In 1917 Stan was asked to make a short comedy film. The two-reeler, Nuts in May, was funny enough to convince Stan that he could succeed in films. It was about this time that Mae Daulberg, Stan's vaudeville partner and partner in other respects as well, (she became Stan's common-law wife) suggested that Stan change his name. She pointed out that "Stan Jefferson" contained 13 characters. She suggested the last name of "Laurel," which stuck.

In 1926, Stan signed his first contract with Hal Roach Studios. It was his intention to work primarily as a writer and director, but fate stepped in. Oliver Hardy, another member of the Hal Roach Studios "Comedy All Star" players, was injured in a kitchen mishap (he burned himself on a leg of lamb) and Stan was asked to return to the front of the cameras.

Arthur Stanley was known to his family as Stan. His siblings were an older brother named Gordon, a younger sister named Bernice, a younger brother named Sydney (who died while still an infant), and a baby brother named Everett, but called "Teddy" by the family.