Nicolas Cage has revealed that he is frequently mistaken for Australian musician Nick Cave, sharing the ongoing mix-ups during a recent interview. With Cage currently promoting his new film, The Surfer, filmed and set in Australia, the actor noted that confusion between him and Nick Cave is nearly a daily occurrence, regardless of where he is.
Speaking to The Guardian, Nicolas Cage recounted the frequency of these mix-ups, saying,
Cage described how people approach him, often referencing performances he never gave.
Neither Cage nor Cave appeared in Tony Scott’s cult film The Hunger, but mistaken references persist, further fueling the identity confusion.
Nicolas Cage shared a memorable encounter believed to have taken place at Sealy Animal Hospital in Texas, recalling,
The remark, according to Cage, underlines both the simple link in their names and the persistent mix-ups he faces in public.
These anecdotes are echoed by Nick Cave himself, who has publicly acknowledged being mistaken for Nicolas Cage. On his Red Hand Files website in 2022, Cave addressed similar incidents, stating,
Beyond official identification, the confusion has permeated everyday activities for both men. Cave recounted a lengthy story involving a visit to the Healesville Sanctuary gift shop in Victoria, where he purchased a didgeridoo for his son. The incident culminated in an unexpected meeting with Nicolas Cage at a local pub, according to Cave’s account.

While the authenticity of these tales remains open to interpretation, both Nicolas Cage and Nick Cave have provided vivid descriptions of their encounters, adding a layer of intrigue to the ongoing mix-ups. The stories, recounted across interviews and web postings, highlight not only humor but also the small frustrations that can arise from frequent cases of mistaken identity.
Nicolas Cage, in his recent interview, also took a moment to address the existence of an Australian band named Nicolas Cage Fighter. “I think they’re terrific,” Cage explained.
The persistent confusion between Nicolas Cage and Nick Cave, while sometimes a source of amusement, also touches on the broader challenge public figures face with global recognition and recurring identity mix-ups. As each continues their creative pursuits in film and music respectively, the anecdotes provide a glimpse into the sometimes surreal overlap of celebrity and everyday life, leaving both fans and the celebrities themselves navigating a blurred line of fame, familiarity, and mistaken identity.