Celebrities Who Are Spokespeople: Famous People in Television Commercials

If there is anything we can learn from the latest Geico television ads, its that real people need a little help from quasi-celebrities to sell products. While that ad campaign is in jest, the concept of the celebrity spokesperson goes way back.

The idea of a A or B-list celebrity endorsing a product has been studied by media ethics experts for years, and there are many conflicting opinions to whether this practice is indeed an honest way to advertise. Some of these ads have the celebrities giving testimonials, while others just become the face and voice of the product.

Regardless of advertising ethics, lets take a look at some famous product pushers, past and present who appeared in television commercials.

Jessica Simpson & ProActiv Solution

What a more perfect spokesperson for a product targeted to the coming of age condition called acne! Simpson bears all in these ad campaigns, showing pictures of her imperfect skin in before pictures and of course the rest of the modern-day media takes care of the after pictures. Simpson has been used in print, television, radio and infomercial ads for ProActiv for many years, perhaps showing she is a successful spokesperson, and customer.

William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy & Priceline.com

It would probably be better if William Shatner was the spokesman for a beaming company, but since that does not exist (yet), Priceline.com grabbed the former Star Trek captain to do it's commercials. In this ad campaign, Shatner saves the day for travelers looking for a bargain-sometimes with his mature sexual appeal. Fellow Trekkie Leonard Nimoy is also feature in ads for Priceline.com bearing his Vulcan sign language greeting, "Live long and prosper."

Wilfred Brimley & Quaker Oats, Liberty Medical

Wilfred Brimley became a household fixture in Our House. But, many people may know this gentle man for his role in promotion Quaker Oats in the 80s and 90s. "It's the right thing to do," he would say. Today, Brimely is a diabetic and also promotes diabetic products for Liberty Medical.

Catherine Zeta-Jones & T-Mobile

Zeta-Jones replaced Jamie Lee Curtis as the spokeswoman for wireless company T-Mobile. In fact, Zeta-Jones has been the longest-running celebrity associated with a wireless company.

Kelly Clarkson & Vitamin Water

The original American Idol Kelly Clarkson recently started appearing in wacky ads for Vitamin Water.

Jason Alexander & KFC

Best known for his role on Seinfeld as George Costanza, Jason Alexander became the spokesperson for KFC. (And perhaps for a longer run than his other castmates had in their spin-off series.)

Tommy LaSorda & Slim Fast

Before diet fads invaded the media, there was Slim Fast. In the early 90s baseball great Tommy LaSorda was best associated with pushing these diet shakes. Slim Fast and the diet industry has grown by drastic measures, but perhaps celebrities pushing the diet products became popular with LaSorda. Does this bring back memories? "Hi. I'm Tommy LaSorda...."

Kirstie Alley & Jenny Craig

Kirstite Alley has sure been making quite the living off of being a "Fat Actress." The former Cheers star went on to a few of her own television shows, most recently Fat Actress. Now, she's poking fun at her weightloss pushing Jenny Craig's diet plan.

Betty White & 1-800-Pet-Meds

Former Golden Girl Betty White is now doing commercials for 1-800-Pet-Meds. What many may not know is the White is an animal activist. At age 85, she actually films the commercials from her own home.

Alan Jackson & Ford Trucks

Country singer Alan Jackson has a song, "Crazy 'Bout a Mercury," but the song was changed up a bit and used in Ford Truck commercials. In the music industry, this role of pushing Ford Trucks does not stop at television commercials-but also with multi-media presentations before the concert.

George Strait & Chevy Trucks

Similar to Alan Jackson's role with Ford, country legend George Strait was the spokesperson for Chevy Truck advertising geared toward the country fan demographic. This included tour sponsorships and print ad campaigns.

Garth Brooks & Dr. Pepper

Dr. Pepper is popular in the south, and so is country music. So, a few years back Garth Brooks starring in the Dr. Pepper commercials went over well. Not to mention, the song featured in the commercials, "Wrapped Up in You" was a smash hit. Otherwise semi-retired from music, this commercial allowed fans to hear some fresh music from Garth Brooks.

And in a reverse listing, here is a list of some popular companies that have had several famous spokespeople over the years:

GAP

Dwight Yokum, Joss Stone, Missy Elliot, Madonna and about 300 other celebrities have appeared in commercials from GAP clothing.

Coca-Cola

David Arquette and Courtney Cox-Arquette, Bill Cosby, Paula Abdul, New Kids on the Block, Aretha Franklin, Bill Gates, Roy Orbison and more

Pepsi

Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Shakira, Madonna, Faith Hill, Ray Charles, Bob Dole, Michael J. Fox, Shaquille O'Neal and more.