Actor Jay Mohr – who is the star of Gary Unmarried and had roles in Jerry Maguire and Saturday Night Live, – got married to Las Vegas actress Nikki Cox two years ago. No one really noticed because Mohr and Cox aren’t exactly A-list celebs. They probably get asked for autographs at Starbucks once in a while, and that’s about the extent of it. But now Mohr is getting some very rude attention for deciding to take Cox’s last name.

Jay is unwittingly looking to add Mohr laughs to his life.

Following in the footsteps of John Ono Lennon, the Gary Unmarried star filed a petition a week ago to legally add his wife’s surname to his own, thereby making his full appellation Jon (his birth name) Ferguson Cox Mohr.

Well, better than the other way around, isn’t it?

Seriously, though, it’s a sweet gesture—and a two-year anniversary present. Mohr swapped vows with Las Vegas actress Nikki Cox on Dec. 29, 2006. It was his second trip down the aisle and, per documents filed Dec. 19 in Los Angeles Superior Court, the one he’s looking to make stick.

[From E! News]

E’s take on the story is relatively gentle and fair. Several other websites have mocked Mohr not just for the narrowly avoided, unfortunate, “Jay Leno wedding announcement-esq” bad last name combination, but for his decision to take his wife’s name at all. TMZ described it as “emasculating,” and many commenters on other websites have echoed similar opinions.

I agree with E!, it is an incredibly thoughtful gesture. And Cox added Mohr’s name to her own – why in the world shouldn’t he do the same? It is unconventional – and good for him for not caring.

Ironically, here’s Nikki and Jay at Starbucks on December 22nd. They do seem overly worried about being recognized, what with the head ducking and all. Images thanks to Bauer-Griffin. Header of them at the People’s Choice Awards nominations in Beverly Hills on November 10th. Image thanks to WENN.