Lawrence Brothers Reflect on Regret Over Changing Their Last Name for Hollywood

At 90s Con, Joey, Matthew, and Andrew Lawrence shared their challenges with dual names and expressed a desire to reclaim their original surname, Mignogna.

Joey Lawrence, whose legal name is Joseph Lawrence Mignogna, adopted his middle name as a last name in the 1980s due to industry pressure to simplify his original surname.
Matthew and Andrew Lawrence followed suit when they entered show business, citing practicality and consistency with their brother's career path.
The brothers revealed at 90s Con on March 28, 2025, that they regret the decision, citing logistical difficulties such as international travel and government recognition issues caused by having two names.
They acknowledged that societal attitudes have shifted since the 1980s, with unique and ethnic names now being more widely celebrated in entertainment and beyond.
While the name change provided privacy during their child star years, the brothers expressed a desire to revert to their original surname, Mignogna, for simplicity and authenticity.