18 Commercial Mascots That Were Oddly Popular
Some advertising mascots became unexpectedly beloved, turning quirky characters into cultural icons.
- Chris Graciano
- 5 min read
Commercial mascots are designed to sell products. But sometimes they take on a life of their own. A few of these oddball figures became more famous than the brands they represented. They’re now stuck in people’s memories long after the ads stopped airing. Here are 18 commercial mascots that gained surprising popularity despite their unusual charm.
1. The Kool-Aid Man
Chris Favero on Wikimedia Commons
Few mascots made an entrance like the Kool-Aid Man. Bursting through walls with a booming “Oh yeah!” became his trademark move. His chaotic energy made zero sense but instantly appealed to kids everywhere. Even decades later, he’s a nostalgic favorite.
2. The Noid (Domino’s Pizza)
Jeremy Volkman on Flickr
Created as a villain who “ruined” pizzas, the Noid quickly became the face of Domino’s instead. His goofy appearance and slapstick antics struck a chord with viewers. Despite his odd premise, fans adored him so much that Domino’s eventually revived him decades later.
3. The Aflac Duck
Will on Flickr
A talking duck squawking “Aflac!” shouldn’t have worked, but it did. The repetitive joke turned an insurance company into a pop culture fixture. Its absurd simplicity made it impossible to forget, solidifying the duck as one of the most effective mascots ever.
4. The Taco Bell Chihuahua
Kenneth Hagemeyer on Flickr
“¡Yo quiero Taco Bell!” became a nationwide catchphrase thanks to this tiny talking dog. The chihuahua’s quirky charm made him a fast-food superstar in the late ’90s. His fame grew so huge that for a time, he was more recognizable than the restaurant itself.
5. Mr. Peanut (Planters)
Brecht Bug on Flickr
A peanut with a monocle and a top hat shouldn’t have been this classy. Mr. Peanut became the embodiment of sophistication and charm in the snack aisle. Even after a dramatic “death” campaign, fans demanded his return, proof of his timeless appeal.
6. The Geico Gecko
Willis Lam on Flickr
An insurance-selling lizard with a British accent wasn’t an obvious win, but the Geico Gecko made it work. His clever humor and friendly tone made him an instant hit. Years later, he remains one of the most enduring faces in advertising.
7. The Hamburglar (McDonald’s)
Amy on Wikimedia Commons
A masked thief stealing hamburgers sounds like bad PR, but McDonald’s made it fun. As part of the McDonaldland crew, the Hamburglar became a goofy, lovable mischief-maker. His cartoon antics and “robble robble” catchphrase turned him into a fast-food legend.
8. Crazy Eddie
Daniel Lloyd Blunk-Fernández on Unsplash
Yelling his way through chaotic electronics ads, Crazy Eddie became a regional sensation. His manic energy made the commercials impossible to ignore. Even after his stores disappeared, his tagline, “His prices are insane!”, remained pop culture gold.
9. The M&M’s Characters
Loren Javier on Flickr
Talking chocolate candies shouldn’t be this entertaining, yet the M&M’s crew pulled it off. Each color had its own personality, leading to endless banter and comedy. They turned simple candy ads into full-blown character sketches that fans loved.
10. Spuds MacKenzie (Bud Light)
Esperanza Doronila on Unsplash
This sunglasses-wearing bull terrier became the ultimate party animal of the late ’80s. Spuds’ cool attitude and endless appearances made him a cultural phenomenon. His fame skyrocketed so high that it briefly eclipsed the Bud Light brand itself.
11. The Energizer Bunny
The Accent on Flickr
A pink rabbit that just keeps going, and going, became the perfect metaphor for long-lasting batteries. The absurd image worked so well that the bunny became one of advertising’s longest-running icons. It’s still drumming decades later without missing a beat.
12. Mac Tonight (McDonald’s)
Brecht Bug on Flickr
A moon-faced jazz singer playing piano under the stars sounds like a fever dream, but it worked. Mac Tonight brought a mysterious, cool vibe to McDonald’s late-night ads. His eerie charm turned him into a cult favorite that fans still remember fondly.
13. The California Raisins
Joe Haupt on Flickr
Animated raisins singing Motown classics shouldn’t have succeeded, yet they became a sensation. Their claymation style and soulful tunes made them wildly popular. They even spawned albums, merchandise, and TV specials, overshadowing the raisins themselves.
14. The Pillsbury Doughboy
Joe Wu on Flickr
Soft, giggling, and endlessly cheerful, the Pillsbury Doughboy became a symbol of comfort. His joyful laugh when poked made him one of the most beloved mascots ever. Generations grew up associating him with warmth, family, and home baking.
15. Tony the Tiger (Frosted Flakes)
Ryan Bayne on Flickr
With his booming voice and positive attitude, Tony turned breakfast cereal into an event. His iconic “They’re grrreat!” slogan has endured for decades. The perfect mix of athleticism and friendliness made him a true advertising legend.
16. Jack Box (Jack in the Box)
Nathan Rupert on Flickr
A man in a suit with a giant clown head sounds creepy, but Jack was anything but. His sharp humor and deadpan delivery appealed to adults as much as kids. He gave the brand a distinctive, quirky personality that’s lasted for years.
17. Chester Cheetah (Cheetos)
Kenneth C. Zirkel on Wikimedia Commons
Cool, sly, and always up to trouble, Chester made snacking look rebellious. His sunglasses and smooth voice gave Cheetos an edge that appealed to both kids and teens. Chester’s “too cool to care” attitude made him one of the most iconic mascots of the ’90s.
18. Ernest P. Worrell (Various Ads)
motorhead4646 on DeviantArt
Jim Varney’s lovable, clueless Ernest sold everything from milk to appliances with his catchphrase, “KnowhutImean?” His over-the-top enthusiasm made even boring products entertaining. Ernest became so beloved that he transitioned from commercials to full-blown movie stardom.