Joey Lawrence Reveals Real Last Name, Regrets Changing It

During a panel at '90s Con on March 28, Joey Lawrence (born Joseph Lawrence Mignogna), along with his brothers Matthew William Mignogna and Andrew James Mignogna, shared the long-held secret behind their famous surname. Joey explained that when he began his career in the early 1980s, starting with commercials and his role on "Gimme a Break!", the advice was that 'Mignogna' would be a barrier due to pronunciation difficulties. 'In the early '80s, it was like, 'No one can pronounce Mignogna. That's not a name people will say,'' Joey recalled. As a result, he started using his middle name, Lawrence.

When Matthew (known for "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Boy Meets World") and Andrew (known for voicing T.J. Detweiler in "Recess") followed Joey into acting, it seemed natural for them to adopt the same stage name. Matthew noted an initial benefit: privacy. Before the internet age, having a different public name made it harder for people to find them outside of their work.

However, decades later, the brothers face challenges. Andrew called having two names 'a pain in the butt,' requiring proof of identity for both names. Matthew elaborated on significant issues, stating, 'Now I'm just stuck with two different names, and I can't travel internationally... the government only recognized me as Matt Lawrence because I paid taxes from the time I was a toddler to 18 as Matt Lawrence... when I grew up and used my real name on my passport, there was absolutely no correlation. I didn't exist.'

Despite the name confusion, the Mignogna brothers continue to work together, notably on their "Brotherly Love Podcast," launched in 2023, revisiting the bond showcased in their 90s sitcom of the same name.

What is Joey Lawrence's real last name?

His real last name is Mignogna.

Why did Joey Lawrence and his brothers change their name?

They adopted 'Lawrence' (Joey's middle name) as a stage name in the 1980s because their real name, Mignogna, was considered difficult to pronounce for audiences at the time.

Do the Lawrence brothers regret changing their name?

Yes, they expressed regret during a recent panel, citing practical difficulties with identity verification, taxes, and international travel.

What do you think about actors changing their names for Hollywood? Does it still happen as much today? Let us know!

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