# Spotting Movie/TV actors in commercials **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** commercials-ads\ **Created:** [December 11, 2019, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-movie-tv-actors-in-commercials/844707 "2019-12-11T14:04:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2019, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-movie-tv-actors-in-commercials/844707/21 "2019-12-13T16:17:24Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > I always get a little schadenfreude when I see [Lola Glaudini](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0322164/?ref_=tt_rv_t2) in a commercial. Why schadenfreude? She seems to be doing fine even though she’s doing commercials. And what do you have against her? I’m honestly puzzled. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2019, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-movie-tv-actors-in-commercials/844707/22 "2019-12-13T16:29:57Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > Why schadenfreude? She seems to be doing fine even though she’s doing commercials. And what do you have against her? I’m honestly puzzled. I do not have anything against her. She’s a fine actress, and does indeed seem to be having a fine career. I really enjoyed her run on _The Sopranos_. But her departure from _Criminal Minds_ felt\* very much like “I’m getting off this show before it gets cancelled,” and that really amuses me 13 seasons later. Truth be told, I sort of hope she comes back as a villain in the final season coming up (either her or Thomas Gibson, but I suspect his bridges are burned beyond repair). The schadenfreude I feel in this case is more akin to the feeling you get when the car that cut you off is sitting at the red light when you get there 3.4 seconds later. Just sort of a general “well, look who didn’t get very far after all.” There’s really no point in nitpicking it beyond that, it’s just a gut reaction thing. - Googling reveals that she left the show because she wanted to return to the east coast. That’s cool, and is certainly a valid reason to leave. I’m talking about my perception. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2019, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-movie-tv-actors-in-commercials/844707/23 "2019-12-13T16:37:37Z")
I never watched Criminal Minds, but I always thought Lola Glaudini was excellent in everything I have seen - her turn in NYPD Blue was outstanding for example. So I really don’t get your dislike of her. I mean, if she had come out and said “I feel this show isn’t showcasing my talents, and I’m a far better actor than this show deserves”, as she left, then sure, you’d have a case. But that doesn’t appear to be the case here. I’ve never understood the whole “I feel I should have input into actor’s career decisions”, but you do you I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2019, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-movie-tv-actors-in-commercials/844707/24 "2019-12-13T17:30:28Z")
Back when I was auditioning for commercials, I would run into a number of people who had regular occasional supporting roles in a series that was no longer running. Not name actors, but if you watched the series you would recognize them. They would be sitting in the waiting room on a plastic folding chair just like the rest of us. Actors gotta work! ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2019, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-movie-tv-actors-in-commercials/844707/25 "2019-12-13T17:34:07Z")
I think the most prominent examples are JK Simmons in the Farmers Insurance commercials, and Dean Winters as “Mayhem” in the Allstate commercials. I’d wager as many or more people know those actors from those commercials as from their regular acting gigs (of which there is no shortage). And re: Lola Glaudini, she’s had a perfectly cromulent career post “Criminal Minds” having recurring roles in “The Expanse”, “Agents of SHIELD” and “Ray Donovan” in the past 4-5 years, as well as a lot of one-off roles in various shows. I hardly think doing a commercial counts as having some sort of career flame-out these days. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2019, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-movie-tv-actors-in-commercials/844707/26 "2019-12-13T17:50:30Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > I never watched Criminal Minds, but I always thought Lola Glaudini was excellent in everything I have seen - her turn in NYPD Blue was outstanding for example. I never said anything against her acting. I’ll grant that “fine” is faint praise, but it’s not a slam. > [@](#): > > So I really don’t get your dislike of her. I specifically said, “I do not have anything against her.” > [@](#): > > I mean, if she had come out and said “I feel this show isn’t showcasing my talents, and I’m a far better actor than this show deserves”, as she left, then sure, you’d have a case. I’m not making a case. I reported a _feeling_, and then explained that feeling when asked. And then I specifically said, “it’s just a gut reaction thing” to underscore that I’m not trying to make a _rational_ argument and to suggest that I don’t expect anyone else to share my feeling or join in. > [@](#): > > I’ve never understood the whole “I feel I should have input into actor’s career decisions” Nor do I, and I hope we can agree that I’ve said _literally nothing_ to suggest that I do. > [@](#): > > but you do you I guess. Thanks, I will, and I encourage you to do the same, to the extent that it doesn’t involve putting words in my mouth. > [@bump](#): > > I hardly think doing a commercial counts as having some sort of career flame-out these days. Agreed. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2019, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-movie-tv-actors-in-commercials/844707/27 "2019-12-13T19:54:01Z")
Robert De Niro did some Amex card commercials a while back. I read that he did it to get Amex to support his film festival. Lola Glaudini played an FBI agent on the Sopranos. At first she was undercover but later was a regular agent. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2019, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-movie-tv-actors-in-commercials/844707/28 "2019-12-13T21:41:19Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Robert De Niro did some Amex card commercials a while back. I read that he did it to get Amex to support his film festival. > > Lola Glaudini played an FBI agent on the Sopranos. At first she was undercover but later was a regular agent. And Captain Shaddid on the first season of “The Expanse” (Miller’s Star Helix boss on Ceres)… ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2022, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-movie-tv-actors-in-commercials/844707/29 "2022-09-08T00:53:10Z")
Bumping this thread after a long hiatus. Spotted a familiar face in a Wendy’s commercial, but couldn’t place her. Turns out she’s Vernee Watson, who’s had a long career in TV, soaps, and movies. For some reason she keeps playing nurses and doctors. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/KiwD79mkLn4/maxresdefault.jpg "Better Than Mom’s - Wendy’s French Toast Sticks") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiwD79mkLn4) ---
**Author:** ![veryfrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/87869e/32.png) [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2022, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-movie-tv-actors-in-commercials/844707/30 "2022-09-08T03:20:06Z")
This is still my big “I’m not the only one seeing this, right? I didn’t imagine it? Okay, then.” moment. Robert Loggia shilling for Minute Maid orange juice: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/bZIzRqDOSZo/hqdefault.jpg "Whoa, Robert Loggia!") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZIzRqDOSZo) ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2022, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-movie-tv-actors-in-commercials/844707/31 "2022-09-08T05:06:53Z")
[Stephen Ogg](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1476804/), who played Simon on _The Walking Dead_, as well as Rebus in _Westworld_, plus appeared as the voice actor and physical representation of Trevor Phillips in _Grand Theft Auto V_, is currently in an ad for [Old Spice](https://youtu.be/sLK08M3bKFg). ---
**Author:** ![medstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2022, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-movie-tv-actors-in-commercials/844707/32 "2022-09-08T18:50:52Z")
Verne Watson is currently appearing “Bob hearts Abishola” playing a nurse. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2022, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-movie-tv-actors-in-commercials/844707/33 "2022-09-08T18:57:32Z")
> [@veryfrank](#): > > Robert Loggia shilling for Minute Maid orange juice Except he’s not playing a character. He’s playing Robert Loggia so it doesn’t meet the spirit of the thread. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2022, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-movie-tv-actors-in-commercials/844707/34 "2022-09-08T21:40:26Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > He’s playing Robert Loggia so it doesn’t meet the spirit of the thread. Can you spell that? [Sure, “R” as in Robert Loggia, “O” as in “Oh, my God, it’s Robert Loggia,” “B” as in “By God, that’s Robert Loggia,” “E” as in everybody loves Robert Loggia, “R” as in Robert Loggia, “T” as in “Tim, look over there, it’s Robert Loggia,” space, “L” as in "Look, it’s Robert Loggia… "](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm7bgcRVhQ0) ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2022, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-movie-tv-actors-in-commercials/844707/35 "2022-09-08T22:27:15Z")
Do print ads count? Because I was reading some old, 1970s magazines, and I saw one with Tom Selleck as a cigarette guy pretty face, and Arnold Schwarzenegger shilling something not as himself but just as a muscular model. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2022, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-movie-tv-actors-in-commercials/844707/36 "2022-09-09T00:08:23Z")
I’d say those count. But both of those examples seem to be before the actors were famous. My idea behind the thread was actors you recognize from relatively prominent roles in TV or Movies being spotting in commercials playing a random character. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2022, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-movie-tv-actors-in-commercials/844707/37 "2022-09-09T00:18:54Z")
When Geico first started TV commercials, the lizard was voiced by Kelsey Grammer. That didn’t last long. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2022, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-movie-tv-actors-in-commercials/844707/38 "2022-09-09T00:50:14Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > But both of those examples seem to be before the actors were famous. Yes, and the next month had a different, Selleck-like pretty face for the same brand of cigarette. I wonder what the other guy thought - damn that Selleck! I should be famous! ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2022, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-movie-tv-actors-in-commercials/844707/39 "2022-09-09T01:22:57Z")
Christian Slater was the voiceover for numerous Autotrader commercials about 10 years ago. Here’s one of them: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/--zbPxnl27o/maxresdefault.jpg "AutoTrader.com New Car TV Spot") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--zbPxnl27o) ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2022, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-movie-tv-actors-in-commercials/844707/40 "2022-09-09T01:35:21Z")
I don’t know if this counts or not, but Paul Scheer and Yvette Nicole Brown did a series of T-Mobile commercials in which they are never named or credited, and play hosts for some kind of talk show. I feel like those are two people that people recognize, but don’t necessarily know from _where_. (Scheer is a standup comedian and actor who’s been in a bunch of diifferent stuff, and Brown is probably best known from _Community_. I had to look them both up for this post. 🤷‍♂️ ) > **[Paul Scheer TV Commercials](https://www.ispot.tv/topic/actor-actress/SO/paul-scheer)** > > Watch, interact and learn more about the songs, characters, and celebrities that appear in your favorite Paul Scheer TV Commercials. Watch the commercial, share it with friends, then discover more great Paul Scheer TV Commercials on iSpot.tv [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spotting-movie-tv-actors-in-commercials/844707.md?page=1)