15 Celebrities Who Got Their Start in Cheesy Commercials
Before becoming famous, these 15 celebrities appeared in low-budget or awkward commercials early in their careers.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Many actors and musicians took small jobs before their big break. For some, that included appearing in commercials that seem outdated or awkward by today’s standards. These 15 celebrities got their start in ads that are now viewed more as pop culture trivia than serious work.
1. Leonardo DiCaprio – Bubble Yum (1980s)
Thore Siebrands on Wikimedia Commons
As a child, Leonardo DiCaprio appeared in a Bubble Yum commercial. He had a brief speaking role and promoted the gum’s bold flavor. The ad used over-the-top graphics and energetic music. It was one of his first times on screen.
2. Brad Pitt – Pringles (1989)
Dick Thomas Johnson on Wikimedia Commons
Brad Pitt starred in a Pringles ad that aired in the late 1980s. He was seen with friends, laughing and eating chips on a road trip. The commercial focused on youth, fun, and carefree moments. It was filmed before he gained any recognition in Hollywood.
3. Sarah Michelle Gellar – Burger King (1981)
vagueonthehow on Wikimedia Commons
At age four, Sarah Michelle Gellar was in a Burger King commercial comparing the chain to McDonald’s. The ad mentioned both brands by name, which led to a lawsuit. Gellar was even banned from McDonald’s for a short time. It was her first national appearance.
4. Ben Affleck – Burger King (1989)
Sean Reynolds on Wikimedia Commons
Ben Affleck appeared in a Burger King ad where he played a teenager helping a woman with her drive-thru order. He used charm and quick thinking in the script. The ad was part of a larger youth marketing campaign. It aired a few years before his acting career took off.
5. Courteney Cox – Tampax (1985)
Felicia C. Sullivan on Wikimedia Commons
Courteney Cox became the first person to say “period” in a U.S. tampon commercial. The ad focused on comfort and confidence. Her appearance was seen as bold at the time. It aired a decade before her role on Friends.
6. Bryan Cranston – Preparation H (1980s)
Martin Kraft on Wikimedia Commons
Before Breaking Bad, Bryan Cranston appeared in a commercial for Preparation H. He played a patient dealing with hemorrhoid discomfort. The ad was serious in tone, and he was not easily recognizable. It’s now often brought up as a surprising early role.
7. Keanu Reeves – Coca-Cola (1983)
Gordon Correll on Wikimedia Commons
Keanu Reeves played a cyclist in a Coca-Cola ad during the early 1980s. He trained hard and competed in a race while his father cheered from the stands. The message focused on sports and refreshment. Reeves later said it was one of his earliest paying jobs.
8. Lindsay Lohan – Jell-O (1990s)
Rafael Amado Deras on Wikimedia Commons
Lindsay Lohan was featured in a Jell-O ad as a young child. She sat at a kitchen table, enjoying dessert with other children. The ad was bright, cheerful, and aimed at parents. It was one of her first national spots.
9. Mila Kunis – Lisa Frank (1990s)
Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons
Mila Kunis appeared in a commercial for Lisa Frank school supplies. She talked excitedly about the colors and animal designs. The ad was clearly directed toward young girls. It was filmed when she was around 10 years old.
10. Matt LeBlanc – Heinz Ketchup (1987)
Alan Light on Wikimedia Commons
Matt LeBlanc starred in a Heinz ketchup commercial that became popular for its slow-pour gag. He chased the ketchup bottle down several flights of stairs to catch the sauce just in time. It showed his charm and comedic timing. He filmed it years before joining the cast of Friends.
11. Naomi Watts – Tampax (1980s)
Eva Rinaldi on Wikimedia Commons
Naomi Watts appeared in an Australian Tampax commercial early in her career. She played a young woman who felt comfortable and active. The ad aired mostly in Australia and the UK. It marked one of her first paid acting roles.
12. Jason Bateman – Golden Grahams (1980s)
Georges Biard on Wikimedia Commons
Jason Bateman was featured in a Golden Grahams cereal ad as a teenager. He played a kid enjoying breakfast with friends. The commercial was light, fast-paced, and filled with product close-ups. It aired before his breakout roles in television.
13. Demi Moore – Diet Coke (1980s)
David Shankbone on Wikimedia Commons
Demi Moore starred in a Diet Coke ad that aired during the early part of her career. She was seen walking down a street, drinking the soda while being noticed by passersby. The ad aimed to link beauty and lifestyle to the product. It helped her gain attention before her film success.
14. Tobey Maguire – Atari (1980s)
gdcgraphics on Wikimedia Commons
Tobey Maguire appeared in a commercial for an Atari handheld console. He and other kids played video games and showed excitement about the graphics. The ad was part of a push for Atari’s newer models. It was one of his first acting gigs.
15. Aaron Paul – Corn Pops (1999)
Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons
Aaron Paul was featured in a Kellogg’s Corn Pops ad just before the 2000s. He was shown craving the cereal and acting in a dramatic way to get it. The tone was exaggerated, which was common for cereal ads then. He later became well-known for Breaking Bad.