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Stardom is not an easy thing to achieve. While it may seem like an actor can go from unknown to celebrity overnight, it usually takes years of accepting smaller jobs before cracking into the coveted roles. Television commercials are a common way for budding thespians to cut their teeth, often giving people their first paid acting gig. Today we’re looking back at five video game commercials starring celebrities before they made it big!
Tobey Maguire – Atari Lynx (1990)
Along with his iconic role as Spider-Man in the Sam Raimi trilogy, Tobey Maguire has appeared in films such as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, The Great Gatsby, and Pleasantville. Long before any of that, he portayed a student in a 1990 commercial eager for a bathroom break. Turns out, he just wanted to sneak in a few rounds of California Games on his Atari Lynx. We’re onto you, Tobey!
Ethan Suplee – Sega Game Gear (1994)
Known for his later roles in Boy Meets World, Mallrats, and American History X, actor Ethan Suplee appeared in a 1994 ad for the Sega Game Gear. In the typical 90s spirit of off-the-wall humor, the commercial features a young Suplee sitting outside playing the rival Nintendo Game Boy. Disappointed with its monochrome output, he decides to knock himself into a daze with a dead squirrel in order to give the game colored visuals, which conveniently the Game Gear offers (no squirrel required).
Jack Black – Pitfall (1982)
One of the most well known comedic actors/musicians of our time, Jack Black has become an instantly recognizable face for his roles in School of Rock, Nacho Libre, and Saving Silverman as well as making up one half of the musical duo, Tenacious D. However, eighteen years before his breakout role in 2000’s High Fidelity, Black could be seen as a thirteen year-old kid raving about his experience playing the Activision classic Pitfall on the Atari 2600. You can already see the enthusiasm he later became famous for.
James Avery – Cabal (1988)
The late James Avery portrayed the strict but beloved Uncle Phil on television’s Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He also had the ability to deliver a commanding and ominous voice, helping him secure a part as the voice of of Master Shredder on the iconic 1987 animated series, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Just as he was settling into his role as the heroes’ arch nemesis, he took a moment to provide voice-over work for this commercial promoting the 1988 NES port of the arcade game, Cabal. It serves as a great example of the powerfully dark voice he was able to conjure on command.
Paul Rudd – Super Nintendo Entertainment System (1991)
Before starring as the titular role in Ant-Man, slappin’ da’ bass in Role Models, or even playing the bashful love interest in Clueless, Paul Rudd played an enthusiastic young gamer, twitching with excitement in front of a giant screen as he immersed himself in the new Super Nintendo Entertainment System. This 1991 commercial received heavy airplay, part of Nintendo’s big push into the 16-bit generation. Viewers didn’t know it at the time, but they were looking at a star in the making.
