This good looking man walks into an agent's office in Hollywood and
says "I want to be a movie star."
Tall, handsome and with experience on Broadway, he had the right
credentials. The agent asked, "What's your name?"
The guy said, "My name is ***** van Lesbian."
The agent said, "Sir, I hate to tell you, but in order to get into
Hollywood, you are gonna have to change your name."
"I will NOT change my name! The van Lesbian name is centuries old,
I will not disrespect my grandfather by changing my name. Not ever."
The agent said, "Sir, I have worked in Hollywood for years... you
will NEVER go far in Hollywood with a name like ***** van Lesbian! I'm telling you, you
will HAVE TO change your name or I will not be able to represent you."
"So be it! I guess we will not do business together," the guy said
and he left the agent's office.
FIVE YEARS LATER.....
The agent opens an envelope sent to his office. Inside the envelope
is a letter and a check for $50,000. The agent is awestruck ...who would possibly
send him $50,000? He reads the letter enclosed ...
"Dear Sir, Five years ago, I went to your office wanting to become an actor in
Hollywood, and you told me needed to change my name. Determined to make it with my God-given birth name, I refused. You told me I would never make it in Hollywood with a name
like '***** van Lesbian.'
After I left your office, I thought about what you said. I decided
you were right. I had to change my name. I had too much pride to return to your office, so I
signed with another agent.
I would never have made it without changing my name, so the
enclosed check is a token of my appreciation.
Thank you for your advice.

Sincerely,

Dick van Dyke