Kat Dennings, known for her roles as Max Black in "2 Broke Girls" and Darcy Lewis in the Marvel universe, has revealed the fascinating origins of her stage name during her appearance on the podcast "Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce," aired on March 13, 2025. Born Katherine Victoria Litwack, Dennings created her professional persona at the tender age of nine — showing precocious insight even then.
"This isn’t going to work for me. This is not going to work," Dennings said, reflecting on her birth name. Even at such a young age, she sensed it might not be the most marketable for a career in acting. "It was a CEO situation. I was like, ‘This can’t be displayed on a poster,’" she added, showcasing her early ambition and foresight.
The inspiration behind her last name, Dennings, can be traced back to her family's connections. Dennings recounted, "Randomly, he was my mother’s best friend... and I thought it would be a super sick idea if I took her name and made it different." This friend was none other than Lloyd Alexander, the celebrated author of the beloved children's fantasy series "The Chronicles of Prydain." Dennings spent her childhood visiting Alexander’s home, which she described as being like her second grandparents.
During these formative years, she formed close bonds with Lloyd and his wife, Janine Denni. Dennings shared her fond recollections of the time spent there: "So I went there every week until I was 15 years old, and they were like my grandparents, he and his wife." Taking inspiration from Janine’s name, she creatively adapted it to craft her stage name, "Dennings."
Kat also revealed how her first name came to be: "Christina Ricci’s character Kat in the movie 'Casper' was my favorite character at the time," she said. This influence affirmed her decision every step of the way, making the name Kat Dennings resonate deeply with her sense of self. "So I was like, ‘OK, Kat Dennings. This is it, I can really picture it’... It’s insane," she expressed, reflecting on how those early decisions shape her artistic identity today.
Kat Dennings has spoken previously about her desire not to use her family name professionally. Back in 2008, she expressed to Philadelphia Magazine, "I didn’t want to use my family name because I thought, A, it was a little hideous, and B, I wanted to know when someone really knew me or they didn’t." Her candid reflections mark her growth from being "really touchy" about her last name, which she described as "a sturdy Polish-Jewish name," to now embracing her stage identity fully.
The discussion sparked enthusiasm among her fans who admire her for her career choices and authenticity. By changing her name, Dennings not only redefined her professional brand but also paved the way for her success—a feat she's remained proud of, as indicated by her affirmations during her podcast discussions.
With clarity and humor, Dennings demonstrates how a personal story of name and identity can intertwine with one's career, making the ordinary remarkably relatable. The actress is now seen as embodying the essence of personality and versatility, inspired by her roots yet firmly established within the entertainment industry.
Dennings stands as the embodiment of her crafted identity, gracefully merging her past with her present—a reminder to follow one's instinct, even from the youngest age, when it came time to choose how she'd be known to the world. Such decisions, whether at nine years old or as adults, can illuminate pathways to success. Kat’s story leaves us with the compelling takeaway: sometimes, the simplest changes lead to the most significant transformations.