playing a fictionalized version of himself, alongside co-stars Tiffany Haddish and Pedro Pascal. The film is slated to be released on April 22, 2022.
