“Hollywood Stars in Unforgettable International Ads”
Over the years, a series of renowned celebrities have taken part in somewhat cringe-worthy and peculiar international advertisements early in their careers.
From Leonardo DiCaprio to George Clooney and Britney Spears, these famous personalities ventured into ad campaigns around the world as they made their initial forays into the entertainment industry.
Many embarked on these advertising ventures to supplement their income and gain additional exposure.
“Leonardo DiCaprio’s Orico Card Adventure”
In 1998, a young Leonardo DiCaprio, who was on the cusp of becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, appeared in a commercial for the Japanese credit card company Orico.
Amid his rise to fame with movies like “Romeo + Juliet,” “Titanic,” and “The Beach” in the ’90s, he ventured into the world of advertising.
The ad featured DiCaprio saving the day in an action-packed sequence, paying for the mayhem with his Orico card, and uttering the catchphrase, “Orico card ok?”
“Britney Spears and Suki Candy”
In 1999, pop sensation Britney Spears, fresh off the release of her hit “Baby One More Time,” starred in a Japanese commercial for Suki Candy.
Her immense popularity led to various brand collaborations, and UHA Mikakuto chose her as the face of their gummy candy.
The ad depicted Britney and her team dashing between arena concerts and brand jobs on a CGI private jet.
“Madonna’s Shochu Commercial”
In 1995, pop icon Madonna appeared in a Japanese television commercial for Takara, a shochu (Japanese sake) manufacturer.
The advertisement featured Madonna as she approached a golden dragon and, to the tune of her original music, cut away a magical golden orb from the dragon’s mouth.
This orb transformed into a glass of Jun Legend sake on ice, with Madonna proclaiming, “I’m pure. Jun Legend.”
“Ben Stiller and Kirin Fruit Beer”
In 2013, actor Ben Stiller found himself in a quirky Japanese advert for Kirin Fruit Beer. The ad depicted Stiller bursting through Kirin cheerleaders’ pom-poms to introduce the beverage to Japan. Interestingly, Stiller’s voice was dubbed instead of using his own.
“Julia Roberts and Lavazza Coffee”
In 2010, Julia Roberts portrayed Venus in an Italian commercial for Lavazza coffee.
The ad showcased a cup of Lavazza coffee bringing a smile to her face, allowing a painter to complete his masterpiece.
The advertisement featured Roberts alongside famous Italian entertainers Paolo Bonolis and Luca Laurenti.
“Nicolas Cage and Sankyo Pachinko”
In 2006, Nicolas Cage starred in a Japanese advertisement for Sankyo Pachinko, a company known for manufacturing pinball machines.
The ads featured Cage’s enthusiasm for pachinko, even comparing an earring to a pachinko ball.
“Lady Gaga and F1 Rocks”
In 2009, Lady Gaga featured in an advertisement for F1 Rocks, a concert in Singapore.
She wore a striking newspaper-print outfit and delivered a deadpan voiceover, aligning Singapore’s uniqueness with her own.
“George Clooney and DnB”
In 2011, George Clooney appeared in a campaign for Norwegian bank DnB.
The advertisement humorously depicted a woman waking up to discover she had married George the night before, emphasizing the importance of saving money.
“Chuck Norris and T-Mobile Czech Republic”
In 2010, martial arts legend Chuck Norris was part of a series of advertisements for T-Mobile’s Czech Republic Christmas campaign.
These ads portrayed Chuck Norris in an unexpected family setting during Christmas.
“Daniel Day-Lewis and Kanebo Men’s Cosmetics”
In 1991, Daniel Day-Lewis featured in a Japanese commercial for Kanebo Men’s Cosmetics, a leading producer of high-quality skincare, makeup, and hair care products in Japan.
This talented actor, known for his exceptional roles, took part in this early ad campaign.