Bob Rafelson's Real Name: Robert Jay Rafelson

Quick answer: Bob Rafelson's real name was Robert Jay Rafelson. He was born on February 21, 1933, in New York City, and worked as Bob Rafelson—the familiar short form of Robert.

[IMAGE: credited photo of Bob Rafelson on a film set, with credit]

Rafelson's name and early career

Library of Congress and Television Academy materials identify him as Robert / Bob Rafelson, born February 21, 1933 (LOC; Television Academy). "Bob" is a standard nickname, not an invented stage brand, but searchers still look up the full legal-style form Robert Jay Rafelson.

With Bert Schneider he co-created the TV series The Monkees (1966–68), which won Emmy Awards and spun into the feature Head (1968), which Rafelson co-wrote and directed. Through Raybert/BBS Productions he helped launch New Hollywood films including Easy Rider (as producer, 1969).

Five Easy Pieces and New Hollywood

Rafelson's best-known directorial work is Five Easy Pieces (1970) starring Jack Nicholson, a landmark of American independent-spirited studio filmmaking. Other credits include The King of Marvin Gardens (1972), Stay Hungry (1976), and later features such as The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981) remake (Washington Post obituary; Oscars.org notice).

[IMAGE: credited still from Five Easy Pieces or The Monkees production, with credit]

He died July 23, 2022, in Aspen, Colorado, at 89 (Washington Post).

Amazon note (tag realname1-20): Five Easy Pieces, Head, and Monkees DVD/Blu-ray sets are natural slots.