16 Celebrities Who Were in Shockingly Bad Commercials
These 16 celebrities appeared in commercials that were widely seen as awkward, confusing, or poorly made.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 6 min read
Famous actors, musicians, and athletes have sometimes taken part in ads that did not reflect their usual image or talent. In some cases, the commercials were criticized for being tone-deaf, over-the-top, or lacking clear purpose. This list looks at real examples of well-known figures in commercials that drew public confusion or criticism.
1. Leonardo DiCaprio – Jim Beam (Japan)
Georges Biard on Wikimedia Commons
In the early 1990s, Leonardo DiCaprio appeared in a Japanese television ad for Jim Beam whiskey. The commercial showed him walking slowly through a room, smiling without context, and quietly sipping the drink. It had no dialogue and no clear message, which made it feel disconnected from his usual roles. Viewers later described it as odd and lacking purpose.
2. Brad Pitt – SoftBank (Japan)
Blake Nelson Boyd on Wikimedia Commons
Brad Pitt starred in a Japanese ad campaign for SoftBank that included surreal scenes and unclear storytelling. In one commercial, he was shown dancing, climbing buildings, and doing random activities that did not relate to mobile services. The style was loud and confusing, and there was little explanation of the product. Many people who saw it said they didn’t understand what was being advertised.
3. Britney Spears – Candie’s Shoes
Glenn Francis on Wikimedia Commons
Britney Spears appeared in a Candie’s Shoes commercial in 2009 that was meant to be fun and youthful. The ad used fast cuts, bright colors, and exaggerated set designs that overwhelmed the product being sold. Her performance was energetic but looked overly staged and forced. Critics said the commercial relied too much on visuals instead of showing why the shoes were worth buying.
4. Ben Affleck – Burger King
Josh Jensen on Wikimedia Commons
Ben Affleck starred in a Burger King commercial in the early 1980s before he was famous. In the ad, he drives through a neighborhood to deliver a meal to a girl he just spoke to on the phone. His delivery feels stiff, and the entire concept is outdated by modern standards. The ad later resurfaced online and drew attention for its awkward tone and script.
5. Jennifer Lawrence – Dior Lipstick
Kurt Kulac on Wikimedia Commons
Jennifer Lawrence appeared in a Dior lipstick ad that was highly stylized and serious in tone. The visuals showed her walking through empty rooms with intense lighting and dramatic music. The commercial barely showed the product or gave any clear information about it. Viewers questioned the point of the ad and felt it relied too much on her image.
6. Bruce Willis – Sky Broadband (UK)
Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons
In 2013, Bruce Willis appeared in several ads for Sky Broadband in the UK, where he played exaggerated characters meant to add humor. He dressed in costumes and spoke in unusual voices, which felt out of character for him. The campaign tried to be comedic but often came across as forced. Reviews at the time noted that the tone didn’t match his usual acting style.
7. Arnold Schwarzenegger – Energy Drink (Japan)
Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons
Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared in a Japanese commercial for a product called Arinamin V, an energy drink. He shouted and made loud expressions while the commercial used quick cuts and bold graphics. The ad was high-energy but lacked a clear message. It later went viral for its chaotic and exaggerated presentation.
8. Shaquille O’Neal – Icy Hot
MarkScottAustinTX on Wikimedia Commons
Shaquille O’Neal has done multiple commercials for Icy Hot, a pain relief product. In some versions, he uses the product in settings that look unrealistic, like mid-game or while doing daily tasks. His lines are often delivered with little emotion or connection to the situation. Critics said the ads didn’t show real use cases or practical benefits.
9. Kendall Jenner – Pepsi
BevinKacon on Wikimedia Commons
In 2017, Kendall Jenner appeared in a Pepsi commercial that showed her ending a protest by handing a can of soda to a police officer. The ad was immediately criticized for oversimplifying serious social justice issues. It was pulled within 24 hours due to public backlash. Pepsi and Jenner both issued statements afterward in response to the controversy.
10. Chuck Norris – T-Mobile (Czech Republic)
Staff Sgt. Tony Foster on Wikimedia Commons
Chuck Norris appeared in a Czech ad for T-Mobile that included him dancing and wearing bright outfits. The commercial was intended to be humorous by showing him in a setting very different from his usual action roles. Some viewers found it entertaining, while others said it felt forced and unnatural. It gained mixed reactions online and in local media.
11. Madonna – Mitsubishi (Japan)
chrisweger on Wikimedia Commons
Madonna did a commercial for Mitsubishi in Japan where she appeared in a series of stylized shots, but with little connection to the product. The visuals focused more on her image than on the car being promoted. There was minimal dialogue or explanation throughout the ad. Many viewers were unsure what the commercial was meant to convey.
12. Snoop Dogg – Just Eat (UK)
Toglenn on Wikimedia Commons
In 2020, Snoop Dogg was featured in a UK commercial for food delivery company Just Eat. He rapped custom lyrics about ordering food, with a colorful and flashy visual style. While some praised the ad’s creativity, others said it felt disconnected from the brand’s usual image. The lyrics and style felt more like a parody than a clear advertisement.
13. Hulk Hogan – Rent-A-Center
Hulk Hogan on Wikimedia Commons
Hulk Hogan appeared in a Rent-A-Center ad alongside other celebrities, where he played up his wrestling persona. He shouted slogans and struck poses while standing next to furniture. The tone was exaggerated and lacked a serious focus on the products. Critics said it felt more like a sketch than a real sales message.
14. Natalie Portman – Miss Dior
Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons
Natalie Portman has done several perfume commercials for Miss Dior. One of the most discussed versions showed her jumping off a pier and running away in a wedding dress. The ad focused heavily on visuals and mood but did not explain anything about the fragrance. Many viewers found it confusing and lacking a clear connection to the product.
15. Ozzy Osbourne – World of Warcraft
Chicks With Guns Magazine on Wikimedia Commons
Ozzy Osbourne was featured in a World of Warcraft commercial where he introduced himself as the “Prince of Darkness” and claimed to be the new face of the game. He stood in a studio with CGI effects while clips of the game played behind him. The performance looked stiff, and it wasn’t clear whether he actually played the game. The ad received mixed reactions from both fans of Ozzy and the game.
16. Paris Hilton – Carl’s Jr.
Office of Congressman Greg Steube on Wikimedia Commons
Paris Hilton starred in a Carl’s Jr. ad where she washed a car while eating a burger. The commercial used slow-motion shots and suggestive imagery to grab attention. It showed very little of the food or the restaurant itself. The ad received complaints for using sexual imagery to sell fast food and was criticized in media reviews.