Commercial Actors Who Earned Millions

Published

2 years ago

June 4, 2022

Money + Investing Staff

Commercial actors have a strong reputation in the industry, and are often in high demand for projects. They are able to command higher fees for their work and may have a long list of credits to their name. In addition to their success in commercials, a prosperous commercial actor may also have a successful career in other areas of the entertainment industry, such as television or film.

The highest earning commercial actors make significantly more than the average actor. Some estimates suggest that top commercial actors can earn over seven figure sums for a single commercial. In addition to their fees for acting in commercials, the richest commercial actors may also have other sources of income, such as endorsement deals or residual payments each time the commercial airs. Depending on their level of experience, their reputation and popularity, the success for these actors earned them millions.

Vanessa Lynn Branch – Orbit Gum

Vanessa Lynn Branch, who was born in England, began her career as a model and actress in the United States. She quickly rose to prominence as the face of Orbit Gum, starring in a series of popular television commercials in which she used her charming British accent to promote the brand. With her bright smile and memorable catchphrase, “Fabulous! For a good, clean feeling. No matter what!”, Branch became a well-known figure in the world of commercials. As a result of her successful career, she has amassed a net worth of $500,000.

Carly Foulkes – T-Mobile

Carly Foulkes, a young Canadian model, took over as spokeswoman for T-Mobile after Catherine Zeta-Jones. Foulkes began modeling at the age of 13 and has since worked with a number of well-known brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Express, Gilly Hicks, Kohls, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Rugby by Ralph Lauren, and Tommy Hilfiger. By the time she became the face of T-Mobile at age 22, Foulkes had already amassed a net worth of one million dollars. Now, she is worth an estimated three million dollars.

Peter Grosz – Sonic Drive-In

Peter Grosz is an actor and comedian who is best known for his work in the popular Sonic Drive-In commercials, in which he appeared alongside his friend and colleague T. J. Jagodowski. In addition to his work in commercials, Grosz has also had roles on popular television series such as Veep and Late Night with Stephen Colbert. His hard work and talent have helped him to build a successful career and an estimated net worth of $600,000.

Colin Ferguson – Maytag

Colin Ferguson is a Canadian-American actor, director, and producer who has achieved success in various areas of the entertainment industry. While he has appeared in numerous commercials, his work has also included roles in television and film, as well as behind-the-scenes positions as a director and producer. In 2014, Ferguson was offered the role of the Maytag Man in a new campaign for the appliance company, which helped to increase his net worth to an estimated $8 million.

T.J. Jagodowski – Sonic Drive-In

T. J. Jagodowski is a popular commercial actor who is well-known for his work in the long-running Sonic Drive-In commercials. One of the standout features of these commercials was the fact that they were largely improvised on the spot by the actors, with Jagodowski’s training in improv classes serving him well in this regard. In addition to his work in commercials, Jagodowski has also pursued a career in theater and television, building up a net worth of approximately $600,000 in the process.

Diane Amos – Pine-Sol

Diane Amos is an actress and stand-up comedian who is best known for her work as the face of the Pine-Sol commercials. In addition to her acting career, Amos has also appeared as a contestant on the popular game show The Wheel of Fortune. Her work in commercials and other areas of the entertainment industry have contributed to her net worth, which is estimated to be around $250,000. “That’s the power of Pine-Sol, baby!” has become a well-known catchphrase thanks to Amos’s memorable performance in the commercials.

Dean Winter – Allstate

Dean Winters is an actor who is known for his roles on television shows such as Oz and Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. In 2009, he suffered a serious bacterial infection that led to an accidental death experience. After he recovered, Winters was approached by Allstate insurance to be the face of their “Mayhem” campaign. This opportunity helped to increase his net worth to approximately $4 million.

Melanie Paxson – Red Robin

Melanie Paxson is a talented actress who has appeared in a range of television shows, movies, and commercials throughout her career. One of her most well-known commercial roles was as a hamburger-loving customer in the popular Red Robin advertisements. In addition to her work in commercials, Paxson has also had roles on a number of television shows, including Cupid, Happy Family, and Notes from the Underbelly. She has also appeared in the Disney Channel TV movie Descendants, which aired in 2015.

Isaiah Mustafa – Old Spice

Isaiah Mustafa is an actor and former football player who is best known for his role as the shirtless, stunt-performing spokesman in the popular Old Spice commercials. With his deep voice and impressive physique, Mustafa’s memorable performances in the “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” ads helped to make him a household name. His work in these commercials has contributed to his estimated net worth of $5 million. Prior to his acting career, Mustafa played as a wide receiver in football.

Dennis Haysbert – Allstate

Dennis Haysbert is a talented actor who is known for his commanding screen presence and his deep, powerful voice. While he has appeared in a number of television series, Haysbert is perhaps best known for his work as the voice of the Allstate Insurance Company, a role he has held since 2004. With his memorable catchphrase “That’s Allstate’s stand. Are you in good hands?”, Haysbert has helped to establish the company’s brand and has earned an estimated net worth of $14 million through this and other acting roles.

Beck Bennett – AT&T

Beck Bennett is an actor and comedian who gained fame through his appearances in the popular AT&T commercials in which he asked children questions while seated at a comically small table. These ads, which were part of the “It’s Not Complicated” series, became a hit and helped to launch Bennett’s career. After his success in the commercials, Bennett was offered a regular spot on the sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, where he has been a cast member since 2013. In addition to his work on SNL, Bennett has also founded his own sketch comedy group.

Tim Leigh Williams – Trivago

Tim Leigh Williams is a 53-year-old actor with a wealth of experience in both the United States and Germany. He has appeared in a number of films, including Valkyrie, Ninja Assassin, and Labyrinth of Lies, and has also starred in a number of television shows and German movies. In addition to his work in film and television, Williams is also known for his appearances in Trivago commercials, which have helped to increase his net worth to an estimated $5 million.

Vince Shlomi – ShamWow

Offer Shlomi, who changed his name to Vince Shlomi after moving to the United States from Israel, became well-known for his appearances in infomercials for the popular product ShamWow. These infomercials, which aired during late night and early morning hours, helped to generate profits for the companies selling the products and also helped to increase Shlomi’s net worth to an estimated $2 million. Despite the unusual scheduling of these infomercials, they were successful in persuading many viewers to make purchases.

Charles “Chip” Esten – Carl’s Jr.

Charles Esten, better known by his stage name Chip, is a well-known actor and comedian who has appeared on the popular improv show Whose Line Is It Anyway? and is known for his quick wit and improvisational skills. In addition to his work on the show, Esten has also portrayed the character of Carl Hardee Sr., a white-bearded man featured in commercials for the Carl’s Jr. fast-food restaurant chain. Through his various acting roles, Esten has been able to build a net worth of approximately $5 million.

Nichole Randall Johnson – DriveTime

Nicole Randall Johnson is a comedian and actress who is best known for her work on the sketch comedy series MADtv. She was hired for the cast in 2005 and quickly became a fan favorite, eventually being offered a position as a writer for the show’s eleventh season. In 2013, Johnson was recruited to appear in DriveTime commercials, which helped to increase her net worth to an estimated $700,000. In addition to her work on MADtv and in commercials, Johnson has also appeared in a number of other television shows and films.

Gillian Vigman – Jack in the Box

Gillian Vigman is a comedian and actress who is known for her work on the sketch comedy series MADtv and the popular sitcom New Girl. In addition to her roles on these shows, Vigman has also appeared in a number of commercials, with perhaps the most memorable being her role as “Jack’s Wife” in the Jack in the Box ads. Through her various acting roles and commercial appearances, Vigman has been able to build a net worth of approximately $500,000.

Hallie Eisenberg – Pepsi

Hallie Eisenberg is an actress who is perhaps best known for her role as the Pepsi Girl in a series of popular commercials. Despite her young age at the time, Eisenberg was able to deliver a memorable performance that helped to establish her as a recognizable face in the entertainment industry. While her acting career may not have lasted as long as that of her brother Jesse Eisenberg, Hallie has still been able to earn an estimated net worth of $1 million through her various acting roles.

Patrick Warburton – National

Patrick Warburton is a talented actor and comedian who has been entertaining audiences with his deep, distinctive voice and comedic timing for decades. He has appeared in a number of memorable television shows and films, including his notable role as Joe Swanson on Family Guy. In addition to his work in television and film, Warburton has also starred in a series of commercials for National Car Rental, which has helped to increase his net worth to an estimated $30 million.

Wendy Kaufman – Snapple

Wendy Kaufman is an actress who is best known for her work as the spokeswoman for the juice company Snapple. Kaufman was hired for this role in 1991 by one of the company’s founders, who happened to be a friend of hers. Through her appearances in Snapple commercials, Kaufman has become known as “the Snapple lady” and has been able to earn an estimated net worth of $500,000. Despite being better known for her work as a commercial actress, Kaufman has also appeared in a number of other television shows and films.

Maria Bamford – Target

Maria Bamford is a talented actress and comedian who has appeared in a number of animated series, including American Dad, Spongebob Squarepants, and Bojack Horseman. These shows have all become popular and well-respected in the world of animated comedy. In addition to her work on these series, Bamford has also taken on the role of the energetic Target Lady in a series of commercials for the retail chain. Through her various acting roles, Bamford has been able to build a net worth of approximately $300,000, with the potential for further growth in the future.

Angela Sarafyan – Cingular Wireless

Angela Sarafyan began her acting career as the Umbrella Girl in the well-known Cingular Wireless commercials, earning a yearly salary of $75,000 for her work. However, the exposure she gained from these commercials helped to propel her career to new heights, leading to roles on shows such as Judging Amy, Criminal Minds, and Westworld. Through her various acting jobs, Sarafyan has been able to build a net worth of approximately $6 million.

Demetri Goritsas – Slim Jim

Demetri Goritsas is an actor who has appeared in a number of blockbuster films, including The Bourne Identity and X-Men: First Class. However, Goritsas got his start in the acting industry in the 1990s as the Slim Jim Guy in commercials for the popular jerky snack. Despite his success in films, Goritsas has also made a significant amount of money through his work in commercials, earning an estimated $100,000.

Laurel Coppock – Toyota

Laurel Coppock is an actress with a successful career in film and television. Although she has appeared in numerous productions, she is perhaps best known for her role as Jan in Toyota commercials. Coppock has also made notable appearances in popular shows such as Arrested Development, Modern Family, and The Office. With an estimated net worth of $1 million, Coppock has achieved great success in her acting career.

Orlando Jones – 7-Up

Orlando Jones is an actor and comedian who rose to fame through his work on the sketch comedy series MADtv. He also served as the spokesperson for 7-Up between 1999 and 2002. Jones’s talent and hard work paid off, as he later became a screenwriter for the comedy A Different World and has an estimated net worth of $5 million. It seems that MADtv has a knack for discovering talented individuals who go on to achieve great success, and Jones is no exception.

Valerie Bertinelli – Jenny Craig

Valerie Bertinelli began her acting career at the age of 15 when she was cast as Barbara Cooper Royer on the TV series One Day at a Time. The show aired from 1975 to 1984, and Bertinelli used her success on the show to become the spokesperson for the Jenny Craig weight loss program. She was paid $1.55 million for her work on the commercials. Bertinelli’s acting career has spanned several decades and she has achieved great success in both television and advertising.

Brad Pitt – Chanel No. 5

Brad Pitt is a well-known and highly respected actor who has appeared in a number of successful films. While he is primarily known for his work in the film industry, he has also done some commercial work, including appearing in ads for Chanel perfume. The company paid Pitt a generous fee of $7 million for his work on the commercials. Despite his success in film, Pitt’s work in commercial advertising has also contributed to his fame and success.

Angelina Jolie – Louis Vuitton

Angelina Jolie is a talented actress and director who has appeared in a wide range of successful films. In addition to her work in the film industry, Jolie has also done some commercial work, including appearing in ads for Louis Vuitton. The company paid her a fee of $10 million for her work on the commercials. Jolie’s talent and fame have made her a highly sought after actress, both in film and in advertising. Like her former husband Brad Pitt, Jolie has achieved great success in the entertainment industry.

Catherine Zeta-Jones – T-Mobile

Catherine Zeta-Jones is an actress who has achieved great success in both film and television. Prior to appearing as the spokesperson for T-Mobile, she had already established herself as a well-known actress. However, her appearances in the commercials for the mobile phone company helped boost sales and earned her a fee of $20 million. It is clear that Zeta-Jones’s fame and talent have made her a valuable asset for companies looking to advertise their products.

Jay-Z – Samsung

Jay-Z is a highly successful and popular rapper who has achieved worldwide fame and success in the music industry. His concerts are highly sought after and often sell out quickly. With his fame comes many opportunities, including the chance to work with major companies. Jay-Z was offered $20 million by Samsung to promote their Galaxy phone, and the campaign was extremely successful. Jay-Z’s influence and appeal have made him a valuable asset for companies looking to advertise their products.

Beyoncé – Pepsi

Beyonce is a highly successful and beloved celebrity who has achieved tremendous success in the music industry. She is considered by many to be one of the most popular and talented artists of all time. With her widespread appeal and influence, it’s no wonder that companies are willing to pay top dollar for her to appear in their advertisements. In fact, Beyonce was offered $50 million to appear in Pepsi commercials, showcasing the value that companies place on her as a spokesperson.

50-Cent – Reebok

50-Cent is a highly successful rapper and actor who has achieved great fame and success in the entertainment industry. He is known for his music and acting careers, as well as for his endorsement deals. In fact, 50-Cent set a record when he was paid $80 million by Reebok to promote their G-Unit sneakers. The endorsement deal was extremely successful, and Reebok almost sold out during the winter sales. 50-Cent’s popularity and influence make him a valuable asset for companies looking to advertise their products.

Jake Wood – Geico

Jake Wood is a British actor who has appeared on television since the mid 1980s. He is best known for his role on the soap opera EastEnders, where he played Max Branning. Wood is also known for his work as the voice of the Geico Gecko in a series of popular commercials. He provided voice work for the animated lizard for over a decade, but left the role after refusing a pay cut. Wood’s work as the Geico Gecko earned him a fee of $3 million.

Paul Marcarelli – Verizon

Paul Marcarelli is an actor who is best known for his work as the spokesperson for Verizon, where he was known as the “Can You Hear Me Now? Guy” for his use of the memorable catchphrase in the company’s commercials. Marcarelli worked for Verizon for 10 years, during which time he made 40 commercials per year and earned a fee of $10 million for his work. Marcarelli’s memorable performances in the Verizon commercials have made him a well-known figure in the advertising industry.

Andrea Rosen – Various

Andrea Rosen is a talented comedian who has achieved great success in the entertainment industry. She is a member of the comedy troupe Stella and has appeared on various television shows. In addition to her work in comedy, Rosen has also done commercial work for companies such as Bing.com, Staples, Office Supplies, and Yoplait. Her advertising work, combined with her other career achievements, have contributed to her estimated net worth of $1.5 million.

J.K. Simmons – Farmers

J.K. Simmons is a highly respected actor who has appeared in a number of successful films, including Whiplash, Juno, La La Land, and the Spiderman films. Despite his success in the film industry, Simmons has also done some commercial work, including appearing in ads for M&M and Farmers Insurance Group. His talent and hard work have contributed to his estimated net worth of $16 million. It is clear that Simmons’s skills as an actor have made him a valuable asset for companies looking to advertise their products.

Milana Vayntrub – AT&T

Milana Vayntrub is an actress and comedian who originally came to the United States from Uzbekistan. She has appeared in a number of short films, web series, and TV shows, and is perhaps best known for her role as Lily Adams in the AT&T commercials. Vayntrub’s work on the ads has earned her a fee of $3 million. Her talent and hard work have contributed to her success in the entertainment industry.

Katherine Crown – DriveTime

Katherine Crown is a talented and enthusiastic actress who has achieved success in the entertainment industry. She has made a name for herself through her charming and funny performances, including her role as one of the DriveTime Girls in an advertising campaign. Crown’s work on the campaign earned her a fee of $1 million. Crown’s talent and hard work have contributed to her success in the industry.

Morgan Smith-Goodwin – Wendy’s

Morgan Smith-Goodwin is a talented actress and comedian who has achieved great success in the entertainment industry. She is known for her work on the HBO comedy series Veep, but is perhaps best known for her role as Red in the Wendy’s commercials. Smith-Goodwin’s talent and hard work have contributed to her estimated net worth of $3 million.

Stephanie Courtney – Progressive

Stephanie Courtney, better known as Flo from the Progressive commercials, is a well-known actress and comedian. Before becoming famous for her role in the Progressive ads, Courtney entertained audiences through stand-up comedy. She later moved to California and was cast as Flo, a role that has earned her a fee of $800,000 per year and a total of $5 million. Courtney’s talent and hard work have contributed to her success and fame in the entertainment industry.

John Goldsmith – Dos Equis

Jonathan Goldsmith is a seasoned actor who has been working in the entertainment industry since the 1960s. He began his career in New York as a theater actor before appearing in a large number of films and television shows. Goldsmith’s work paid off in an unexpected way when he became the “Most Interesting Man in the World” for Dos Equis beer. The role earned him a fee of $8 million and made him a highly meme-able figure in the world of advertising. Goldsmith’s talent and hard work have contributed to his success in the industry.

Jason Alexander – K.F.C.

Jason Alexander is an actor and comedian best known for his role as George Costanza on the popular TV series Seinfeld. In addition to his work in television and film, Alexander has also done some commercial work, including playing the role of the KFC colonel. In this role, Alexander portrayed the iconic character made famous by the fast food chain’s founder, Colonel Harland Sanders. Alexander’s performance as the KFC colonel helped to promote the company’s brand and contributed to his success in the entertainment industry.

John Gilchrist Jr. – Life

John Gilchrist Jr. is an actor and comedian who has appeared in a number of film and television projects. He is perhaps best known for his role as the protagonist in the Life commercial, in which he played a character who was given the opportunity to relive his life and make different choices. Gilchrist’s performance in the commercial was well-received and helped to promote the Life brand.

Charles Stone III – Budweiser

Charles Stone III is a filmmaker and commercial director who has achieved great success in the advertising industry. He is perhaps best known for his work with Budweiser, for which he has directed a number of highly popular commercials. The one everyone knows is the famous “wassuuuppp” bit from the Super Bowl. Stone’s work with Budweiser has helped to promote the brand and has contributed to his success as a commercial director.

Jake Stone – State Farm

Jake Stone is an actor and comedian who has appeared in a number of film and television projects. He is perhaps best known for his work as the spokesperson for State Farm Insurance, in which he played the character of Jake from State Farm. Stone’s performances in the State Farm commercials have helped to promote the brand and have contributed to his success as an actor and comedian.

John Hodgman & Justin Long – Apple

John Hodgman and Justin Long are actors who are best known for their work in the Apple commercials, in which they played the roles of a PC and a Mac, respectively. The commercials, which aired from 2006 to 2009, helped to promote the Apple brand and were highly popular with audiences. Hodgman and Long’s performances in the commercials helped to make them well-known in the entertainment industry and contributed to their success as actors.

Darrell Winfield – Marlboro

Darrell Winfield was an actor and model who is best known for his work as the Marlboro Man in a series of popular cigarette commercials. The Marlboro Man was a rugged, masculine character who was often depicted in rugged, outdoor settings. Winfield’s performances in the commercials helped to promote the Marlboro brand and made him a well-known figure in the advertising industry. His work as the Marlboro Man contributed to his success as an actor and model.

House Peters Jr. – Mr. Clean

House Peters Jr. was an actor who is best known for his work as Mr. Clean in a series of popular cleaning product commercials. Peters played the role of Mr. Clean, a muscular and clean-cut character who was known for his ability to quickly and effectively clean up messes. Peters’s performances in the Mr. Clean commercials helped to promote the brand and made him a well-known figure in the advertising industry. His work as Mr. Clean contributed to his success as an actor.

Nancy Walker – Bounty

Nancy Walker was an actress and comedian who is best known for her work as the spokesperson for Bounty paper towels. In the commercials, Walker played a character named Rosie the Waitress, who was known for her ability to clean up messes quickly and effectively with the help of Bounty paper towels. Walker’s performances in the Bounty commercials helped to promote the brand and made her a well-known figure in the advertising industry.

Aaron Takahashi – Various

Aaron Takahashi is an actor who’s played numerous supporting roles in various Hollywood films, but you probably recognize him from the many commercials he’s appeared in, including Esurance, UberEats, and more. He’s often picked due to his wittiness, which he’s proved valuable whether it was in film, television, or commercials. Since 2004, he’s appeared in over 50 nationally aired commercials.

Brandon Moynihan – Hotels.com

Brandon Moynihan, aka “Captain Obvious”, is best known for his role as the spokesperson for Hotels.com, in which he typically reminded anxious travelers that the website was the place for the best deals. His character is one of the more recent success stories for a newer company, in which numerous variations of the commercials skyrocketed his profile in the commercial acting industry.

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