How Your Favorite Commercial Actors Landed Their Iconic Roles
By Movieguide® Contributor
We recognize their faces and see them frequently, but have you ever thought about the actors behind your favorite TV commercial characters? Although on screen for a moment, their message can be lasting and impactful.
Stephanie Courtney, known for her role as Flo, everyone’s favorite insurance agent with bright red lipstick, has now starred in over 215 ads for Progressive, greatly contributing to the company’s success.
“I was broke as a joke, I was auditioning, I was driving around L.A. auditioning for every commercial, every show,” she told CBS.
“I would have aspired to be a struggling actor,” Courtney joked, “and then I got the audition for Progressive.”
READ MORE: WHY COMMERCIALS ARE SO LOUD, AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO TURN THEM DOWN
The storylines built up around iconic commercial characters makes them a success for the brands they represent.
“Storytelling in commercials transcends mere product showcasing by engaging viewers emotionally, forging lasting connections, and enhancing brand recall,” explained ECG Productions. “Research supports this impact, revealing people are 22 times more likely to remember facts embedded in stories, ultimately driving consumer decisions.”
Courtney’s now spent 16 years as Flo but revealed that people often do not recognize her in real life because she looks so different from her character.
She isn’t the only star who has found success in commercials. Dean Winters, whose appeared in big name projects like JOHN WICK, might be best known for his Allstate commercials as the character “Mayhem,” a role which he is very thankful for.
“It’s a very fickle business and… you know, you can go six months, eight months without working, easily,” he told CBS. “You know, a lot of my friends struggling right now, and so like I’m very cognizant of how lucky I am. It’s become like the greatest thing that ever happened.”
Bill Cowen, PR program director at Villanova University, previously explained why characters like Flo leave such an impact.
“She gives us a break from the day-to-day news — and there’s not a lot of good news out there,” he said. “Anything that gives us a moment to make us laugh, make us smile…That really resonates.”
READ MORE: HOW ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA WORKS
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