The Hugh Jackman theory?

>Not that I'm aware of.
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>Probably because he's the producer too? Otherwise, it's the Hugh Jackman theory.
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>>Hello, Dorris Beard. Are you by any chance related to Katie Holmes?
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>>It's really none of my business but I am irritated at the constant commercials with Tom Cruise starring in the new movie "Jack Reacher." The book series is one of my favorites. The book character is 6'5" and 250 pounds. How was Tom Cruise ever cast in that role?
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>>>I feel your pain. 'Beaird' is historically the correct way to spell the name and it has a distinct English, Irish and Scots branch. How the name got spelled over here depended on if your first family member hit Ellis Island on the way in (mine was 1780-something, so no) and how literate the person was taking your name down - or how literate you were to be able to spell it for them. Hence 'Beaird', 'Beard', 'Baird'.
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>>>It's pronounced, at least in our family, as 'beard'. One nice thing though, when telemarketers call it sounds something like "Hello, is Mrs Beeyeard there?". I have absolutely no problem saying "Nope, no one with that name here.".
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>>>And forget trying to explain how to spell it. I just go with 'Yeah, 3 vowels together.' because people want to spell it "Bearid".
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>>>>I have an English name (Whiteley), and I have only had two Americans pronounce it correctly, as far as my family is concerned. By the way, I am related to William Whiteley of Westborne Grove (the world’s first department store).
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>>>>The name is Old English, the color White and ley added. Ley in Old English became Leigh (middle English), which became Forest (Modern English). Considering the name started from Denmark, moved to Normandy France, and then England, has been interesting to trace.
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>>>>Americans like to pronounce Whiteley as Whit lee or Whit a lee. White lee seems to be too difficult for most people to understand. In Missouri, I was assured that my name was pronounced Whit lee! Of course in Missouri, they like to pronounce the name of their state Missour ah.
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>>>>Languages can be fun! :)