28 Slightly Embarrassing Celebrity Endorsements from the Good Old Days

Author image for John Summers
John Summers • Contributor
Nov 5, 2025 11:00 PM EST

Once upon a time, celebrity endorsements were pure chaos. Before brand deals were crafted by PR teams and "authentic partnerships" meant a caption written by five marketing interns, stars were out here promoting literally anything.

These 28 vintage ads are proof that the rules didn't exist. We've got boxing legends selling roach traps (Muhammad Ali, never forget), jazz icons pushing Alka-Seltzer for "holiday relief," sitcom royalty convincing you cigarettes are good for your throat, and a certain fast-running football star telling you to rent from Hertz. It's a time capsule of marketing gone gloriously rogue.

There's something magical about how unfiltered it all was. No irony, no subtlety - just pure enthusiasm. "You'll love this bug trap! My face is on the box!" was an actual campaign. Celebrities looked straight into the camera with total confidence, unaware that decades later we'd be looking back, equal parts nostalgic and horrified.

But that's the charm of it. It was the golden age of sincerity, when fame met commerce and common sense took a vacation. Scroll through and enjoy the weird, wonderful world of celebrity endorsements before the age of influencers - when selling out was still an art form.

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  • 01

    Doris Day for International Harvester.

    INTERNATIONAL De Luxe SERIES 56 ROLLER-COMPACTOR WARNER BROS DENNIS MORGAN DORIS DAY JACK CARSON It's a Great Feeling TECHNICOLOR DRECTED BY DAY INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL PRESENTS SERIES 56- THE ONLY ROAD ROLLER ENDORSED BY When Doris Day seeds road rolling equipment, you can bet she's going years-International Harvester The International Harvester Series 56 Diesel Road Roller is exactly what Doris is looking for. Easy to control, easy to main- tain and with a lower operating so than mast dies
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 02

    Sammy Davis Jr. for Alka Seltzer.

    Deck the halls with plop plop, fizz fizz, falalalala lalala......Ahhh! There are lots of ways Yuletide pleasures lead to holiday headaches and upset stomachs. Sometimes the turkey does it to you. Sometimes the turkey and the holiday parties do it to you. And sometimes you just do it to yourself. With the turkey, the trimmings, the eggnog and more eggnog. And before you know it, seasonal stuffing leads to seasonal suffering But with our little Yuletide treasure, you'll be ready. Alka-Seltzer spee
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 03

    Ronald Reagan for Chesterfield cigarettes

    I'M SENDING CHESTERFIELDS to all my friends. That's the merriest Christmas any smoker can have- Chesterfield mildness plus no unpleasant after-taste Ronald Reagan see RONALD REAGAN starring in "HONG KONG Pine Themes Peremount Production Color by Technical elds-be Co erfields-f Merfields-Cit Chesterfields-fr Chesterfield CIGARETTES CHESTERFIELD CHEERFIELD Chesterfields O CHEST CUL 88 CHESTERFIELD Buy the beautiful CHESTERFIELD Christmas-card carton
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 04

    Groucho Marx for Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes.

    UDC Ο TONY THE TIGER SAYS: "You bet your life they're Gr-r-reat!" No wonder Groucho's speechless. What if a tiger stole your microphone and your favorite line. But that's Tony for you. And he's all for you when he tells you to try these big, crackly flakes of corn. Because they're the ones with the secret Kellogg's sugar coating all over. Gr-r-reat? You bet your life. Kellogg's SUGAR FROSTED FLAKES SUCAR FROSTED FLAKES
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 05

    Cigarette trading cards featuring Walt Disney and Micky Mouse as well as silent film star Buster Keaton.

    Wille's Cigarettes Willi's Cigarettes Wills's Cigarettes Bill's Cigarettes ille's Cigarettes ille's Cigaret 2011 Will's Cigarettes
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 06

    Humphrey Bogart for Whitman’s Sampler.

    ESPECIALLY IN SUMMER- "Here's how I Remember! Why don't YOU?" 46mphen Bryans HUMPHREY BOGART urring in "THE CAINE MUTINY Stanley Kramer Production Columbia Technicolor Picture Whitman's Sampler CHOLATES & CONFECTIONS "When You Can't Find Words... Find a Sampler!" says Bogart - BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES "THANK YOU TO HOSTESS BON VOYAGE "GET WELL GIFT FRIEND IN HOSPITAL BRIDGE PARTY HOME-COMING WEEK END "Me... I'm a man of action, not words. When you feel a thing feel it. Don't talk it. Don't try to
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 07

    Lucille Ball for Phillip Morris.

    Now Millions Know! ONE KING SIZE tops 'em all for TASTE and COMFORT! Your throat can tell it's PHILIP MORRIS PHILIP MORRIS KING SIZE PECIAL BED MORREN KING-SIZE No matter what brand you're now smoking... there's greater pleasure waiting for you in the new PHILIP MORRIS King-Size. Millions of smokers who tried them are buying them over and over again! Once you try them, you will, too, Because your throat can tell that here, at last, is a cigarette not only good to smoke...but good to the smoker..
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 08

    Woody Allen for Smirnoff Vodka.

    COME OUT OF YOUR SHELL...TRY SMIRNOFF Euriping the Sol drinks, Why you? Smirall Screwdrivers with orange Slikals Mary-without puce, Sul Mules made with 7-Up. The divest Martinis The drink the khaly Sard, filtered though 11,000 pads of actin and cumal. makes my drinks well where the sun and the Saill shine. It's a delicious world! Always ask for Smirnoff VODKA It leaves you breathless
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 09

    Jerry Lewis for Kentucky Fried Chicken.

    Fried cken So Tender So Tasty "The Big Mouth" loves Kentucky Fried Chicken. Take it from the Colonel Because it's tender and tasty and "finger lickin good. Because it's seasoned with Colonel Sanders' se cret recipe of 11 spices and herbs... and cooked accord- ing to his patented process. Jerry Lewis and the Colonel are in a new comedy, "The Big Mouth," released by Columbia Pictures. And during the shooting, they en joyed lots of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Jerry says it's like We fix Sunday dinner h
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 10

    Carol Burnett for Blackgama Mink.

    What becomes a Legend most? Blackglama BLACKOLAMAR IS THE WORLD'S FINEST NATURAL DARK RANCH MINK BRED CALY IN AMERICA BY THE GREAT LAKES MNK MEN AVALANCE AT MAXIMILIAN
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 11

    Boris Karloff for Northern Pacific Railway.

    BORIS KARLOFF appearing in Cell B. DeM'S "UNCONQUERED," PARAMOUNT PICTURE IN TECHNICOLOR Where is my carload of arsenic? Arsenic, Mr. Karlott? Could you be referring to NP 75013-MFST 221 that passed through SPKNE at 2:12 yesterday morning? It should arrive tomorrow afternoon-and as long as it's on the Northern Pacific, we can tell you its approximate location at any time. Magic, Mr. Karloff? No, it's NP's famous "Passing Report" Service that thousands of shippers count on for fast, accurate repo
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 12

    Sonny and Cher for the Bible.

    Sonny and Cher, Kape Look who reads the Bible. The people who make music today read the Bible. It's that kind of book. It can make things work for you. Read the Bible. Find out where all the music's coming from. And if you don't have a Bible of your own, we'll send you one for only a dollar. Hard cover and everything. Just one should do it. The Bible lasts a long time. Good 31st National Bible Weck, November 21-28, 1971. An Interfaith effort PO Box 1170
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 13

    Roy Rogers for the Pennsylvania Railroad

    VIPPEE! ROY ROGERS heads West via the Pennsylvania Railroad! "Rough rids" is fen on the age-or the movie sys Roy Rogers, "King of the Cowboys Box when at comes to travel, I pick a snoodle every s That's why MY travel perder is the Pa RAGOAD. When I step aboard a Peso all hands have taken every measure to ease and i enjoy smooch elemic power way I know use say cida VANTA SIESTA TIME... "What all way be let one bock world impecved Peasy readied." BEDDIN DOWN... FIESTA TIME... "The dew is always fo
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 14

    Opera soprano Patricia Munsel recommending Camels Cigarettes

    CHOICE QUALITY CAMEL THE SATURDAY EVENING POST Why did you change to Camels, Patrice Munsel? As an opera singer I must think of my voice and throat. My cigarette must be mild... "By smoking only Camels for 30 days, I found Camels suit my throat and taste grand!" PATRICE MUNSEL, Maple Opera SMOKE ONLY CAMELS FOR 30 DAYS...SEE FOR YOURSELF HOW WELL Camels agree with your throat! IT MAKES SENSE to see how well a cigarette suits your throat, pack after pack. So, for 30 straight days, test the cigare
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 15

    Mrs. America 1955 Wanda Jennings for Greyhound

    Mrs. America goes Greyhound! Greyhound Scenicruiser A great new fleet, designed and built for Greybound alone! Two observation level big picture windows, complete washroom, and the famous Air Suspension principle- offering world's smoothest highway ide "It's a thrilling travel experience to ride either of these wonderful coaches!" says cherming Wanda Jennings, of St. Louis, Missouri, recently chosen "Mrs. America for 1953. Greyhound Highway Traveler" Many hundreds of these fine new coaches now i
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 16

    O.J. Simpson for Hertz

    "On business trips these days, you've got to make every minute, every dollar count! That's why you need Hertz more than ever." OJ Simpson You can depend on Hertz Hertz has more good people to take care of you, so you can get Hertz away fast into a clean, reliable car. More locations. More cars. More kinds of cars. And with Super Saver Rates, you save money, too. With all this, wouldn't you rather rent from Hertz? The Superstar in rent-a-car. HERTZ PENTS FORDS AND OTHER FINE CARS
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 17

    Bill Gates for Radio Shack

    "Designing a revolutionary concept in software demanded a computer with extraordinary performance. The Tandy 2000 delivered." -Bill Gates Bill Gates has been at the leading edge of personal computing from the very beginning. His company is a leading producer of microcomputer software. "Our newest software product, MS-Windows, is an integrated windowing environment. It will let personal computer users combine individual programs into a powerful, integrated system. "When we set out to design MS-Wi
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 18

    Michael Jackson for this children’s record player made by Ertl

    Michael Jackson Michael Jackson and Rainbow Brite: Gifts to keep children singing. As long as there are songs to sing and nursery rhymes and ABCs to recite, children five and older will be enjoying their Vanity Fair phonographs. And you can give them their favorite this Christmas-with superstar Michael Jackson or Rainbow Brite** and her magical flying horse, Starlite Be assured you're giving the best quality children's phonograph. Vanity Fair builds them to handle a child's enthusiasm and to pla
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 19

    Moe from the Three Stooges and Albert Einstein for Nikon

    Nikon introduces the perfect camera for both. Nikon WIN Nikon
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 20

    Michael Jordan for Ball Park Hotdogs

    BALL PARK FRANKS. THE HOT DOGS HOT DOGS LOVE. ball. park 54500 30558 23 SAVE 23¢ on any package in the Ball Park lineup. 54500 30558 L MANUFACTURER'S COUPON EXPIRES JULY 31, 1993
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 21

    Muhammad Ali for d-con roach traps

    d-CON ROACH TRAPS KILL ROACHES WITHOUT POISON. Use them where you don't want to spray... like around food and dishes. I think they're beautiful. 'Specially since my picture's on the box. Muhammel Ali d-CON ROACH TRAPS 371 Kill roaches without poison d-CON POWER
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 22

    Fabio can't believe it's not butter

    Kan't Believe It's Not Butter! Butter More Butter Taste! No Cholesterol
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 23

    Lucille Ball for Roma wine

    Lucille Ball agrees ROMA WINE AND SODA Pour half a tall glass of ROMA California Burgundy over 3 or 4 ice cubes. Fill with sparkling water...stir slightly...and sip your way through the cool- est summer you ever enjoyed! (For favor variety, try this cooler made with ROMA Cali fornia Sterne or Clares) LOVELY Lucille Ball, Hollywood star, knows how e-a-s-y it is to keep cool with ROMA Wine Coolers. So refreshing, so light, so right for every summer occasion, ROMA Coolers taste better. They're made
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 24

    Don Knotts for Chicago Lumber Co.

    OUR OWN DON'S SPECIALS WRIGHT SCREEN/STORM DOOR CLOSER OR LATCH Pneumatic closer for wood or metal screen storm combination or light interior doors Latch is for outswinging wood or metal doors 1 to 1" thick ICloser- 8396-133 Latch- 8394.7081 YOUR CHOICE $2.77 WASHERLESS FAUCET Fits all types of kitchen sinks Easy to install No washers to replace (6087/497, wo/spray) (6087-505 w/spray) REG $25.95 $14.95 W/SPRAY $19.95 REG $33.95 7-INCH ROCKWELL Most popular in the Rockwell line. Cuts 23/8 at 90.
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 25

    Vincent Price for Sun Giant Raisins.

    Raisin Party Dessert "You've never tasted the likes because there's never been raisins like these." "Around my kitchen this is raisin time of year. I use them in pies, cakes, puddings, salads. Lots of ways. Because raisins are good. And good for you, too. "But let's face it, raisins aren't the prettiest fruit in the world. Kind of wizened up, you might say. "That's why, when the Sun Giant people showed me their new raisins, I went overboard. "Instead of letting them dry out in the field, they're
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 26

    Wally Cox for Smirnoff Vodka.

    ODK WHAT DOES SMIRNOFF VODKA TASTE LIKE?ely ever tated Suined" says Wally Con, "ecause it don't hardly have to 's just sort of willing?" W like ginger ale! You don't have to learn new recipes to make delicious drinks with Snie Valks, Jet juice or wilt drink you like. 'slation Smirnoff THE GREATEST .VODKA
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 27

    Donald Trump advertising his steaks

    THE SHARPER IMAGE June 2007 sharperimage.com Exclusive Introduction! TRUMP STEAKS "THE WORLD'S GREATEST STEAKS"
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 28

    Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart for Bic

    PERFECT FOR CANDLES AND MORE!
    via Rare Historical Photos

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