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12 Nostalgic Ads That Used Celebrities in the Weirdest Ways

Advertising has long relied on using famous faces to sell products, but sometimes, the results have been downright strange. Celebrities showed up in the most unexpected ways, doing things that had nothing to do with their actual talents. Looking back now, these ads feel more bizarre than convincing.

  • Tricia Quitales
  • 4 min read
12 Nostalgic Ads That Used Celebrities in the Weirdest Ways
Andrea Piacquadio

Celebrity endorsements have been a staple of marketing for decades, but not every one made sense. Some pairings were so odd they became unforgettable for all the wrong reasons. These nostalgic ads stand out for how weirdly they used well-known stars to grab attention. Whether funny, awkward, or just confusing, they’ve earned a permanent place in ad history.

1. Shaquille O’Neal for Taco Bell’s “Shaq Pack”

Alex Gouchnour on Wikimedia Alex Gouchnour on Wikimedia

Shaq’s larger-than-life personality was used to promote an oversized meal box at Taco Bell. He rapped about tacos and burritos in a way that felt more goofy than appetizing. The commercial was fun but didn’t exactly scream “authentic flavor.”

2. Hulk Hogan for Right Guard Deodorant

Kristin Fitzsimmons on Wikimedia Kristin Fitzsimmons on Wikimedia

Seeing a shirtless Hulk Hogan talk about smelling fresh was as odd as it sounds. The wrestling legend slammed locker doors and flexed while shouting about sweat protection. It was loud, confusing, and definitely unforgettable.

3. Paula Abdul and a Cartoon Cat for Diet Coke

Uncredited photographer for National Institute of Health on Wikimedia Uncredited photographer for National Institute of Health on Wikimedia

Paula Abdul danced with an animated cat named MC Skat Kat in a surreal Diet Coke ad. The mix of live action and animation was catchy but made little sense. It felt more like a music video than a soda commercial.

4. Ozzy Osbourne for I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter

F darkbladeus on Wikimedia F darkbladeus on Wikimedia

The prince of darkness swapped bats for buttery toast in this unexpected ad. Watching Ozzy calmly spread margarine and praise its taste was oddly charming. It left fans wondering if they were watching a parody.

5. Nicolas Cage for Sankyo Pachinko Machines

Apple Inc. on Wikimedia Apple Inc. on Wikimedia

Cage appeared in a flashy Japanese commercial for pachinko machines, wearing a samurai outfit and yelling in Japanese. The energy was wild, and his expressions were over-the-top. It was so random that many fans didn’t believe it was real.

6. Brad Pitt for Edwin Jeans (Japan)

Tanaya M. Harms on Wikimedia Tanaya M. Harms on Wikimedia

Long before he was a global superstar, Brad Pitt appeared in a series of strange Japanese jeans commercials. He danced, posed, and made odd faces while barely mentioning the product. It was stylish but made no sense.

7. Mr. T for World of Warcraft

Lennart Guldbrandsson on Wikimedia Lennart Guldbrandsson on Wikimedia

Mr. T claimed to be a “night elf mohawk” in an ad for the online game World of Warcraft. He never actually played the game but insisted he was in it anyway. The mix of tough-guy attitude and fantasy gaming was bizarre but memorable.

8. Fabio for I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter

Granma59 on Wikimedia Granma59 on Wikimedia

Fabio’s flowing hair and romantic stare were used to sell margarine in a series of dramatic, overly romantic ads. He rode horses and whispered about butter substitutes like he was in a romance novel. It was so cheesy it actually worked.

9. Michael Jackson for Pepsi

White House Photo Office on Wikimedia White House Photo Office on Wikimedia

Michael Jackson moonwalked through a street full of dancing kids for Pepsi, turning soda into a pop concert. The ad looked cool, but linking Pepsi to MJ’s magical powers felt like a stretch. It later gained more attention after a serious on-set accident.

10. Chris Rock for 1-800-COLLECT

Singlespeedfahrer on Wikimedia Singlespeedfahrer on Wikimedia

Chris Rock used his high energy and quick jokes to promote cheap collect calls. He shouted, danced, and made exaggerated faces to get people to call home. The ad was fast and funny, but also a little chaotic.

11. Donald Trump for Pizza Hut Stuffed Crust

Sgt. Jette Carr on Wikimedia Sgt. Jette Carr on Wikimedia

Trump and his then-wife Ivana shared a pizza in an ad focused on the crust. The commercial had romantic tension and pizza innuendo that felt strange. It was hard to tell whether they were selling food or engaging in awkward drama.

12. Alan Alda for Atari Computers

Photographer-Friedman-Abeles, New York on Wikimedia Photographer-Friedman-Abeles, New York on Wikimedia

Known for his calm and thoughtful role on MAS*H, Alda appeared in ads for Atari computers, attempting to explain their technology. His soft-spoken tone clashed with the fast-paced world of early home computing. It was a weird match that didn’t last long.

Written by: Tricia Quitales

Tricia is a recent college graduate whose true passion lies in writing—a hobby she’s cherished for years. Now a Content Writer at Illumeably, Tricia combines her love for storytelling with her fascination for personal growth. She’s all about continuous learning, taking risks, and using her words to connect with and inspire others.

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