When you think of famous actors, you usually think of those on the big screen or nightly TV shows. Some companies, however, have branded their company so well — through commercials — that some of these mascots are just as big as A-list celebrities. Who are they really though?
Just as anyone else, these icons have lives outside TV land and have appeared in movies and shows. How many of these commercial characters have you recognized?
1. Verizon's "Can You Hear Me Now" Guy - Paul Marcarelli
Paul Marcarelli, is also an actor and movie producer, having done a lot of work in documentaries like “The Royal Road.”
Very recently, Paul premiered on another one of his classic solo ads. However, this time around he's rolling with Sprint. Can you hear that?
2. Allstate Man - Dennis Haysbert
You probably recognize him either as the lovable (and terrifying) Pedro Cerrano in “Major League” and “Major League 2,” or as the President of the United States that Jack Bower was always trying to keep from getting killed on “24.”
3. Geico Caveman - John Lehr
While it may be hard to recognized him without his caveman costume, you can watch him in his latest movie "10 Items or Less."
4. Progressive Insurance's Flo - Stephanie Courtney
Courtney has played the voices of Renee the Receptionist and Joy Peters on "Tom Goes to the Mayor," Marge on "Mad Men," and Diane on "Caveman."
She has also appeared on "Men of a Certain Age."
5. AT&T's "It's Not Complicated" Guy - Beck Bennett
Beck is featured player on Saturday Night Live, and is one of the strongest contenders to be promoted to cast member.
6. Pine Sol Lady - Diane Amos
Diane has made a small name for herself in the world of film after starring in "Patch Adams," "Angels in the Outfield," and most recently, "Blue Jasmine."
7. Singer for FreeCreditReport.com - Eric Violette
Eric is from Canadia, and he has a band called God Against God.
The band went on a memorable musical meme, hiring guitar-strumming singer Eric Violette and band to create casual catchy jingles through multiple musical themes. The broke hipster musician concept worked, and the campaign has been a big success.
8. Toyota's Jan - Laurel Coppock
Laurel has made appearances on "Arrested Development," "The Office," and "Modern Family," as well as 2011's hit film "Crazy, Stupid, Love."
9. Orbit Gum Girl - Vanessa Branch
Prior to Vanessa was crowned Miss Vermont in 1994 and competed in the 1995 Miss America Pageant.
More recently, she played the character Giselle in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies.
10. Ocean Spray Guys - Justin Hagan & Henry Strozier
Prior to Ocean Spray, Henry appeared in episodes of "Sex and the City," and "Law and Order." He is also an accomplished stage actor.
As for Justin, he has appeared in a few television, short and full-length movies since Ocean Spray.
11. Jake From State Farm - Jake Stone
Jake actually used to work for State Farm and his roommate convinced him into trying out for the role, sure enough he made it!
12. Subway's Jared - Jared Fogle
Jared Fogle became an international sensation after losing a dramatic amount of weight and becoming the face of submarine sandwich chain Subway, but his fame quickly turned to infamy when in 2015 he was convicted of traveling to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.
13. Mr. Mayhem from Allstate - Dean Winters
Dean, more recently, has had roles in the sitcom "30 Rock," as well as the dramas "Rescue Me," "Law and Order: SVU," "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," and "Oz."
14. Martin The Geico Gecko - Jake Wood
In the UK, Jake is one of the stars of the long-running soap opera “EastEnders.”
15. The Man Your Man Could Smell Like - Isaiah Mustafa
Before the Old Spice commercials, Isaiah was a football player for NFL Europe and attended practice squads for several US NFL teams.
More recently, he played a small part in the first "Horrible Bosses" film.
16. The Wendy's Girl - Morgan Smith Goodman
You probably think Morgan Smith Goodwin was cast as the Wendy’s Girl because of her red hair. Actually, no-- she’s naturally a dark blonde! The Wendy's Girl or “Red,” as the character is known as, seems to evoke a grown-up version of the cartoon Wendy icon herself.
Goodwin took over as the spokeswomen for the Wendy's franchise shortly after Wendy, the daughter of the restaurant's founder, had her brief stint as the face of the restaurant. Morgan is still starting in the industry, and has only made a couple of appearances in some short films.
17. Lifecall "I've Fallen and I can't Get Up" Lady - Edith Fore
Edith Fore rose to fame as the original older lady (who actually has a name – Mrs. Fletcher.)
After she passed away in 1997, she was replaced first by Dorothy McHugh and later by Bea Marcus.
18. M&M's - Billy West (Red) / JK Simmons (Yellow)
Billy West is perhaps the most successful voice actor this side of Mel Blanc and JK Simmons recently won an Academy Award for his performance in “Whiplash.”
19. Pepsi Girl - Hallie Eisenberg
Hallie has been in a few movies since then, but you’re more than excused if you don’t recognize her based on what she looks like today.
20. AT&T's Lily - Milana Vayntrub
An alumnus of the Upright Citizens Brigade, Vayntrub has appeared in a variety of comedy short films and has had small parts on several TV series. After her time in the commercial, she went from unknown to much more well-known thanks to more high-profile roles in television shows.
When she isn’t working as an actress and comedian, Milana is an activist for refugees and uses her social media following and newfound fame to make sure the causes she holds near and dear to her heart get heard by others as well.