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Sterling K. Brown Reveals Sentimental Reason Behind Name Change
Award-winning actor Sterling K. Brown, widely recognized for his role as Randall Pearson in the hit series This Is Us, recently shared the personal story behind his name. Born Sterling Kelby Brown, the acclaimed performer disclosed why he primarily used his middle name, Kelby, throughout his childhood and adolescence, before reverting to his first name, Sterling, at the age of 16. This revelation offers fans a deeper understanding of the actor and his connection to his family.
Childhood Preference for Middle Name, Kelby
During a recent appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Sterling K. Brown, an Emmy Award winner, recounted the origins of his childhood nickname. He explained that his name is a family legacy, sharing names with both his father and grandfather.
- “My father’s name is Sterling Brown Jr., and my grandfather was Sterling Brown Sr.,” Brown stated.
- Growing up, he desired a sense of individuality.
- “I wanted my own name,” Sterling K. Brown admitted.
- He associated the name Sterling with an older generation, explaining, “it felt like Sterling was an old man’s name.”
Consequently, young Sterling Kelby Brown chose to go by his middle name, Kelby, throughout his early years.
Reclaiming “Sterling”: A Tribute to His Father
Despite being known as Kelby during his formative years, the Paradise star, husband to Ryan Michelle Bathé and father to sons Andrew and Amaré, experienced a significant change of heart in his teenage years. This shift was profoundly linked to honoring the memory of his father, who had tragically passed away from a heart attack when Sterling K. Brown was just 10 years old.
As he matured, Sterling K. Brown felt a renewed connection to his given first name, “Sterling.”
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Explaining his decision, Sterling K. Brown shared:
“Because [my father] passed away when I was 10, by the time I turned 16 and I hadn’t heard his name for five, five-and-a-half years,” he continued. “I was like, ‘I kinda just want to hear that name again.’ So I asked people to call me Sterling.”
This heartfelt decision to embrace his first name served as a meaningful way for Sterling K. Brown to keep his father’s memory alive.
Lasting Legacy and Father’s Impact
The choice of name is not the only way Sterling K. Brown honors his father’s memory. The actor has openly discussed the profound and lasting impact of his father’s death on his life. He frequently shares cherished memories, both joyous and poignant, highlighting the enduring influence of his father.