14 Stars from Commercials – Who Are They Really?

Television audiences are bombarded by commercial messages all the time, and while most are forgettable, once in a while a product pitchman or pitchwoman becomes a memorable standout. “Mr. Whipple” and the “Where’s the Beef” lady are two such examples from years gone by. Perhaps it’s due to repetition or ubiquity (or even irritation in some cases) but these familiar faces of advertising have transcended their campaigns to become part of the culture. No doubt many of these commercial stars would rather score a “real” acting gig, but a struggling actor’s gotta pay the bills, right? Even those who have achieved some legitimate acting success are more known for their 30 second spots. Let’s get to know some of the people behind the promotions.

1. Dean Winters – Allstate’s Mr. Mayhem

American actor Dean Winters has had steady work as a film and television actor. Most notably, he was a regular on Law and Order: SVU, Rescue Me, Oz and 30 Rock, where he played one of Liz Lemon’s love interests. He’s probably most recognizable, though, for his recurring work in the Allstate commercials since 2010. As the destructive “Mayhem,” the spokescharacter highlights the crazy chaos that can randomly wreak havoc in your life – from a racoon in the attic to DIY fails to clueless teen drivers – warning that cut-rate insurance policies don’t always cover that. The multi-media campaign has won over 80 of awards in the advertising business, and even Mayhem’s Facebook page has almost 2 million likes.

2. Eric Violette – The FreeCreditReport.com Singer

How did FreeCreditReport.com try to break through the clutter and make a credit report service compelling? They went for 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. The French Canadian singer’s voice is actually dubbed so his accent doesn’t distract from the message (the Milli Vanilli of the commercial world!). In real life, Violette is the lead singer of an edgy rock band called God Against God, influenced by Nine Inch Nails and Rage Against the Machine, but his work in the FreeCreditReport ads pays the bills.

3. Paul Marcarelli – Verizon’s “Can You Hear Me Now?” Guy

While he’s done a bit of stage acting and other commercial work, Paul Marcarelli’s stint as the test guy for Verizon is his biggest claim to fame. The gig ran from 2002 to 2011, so anyone with a TV during that decade saw plenty of his “can you hear me now” shtick. It’s become a cultural catchphrase. Entertainment Weekly actually named him one of the most intriguing people of 2002. Was it the horn-rimmed glasses that made him so appealing? Whatever it was, he is one of the most recognizable brand ambassadors out there, prompting Marcarelli to say, “I probably hold a world record for appearing in more airport selfies than anyone in history.”