11 Celebrities You Forgot Starred in Old TV Commercials

Before they were famous, these celebrities were selling soda, burgers, and shampoo on your TV screen—and you probably didn’t even notice.

Sophia Zapanta
April 23, 2025
5 min read

11 Celebrities You Forgot Starred in Old TV Commercials — Evert F. Baumgardner on Wikimedia Commons

Long before red carpets and Oscars, many stars had to pay their dues in awkward, over-the-top commercials. From fast food chains to acne cream, these early gigs were often cringey, charming, and totally forgotten. It’s time to rewind and see where some A-listers actually started out.

1. Brad Pitt – Pringles

Blake Nelson Boyd on Wikimedia Commons

In the late 1980s, Brad Pitt starred in a commercial for Pringles chips. He played a carefree guy cruising in a convertible, snacking on the chips. The ad featured him looking effortlessly cool, a far cry from his later dramatic roles. It’s one of his earliest gigs before he became a Hollywood icon.

2. Leonardo DiCaprio – Bubble Yum

Georges Biard on Wikimedia Commons

Before he was a household name, Leonardo DiCaprio appeared in a 1990s commercial for Bubble Yum. In the ad, he’s a young, energetic teen showing off the fun side of the gum. He portrayed a carefree kid with an adventurous spirit, far removed from the intense roles he would later become famous for. It’s a fun glimpse into his career before Titanic.

3. Morgan Freeman – Listerine

John Mathew Smith on Wikimedia Commons

In the 1970s, Morgan Freeman appeared in a commercial for Listerine mouthwash. Known for his deep, commanding voice, Freeman’s role in the ad was to promote the product’s ability to fight bad breath. The commercial was straightforward, with Freeman exuding a calm authority. It was an early indication of the voice we would later recognize in narrations and movie roles.

4. Naomi Watts – Tampax

Eva Rinaldi on Wikimedia Commons

Naomi Watts appeared in an Australian Tampax commercial during the 1980s before she became a Hollywood star. In the ad, she was tasked with educating young women about the product and its use. Watts portrayed a friendly and approachable image, far from the complex roles she would later play in movies. It’s a rare look at her early career before gaining international fame.

5. Paul Rudd – Super Nintendo

lukeford.net on Wikimedia Commons

In 1991, a young Paul Rudd starred in a commercial for the launch of the Super Nintendo in the United States. The ad featured him acting as an enthusiastic gamer, playing the new system in an exaggerated, dramatic fashion. He was part of a group of teens who were completely engrossed in their new gaming experience. It’s a fun reminder of his youthful energy before his rise to fame.

6. Ben Affleck – Burger King

Elen Nivrae on Wikimedia Commons

In 1989, a teenage Ben Affleck appeared in a commercial for Burger King. The ad featured him as a cool guy who delivers fast food to a girl he hears about on the radio. He played the part with a lot of charm and youthful energy, long before becoming a leading man in Hollywood. The commercial is a glimpse into his early days before hitting the big screen.

7. Bryan Cranston – Preparation H

Martin Kraft on Wikimedia Commons

Before his Emmy-winning role in Breaking Bad, Bryan Cranston starred in an ad for Preparation H in the 1980s. The commercial featured him speaking cheerfully about the benefits of the hemorrhoid cream, a far cry from the intense characters he would later play. Cranston’s performance was very straightforward and humorous, showing off his versatile acting range even early in his career.

8. Keanu Reeves – Coca-Cola

Marybel Le Pape on Wikimedia Commons

Keanu Reeves appeared in a 1980s Coca-Cola commercial. In it, he played a bike racer who celebrated a big win by cracking open a Coke. The ad was straightforward, showing off his youthful charm with his trademark laid-back attitude. This commercial was one of his first big promotional jobs, well before his roles in The Matrix or John Wick. It’s a fun throwback to a time when Keanu was just starting to find his niche in Hollywood.

9. Sarah Jessica Parker – Burger King

Library of Congress Life on Wikimedia Commons

In the late 1980s, Sarah Jessica Parker appeared in a commercial for Burger King. She played a young woman eagerly devouring a Whopper while promoting the fast-food chain’s new offerings. The commercial was a far cry from her sophisticated Sex and the City persona. It’s a fun piece of nostalgia, showing her early days before becoming a fashion icon.

10. Reese Witherspoon – Let’s Go Shopping for The Limited

dtstuff9 on WIkimedia Commons

Before she became famous for roles like Legally Blonde, Reese Witherspoon appeared in a 1990s commercial for The Limited, a clothing store. In the ad, she cheerfully modeled trendy outfits, showing off her natural charm. The commercial was bright and peppy, perfect for Reese’s personality. It’s fun to look back at her more youthful and commercial-friendly side.

11. Charlize Theron – Raymond Weil Watches

Fuzheado on Wikimedia Commons

In the early 2000s, Charlize Theron starred in a commercial for Raymond Weil watches. She exuded high-fashion glamour and sophistication, aligning with her emerging Hollywood star status. This ad showcased her elegance, which later translated into roles in films like Monster and Mad Max: Fury Road. It’s a reminder of her versatility as an actress and style icon long before her Oscar win.