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
2. Allstate Man – Dennis Haysbert
You probably recognize him either as the lovable (and terrifying) Pedro Serrano 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
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
6. 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.”
7. Pine Sol Lady
8. 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.”
9. Singer for FreeCreditReport.com – Eric Violette
10. 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.”
11. Toyota’s Jan – Laurel Coppock
11. 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.
12. Ocean Spray Guys – Justin Hagan & Henry Strozier
13. 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.
14. Jake From State Farm – Jake Stone
15. The Wendy’s Girl – Morgan Smith Goodman
Morgan is still starting in the industry, and has only made a couple of appearances in some short films.
16. Subway’s Jared – Jared Fogle
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. Martin The Geico Gecko – Jake Wood
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.
