1. Brad Pitt – El Pollo Loco
Before Fight Club and Ocean’s Eleven, Brad Pitt was just a guy trying to make it big. In the early ’90s, he appeared in a quirky commercial for El Pollo Loco, a Mexican fast food chain. In the ad, he’s seen dancing in a chicken suit, making the best of what seemed like a silly gig. It wasn’t exactly glamorous, but it did catch attention, even if it was for the wrong reasons. That appearance was a far cry from the suave roles he would later take on, but it laid the groundwork for his breakout moments. Sometimes you’ve got to take what you can get when you’re starting out. Fast forward to his Hollywood stardom, and it’s hard to believe he ever danced for chicken. His charisma and natural charm were evident even back then says Business Insider.
After the commercial aired, Brad quickly landed more acting gigs. His persistence in the industry paid off, and within a few years, he was the leading man in major films. His early appearance in that fast food commercial is now just a fun part of his origin story. It’s a reminder that even the biggest stars have to work their way up through unexpected opportunities.
2. Sarah Jessica Parker – A Barbie Commercial
Before becoming a style icon as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, Sarah Jessica Parker was just another up-and-coming actress. In the 1970s, she starred in a Barbie commercial where she happily promoted the doll’s accessories, including a dream house. The ad was part of the wave of toy commercials that aimed to capture the attention of young girls, and Sarah Jessica had the perfect youthful energy for it. It was a charming moment that probably didn’t predict her future as a fashion mogul, but it did put her in the spotlight adds IMDb.
Her career didn’t take off overnight, but the Barbie commercial was a stepping stone. It wasn’t long before she landed more roles in TV shows like Square Pegs, where her quirky charm began to shine through. While she may have been known for being a “Barbie” girl in that commercial, it wasn’t long before she was a trendsetter on the small screen. Looking back, it’s clear how much her early work shaped her career trajectory.
3. George Clooney – The Paper Towels Commercial
George Clooney’s commercial career is almost as legendary as his acting career, but not in the way you might expect. He first gained attention for a series of paper towel commercials for a brand called Kleenex. While the commercials didn’t have the same level of gravitas as his later ER days, they did showcase his ability to make something as mundane as paper towels seem compelling. Clooney’s natural charm was evident even in these simple ads, setting him apart from other actors who had taken similar commercial gigs says Daily Mail.
In those early years, Clooney was still building his brand in Hollywood, often auditioning for roles that didn’t always pan out. Yet, the paper towel commercials helped him gain recognition. By the time he hit the big time with ER, people already knew his face. His humble beginnings in commercials are a perfect example of how even the smallest roles can help build a star.
4. Tommy Lee Jones – Coca-Cola Commercial
Before becoming known for his roles in films like Men in Black and The Fugitive, Tommy Lee Jones appeared in a Coca-Cola commercial. The ad, which aired in the early ’80s, was a part of the iconic “Coke is it” campaign. In the commercial, Jones had to act as if he was a laid-back cowboy enjoying a cold drink. His rugged demeanor, which later became his trademark, was evident, but the commercial didn’t immediately skyrocket his career.
Jones was no stranger to the stage before taking on commercials; he had built his acting skills in theater. The Coca-Cola ad was just another way for him to practice and get noticed by a larger audience. Eventually, he would land major roles, proving that even a short commercial spot could help shape his acting future. His gravitas, even in a commercial, was the hint of greatness to come.
5. Nicole Kidman – LG Commercial
Before taking home Oscars for films like The Hours and Moulin Rouge!, Nicole Kidman made a splash in a commercial for LG electronics. In the ad, Kidman used the brand’s new phones, showing off their sleek design and advanced features. The commercial had a simple concept, but it showcased Kidman’s elegance and undeniable star quality. Even in a short ad, you could see her potential to become one of Hollywood’s top actresses.
Though it wasn’t a glamorous role, the ad did get her some attention and helped her stand out in a sea of other rising stars. At the time, Kidman was still trying to find her niche in the industry. The LG commercial wasn’t her big break, but it was one of the many moments that helped her grow into the powerhouse actress she is today.
6. Matthew McConaughey – Lincoln Commercials
Matthew McConaughey’s commercial work has taken on a life of its own. He’s now synonymous with Lincoln cars thanks to a series of highly memorable ads where he talks about life, luxury, and the open road. McConaughey’s deep voice and reflective manner make him the perfect spokesperson for the brand. Though the commercials are clearly about cars, they’ve become more about McConaughey’s quirky, philosophical monologues, creating an almost surreal vibe.
Before McConaughey became a major movie star, these commercials felt like a natural fit for his laid-back persona. What made them so iconic wasn’t just his star power but the way he delivered lines that made you think. The Lincoln commercials, much like McConaughey’s acting career, embrace individuality, and over time, they’ve become just as much a part of pop culture as his film roles.
7. Leonardo DiCaprio – Bubble Yum Commercial
Before he was the heartthrob of Titanic or the intense actor in Inception, Leonardo DiCaprio was a young actor who appeared in a Bubble Yum commercial. The 1990 ad was full of colorful fun, where DiCaprio was seen blowing bubbles with the famous chewy gum. He was barely a teenager at the time, and his bright smile and youthful energy made him the perfect fit for the commercial.
Although DiCaprio didn’t expect to become a major star from chewing gum on TV, it did provide him with early exposure. By the time he transitioned to more serious roles, people were already familiar with his face, making it easier for him to get auditions. It was just one of the small things that helped him on his way to becoming one of Hollywood’s most recognized names. The commercial feels almost like a snapshot of his pre-fame years.
8. Johnny Depp – Dior Sauvage
Johnny Depp may have started out in TV shows like 21 Jump Street, but his connection with commercials began later with his role as the face of Dior Sauvage. The campaign, which featured Depp walking through deserts and rocky landscapes, matched his rugged, mysterious persona perfectly. His acting skills were on full display as he embodied a character who was cool and composed, yet full of inner conflict.
For Depp, the Dior Sauvage commercials were about more than selling fragrance—they were about crafting a brand. His mystique was a perfect fit for the fragrance, and while he had already cemented his place in Hollywood, this new venture showcased his diverse talents. It was an opportunity to continue shaping how the public saw him, beyond acting.
9. Kate Upton – Carl’s Jr. Commercial
Before Kate Upton was the cover star of Sports Illustrated or the face of multiple fashion campaigns, she appeared in a widely talked-about Carl’s Jr. commercial. The ad featured Upton indulging in a giant burger while a car slowly drove by. The cheeky, somewhat controversial commercial highlighted her beauty, and her unapologetic confidence made her the perfect model for the brand.
Though Upton’s career quickly evolved into something much bigger, this commercial proved to be a key moment in her rise to fame. The commercial became viral, and her playful personality helped her land bigger modeling jobs. From there, Upton’s career in acting and fashion exploded. The ad may have been simple, but it made a huge impact on her trajectory.
10. Ryan Reynolds – American Eagle
Long before he became Deadpool, Ryan Reynolds was doing what most actors do to pay the bills: commercials. One of his early gigs was for American Eagle, where he appeared in a series of commercials promoting their casual clothing. The spots featured a young, charming Reynolds sporting casual wear and offering a dose of youthful energy to the brand.
While the ad didn’t propel him to fame immediately, it was part of the foundation of his career. Reynolds’ effortless cool and quick wit in the commercial hinted at the larger-than-life persona that would eventually make him a household name. This campaign was just one of the stepping stones that allowed him to build his brand and move onto bigger and better things.
11. Jessica Alba – Pizza Hut
Jessica Alba’s acting career didn’t take off in the blink of an eye, and one of her first gigs was a Pizza Hut commercial. The ad, which aired in the late ’90s, showed Alba serving pizza to her friends with a laid-back charm that made her instantly likable. While it wasn’t the role that made her famous, the commercial helped to establish her friendly, approachable image.
Alba’s Pizza Hut commercial was one of those classic “before they were stars” moments. It was only a few years later that she would land major roles in movies like Fantastic Four and Honey. Looking back at her early career, that simple Pizza Hut commercial is part of the journey that took her to Hollywood’s A-list.
12. Will Ferrell – Old Milwaukee Beer
Will Ferrell’s comedic genius was evident from the very start, and one of his early commercial appearances was for Old Milwaukee Beer. The commercial featured a hilarious, over-the-top Ferrell as the face of the beer brand, delivering his signature dry humor. The ad was perfectly in line with his comedic style, though it didn’t bring him instant fame.
Ferrell was still building his career at the time, but the Old Milwaukee commercial was a fun, memorable part of his early work. It’s no surprise that the commercial became a cult favorite. Ferrell’s zany personality and willingness to embrace the absurd helped him land roles that made him one of Hollywood’s funniest stars.