I really don’t know. But I will say one thing: all these decades later, I would prefer the name “Gates McFadden“ to “Cheryl McFadden“, but that’s really a matter of personal preference, and certainly not in any sort of objective creative judgment, or critique.
The name “Gates“ certainly aged better than the name “Cheryl“, at least in my opinion. She very likely came to this decision in the late 70s or early 80s. The choices certainly reflect the era.
The Screen Actor’s Guild requires one’s name to be unique. If anyone has ever used Cheryl McFadden, that name is off the table. No idea if that’s the case here.
Why would she pick a name like “Gates” on purpose?
It’s her middle name
I really don’t know. But I will say one thing: all these decades later, I would prefer the name “Gates McFadden“ to “Cheryl McFadden“, but that’s really a matter of personal preference, and certainly not in any sort of objective creative judgment, or critique.
The name “Gates“ certainly aged better than the name “Cheryl“, at least in my opinion. She very likely came to this decision in the late 70s or early 80s. The choices certainly reflect the era.
Cheryl may have fallen out of popularity but I wouldn’t say it hasn’t aged well.
Maybe of she chose Karen McFadden…
The Screen Actor’s Guild requires one’s name to be unique. If anyone has ever used Cheryl McFadden, that name is off the table. No idea if that’s the case here.