15 Celebrities You Forgot Were in Iconic 90s Commercials

Share this post on:

Brad Pitt – Pringles (1989)

Picture this: a young Brad Pitt with flowing hair, playing a surfer dude whose car breaks down on a beach road. This was before he became Hollywood’s golden boy, before the red carpets and the Oscar wins. In this Pringles commercial, he’s just another guy whose day gets saved by a group of girls with a canister of stackable chips. The whole thing has that wonderfully cheesy ’90s vibe that makes you cringe and smile at the same time. You can almost hear the casting director thinking, “This kid’s got something special.” Little did they know they were watching a future A-lister sell potato chips with the same charm he’d later bring to Fight Club.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt – Pop-Tarts (1991)

Long before he was spinning dreams in Inception, Joseph Gordon-Levitt was the sweetest kid on television, making sure his dad didn’t skip the most important meal of the day. This Pop-Tarts commercial shows him as this adorable little boy with that infectious smile, practically glowing with wholesome energy. He’s got this natural charm that makes you believe he genuinely cares about his father’s breakfast choices. The commercial feels like a warm hug from the ’90s, all soft lighting and family values. It’s amazing how even as a child, you could see the charisma that would later make him a standout on 3rd Rock from the Sun. This wasn’t just selling breakfast pastries; it was showcasing a future star’s ability to make any moment feel genuine.

Sofía Vergara – Pepsi (1990)

At just 17 years old, Sofía Vergara was already turning heads in a Pepsi commercial that aired across Latin America. This was decades before she became Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on Modern Family, but her magnetic presence was already undeniable. The commercial shows her with that same vivacious energy that would later make her one of television’s highest-paid actresses. What’s fascinating is how this early connection to Pepsi would come full circle years later when she became an official spokesperson for the brand. Even as a teenager, she had this natural ability to light up the screen, making you believe that whatever she was selling was worth buying. It’s like watching a preview of greatness, wrapped in a fizzy soft drink commercial.

Aaron Paul – Corn Pops (1999)

Before Aaron Paul was cooking meth in a desert RV, he was freaking out about running out of Corn Pops cereal. The commercial shows him in full panic mode, displaying that same intense energy that would later make Jesse Pinkman such a memorable character. His performance is so over-the-top that it’s impossible not to laugh, but there’s something genuine about his commitment to the bit. He also appeared in a 1-800-Collect commercial alongside Mr. T, where his high-energy delivery was already hinting at his dramatic range. These ads are like time capsules of raw talent, showing an actor who could sell anything with pure conviction. You can see the same passionate intensity that would later earn him multiple Emmy awards, just channeled into breakfast cereal instead of criminal enterprises.

Mila Kunis – Barbie (1993)

Picture a 13-year-old Mila Kunis, fresh from her stint on The Mickey Mouse Club, playing with a Glitter Hair Barbie like it’s the most amazing thing in the world. This commercial captures that pure ’90s kid energy, all bright colors and unbridled enthusiasm. She also starred in a Lisa Frank commercial, which basically made her the unofficial queen of ’90s girl culture. These ads are like watching a time machine in action, showing us the future Jackie Burkhart from That ’70s Show in her natural element. Her performances feel so authentic because she genuinely was living that ’90s childhood dream, surrounded by all the toys and trends that defined the decade. It’s almost surreal to see someone who would later voice Meg Griffin on Family Guy being so genuinely excited about hair accessories and school supplies.

Paul Rudd – Super Nintendo (1991)

Paul Rudd’s Nintendo commercial is pure ’90s magic, showing him hooking up his Super Nintendo to a massive drive-in theater screen to play The Legend of Zelda. He’s wearing this ridiculous trench coat and grinning like he’s just discovered the secret to happiness. The whole thing is so wonderfully absurd that it perfectly captures the era’s gaming enthusiasm. His infectious energy makes you believe that connecting a video game console to a movie screen is the coolest thing anyone could ever do. This was before Clueless made him a heartthrob, before he became Ant-Man, but his charm was already fully formed. The commercial feels like a love letter to gaming culture, delivered by someone who genuinely gets why people lose hours to these digital worlds.

Elijah Wood – Wavy Lay’s (1994)

Years before carrying the One Ring to Mordor, Elijah Wood was a mischievous little camper who knew exactly how to work the system. In this Wavy Lay’s commercial, he tricks his camp counselor into doing all the work while he sits back and enjoys his chips. His boyish charm is on full display, that same innocent face that would later make Frodo so sympathetic. He also appeared in a Pizza Hut commercial, showing his early versatility as a young actor. These ads capture that classic ’90s kids-are-smarter-than-adults theme, but Wood sells it with such natural charisma that you can’t help but root for him. It’s fascinating to see the future Lord of the Rings star perfecting his craft by selling snack foods, displaying the same earnest quality that would make him a perfect hobbit.

Amy Adams – Grease Parody Bank Ad (1997)

Long before she was enchanting audiences as Princess Giselle, Amy Adams was starring in a local bank commercial that parodied Grease to promote free checking accounts. The ad shows her channeling Sandy Olsson’s energy, singing about financial services with the same bubbly enthusiasm she’d later bring to Disney musicals. Her performance is so genuinely charming that it makes banking seem fun, which is no small feat. This commercial is like a crystal ball into her future, showing the musical theater background that would later earn her multiple Oscar nominations. She brings such authentic joy to the role that you almost forget she’s trying to sell you on opening a savings account. It’s remarkable how even in a silly local ad, her star quality shines through like a beacon of pure talent.

Britney Spears – Maull’s Barbecue Sauce (1993)

Fresh off The Mickey Mouse Club, a young Britney Spears brought her infectious energy to a Maull’s Barbecue Sauce commercial, excitedly chowing down on a burger like it’s the best thing she’s ever tasted. This was before the pop princess phenomenon, before the world knew her name, but her star quality was already blazing bright. Her performance feels so genuine and enthusiastic that you can’t help but smile watching her. The commercial captures that classic ’90s advertising style, but Britney’s natural charisma elevates it beyond typical fast-food marketing. She brings the same energy that would later make her a global superstar, just focused on barbecue sauce instead of pop music. It’s like watching lightning in a bottle, a future icon discovering her power to make anything seem exciting.

Tobey Maguire – Atari Lynx (1990)

Before he was swinging through New York as Spider-Man, 15-year-old Tobey Maguire was sneaking into school bathrooms to play his Atari Lynx. The commercial perfectly captures that ’90s gaming obsession, showing him as this dedicated gamer who can’t put down his handheld console. His nerdy charm is on full display, embodying every kid who ever lost track of time playing video games. The ad feels authentic because Maguire genuinely looks like someone who would risk detention just to beat the next level. His performance hints at the same earnest quality that would later make Peter Parker so relatable. It’s amazing how this commercial captures the exact spirit of ’90s gaming culture, delivered by someone who would later become one of the most beloved superheroes in cinema history.

Courteney Cox – Tampax (1985)

After her iconic appearance in Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” video, Courteney Cox took on a very different kind of commercial challenge. This Tampax ad, which carried over into the early ’90s, showed her discussing feminine hygiene with the same poise she’d later bring to Monica Geller. The commercial was surprisingly progressive for its time, addressing women’s health issues directly rather than dancing around the subject. Cox delivers her lines with such natural confidence that she makes an inherently awkward topic feel comfortable and normal. Her performance hints at the same relatable quality that would make Friends such a cultural phenomenon. It’s fascinating to see her mastering the art of making viewers feel at ease, a skill that would serve her well in both comedy and drama throughout her career.

Tia and Tamera Mowry – Doublemint Gum (1990s)

Before they were the beloved twins of Sister, Sister, Tia and Tamera Mowry were the perfect embodiment of Wrigley’s Doublemint Gum campaign. The commercial plays on their natural twin chemistry, showing them sharing gum with the same joyful energy that would later make their sitcom so endearing. Their synchronized movements and infectious laughter capture that pure ’90s optimism that made the decade so memorable. The ad feels like a celebration of sisterhood, delivered by two young women who genuinely seem to enjoy each other’s company. Their natural charisma shines through every frame, making you believe that chewing gum could actually double your fun. It’s remarkable how this simple commercial concept became a launching pad for two actresses who would go on to become ’90s television icons.

Ryan Reynolds – Push Pop (1990s)

Years before he was cracking wise as Deadpool, Ryan Reynolds was getting “Hip to the Pop” in a Push Pop candy commercial that epitomized ’90s marketing excess. The ad shows him with a hip-hop style that’s so wonderfully dated it’s almost artistic. His playful delivery of the jingle makes you believe he’s genuinely excited about lollipop innovation, which is harder to pull off than it sounds. The commercial has that classic ’90s energy where everything had to be “extreme” or “radical,” but Reynolds sells it with such natural charisma that it never feels forced. His performance hints at the same quick wit and charm that would later make him a leading man. It’s hilarious to see the future Deadpool getting genuinely hyped about candy, displaying the same irreverent energy that would define his career.

Rashida Jones – Gap (1990s)

Before she was the perfectly deadpan Ann Perkins on Parks and Recreation, Rashida Jones was one of the cool kids in Gap’s moody ’90s commercials. These ads featured models singing melancholic covers of classic pop songs, and Jones fit right in with her understated coolness. Her performance captures that specific ’90s aesthetic where being effortlessly cool was the ultimate goal. The commercial showcases her natural ability to look comfortable in front of the camera, a quality that would serve her well in both comedy and drama. Her presence in these ads hints at the same intelligent charm that would later make her such a beloved television personality. It’s fascinating to see her perfecting that casual confidence that would become her trademark, all while selling khakis and button-down shirts.

Vincent Kartheiser – Local Minnesota Ad (1990s)

Long before he was the insufferable Pete Campbell on Mad Men, Vincent Kartheiser was playing a snotty teenager in a local Minnesota commercial that feels like a perfect preview of his future career. His attitude-filled performance shows him as this bratty kid who thinks he knows everything, delivered with the same smug confidence he’d later bring to Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. The commercial is wonderfully awkward in that way that only local advertising can be, but Kartheiser’s natural dramatic flair elevates it beyond typical regional marketing. His performance hints at his ability to make unlikeable characters compelling, a skill that would serve him well in prestige television. It’s almost poetic that someone who would later work in the advertising world of the 1960s got his start in a ’90s commercial, showing that some careers come full circle in the most unexpected ways.

The Legacy of ’90s Commercial Stardom

These commercials represent more than just nostalgic curiosities; they’re time capsules of an era when television advertising was at its creative peak. The ’90s gave us jingles that stuck in our heads for decades and characters that became part of our cultural vocabulary. What makes these celebrity appearances so fascinating is how they capture these future stars in their rawest form, before media training and carefully crafted public personas. You can see the seeds of greatness in every performance, whether it’s Brad Pitt’s natural charisma or Aaron Paul’s intense energy. These ads didn’t just sell products; they inadvertently documented the early careers of some of Hollywood’s biggest names. Looking back, it’s remarkable how many of these commercials predicted the exact qualities that would make these actors famous. Did you expect to see so many future A-listers hawking everything from cereal to video games?

Share this post on: