Artistic credibility be damned, sometimes you’ve got to get paid. That’s clearly what these celebrities were thinking when they took on these oddball endorsement deals.
I am not one to shame anyone for how to choose to make money,* but that doesn’t change the fact that some of these endorsements are a bit surreal.
OJ Simpson On The Run For Hertz
We could (and probably should) do a whole post on all the money-making schemes OJ Simpson engaged in over the years, but for today, let’s focus on his time as a “running” spokesman for Hertz rental cars.
This is only bizarre because of Simpson’s infamous run from the cops in his (owned, not rented) White Ford Bronco.
27 years ago today: The craziest day in sports history.
• World Cup kicks off in US
• NY Rangers championship parade
• Arnold Palmer plays his final US Open roundBut the night ended with OJ Simpson’s car chase interrupting Game 5 of the NBA Finals.pic.twitter.com/KnFi7YGN4Q
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) June 17, 2021
It is tough to explain to the younger kids that there was a time when OJ was more than a notorious murder suspect. He was probably the most beloved professional athlete turned actor in the United States at one time.
Related: Caitlyn Jenner Reveals Grim OJ Simpson Story
Harrison Ford Sells Japanese Beer
There was a time in the 80s and 90s when Hollywood’s elite would do commercials for brands in Japan. The reasoning was that money was good, and there was no such thing as the Internet, so it wasn’t like it would come back to haunt them. Well, then the Internet arrived.
Harrison Ford with Kirin Lager Beer 90’s #advertisement #kirin #ford #キリン pic.twitter.com/uHrAqXDfZ9
— baryilmz (@bar_yilz) February 23, 2022
There is a slew of bizarre Japanese ads done by Hollywood celebrities, but I want to focus on the ones Harrison Ford did for Kirin Beer. Stateside, Ford is known for being a press-shy non-nonsense grouch. In Japan, he’s pretty much the real-life Indiana Jones.
Since Indiana Jones is trending, here’s Harrison Ford enjoying a can of Kirin beer….#FridayFeeling pic.twitter.com/3j14pJSRvt
— REZtron ?️?? (@theREZtron) December 11, 2020
Related: Rumor: Indiana Jones Production To Halt For Three Months After Harrison Ford Injury
Jamie Lee Curtis For Yogurt
Jamie Lee Curtis, Papa Patterson’s first crush, is not one for the spotlight. But she is one for delicious and nutritious** yogurt.
At least she has a good sense of humor about it.
You are a grumpy goat. I sold activia yogurt for seven years. I wasn’t broke. https://t.co/Jl8qGdkNse
— Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) May 16, 2020
“I’ve been selling yogurt tht makes you sh#t for 6 yrs” ~Jamie Lee Curtis on why it’s her 1st to Comic-Con now. #SDCC pic.twitter.com/CUTlIaNxE0
— The Adam’s Corner (@TheAdamsCorner) July 12, 2015
If I hear anyone refer to Jamie Lee Curtis as the “yogurt lady,” there will be fisticuffs.
Happy #InternationalWomensDay from Jamie Lee Curtis and her cup of yogurt! pic.twitter.com/10VuKIomJJ
— Chad Opitz (@chadopitz) March 8, 2015
Related: Jamie Lee Curtis Says Plastic Surgery Made Her Feel Worse
Bob Dylan Bares None Of It For Victoria’s Secret
When I first read about Bob Dylan endorsing Victoria’s Secret, I figured they just used one of his songs in an ad. And they did, but the lingerie company also used the corporeal remains of the Nobel Prize winner himself.
Wow @AdrianaLima and @bobdylan for @VictoriasSecret is awesome pic.twitter.com/y7UCq1Ejq9
— ✯Cultural☭Bolshevik☯ (@versvalerie) June 14, 2019
Related: Watch Bob Dylan Pour, His Soul Into His Christian Song “Saved“
Hulk Hogan’s PastaMania Runs Mild
The story goes that Hulk Hogan was presented with two endorsement options: An at-home countertop grill or a string of quick-service pasta franchises. Hogan went with the pasta franchises, and PastaMania was born. The one location inside the Mall Of America lasted less than a year and cost Hogan a lot of money.
There is so much to unpack in this Pasta Mania menu, I don’t even know where to begin… pic.twitter.com/dQXV5PUfUq
— Discontinued Foods! (@Snack_Memories) April 26, 2022
Oh, and the at-home grill Hogan passed out? That became the George Forman Grill, and the pro boxer reportedly made $8 million a month off the venture.
Related: Hulk Hogan Breaks Silence On Divorce And New Girlfriend
What’s your favorite bizarre celebrity endorsement? Let us know in the comment section below.
*I write articles about wrestling and John Wayne, after all.
**The nutritiousness of Activia is highly disputed.