Which celebs does KFC endorse? Discover the stars who’ve taken on the Colonel’s iconic role and imagine his ultimate dinner party guest list.
Picture this: a red-and-white checkered tablecloth as long as a football field down a dimly lit Southern diner. At the head of the table sits the man, the myth, the legend, Colonel Harland Sanders himself, stroking his white mustache as he looks over the gathering of stars seated before him. And he’s not eating alone. No, this night he’s eating a bucket of his world-famous fried chicken with a special gathering of stars.
KFC’s marketing magic has made the Colonel far more than just a mascot; he’s an icon and a source of enterprise inspiration. Over the years, the question which celebs does KFC endorse? has been answered with a curious parade of stars who have filled his boots, each putting their own twist on his legend. But who would be the perfect dinner party guest list? Let’s take a look.
Article Breakdown
The Celebrity Colonel: How KFC Reinvented a Legend
KFC’s habit of featuring various celebrities as Colonel Sanders wasn’t a publicity stunt, it was a branding coup. Consider: when did you ever last care who the spokesperson for another fast food joint was? Exactly.
It started in 2015 when KFC decided to bring back the Colonel from the dusty vaults. But instead of a solemn tribute to the man himself, they reimagined him as a series of comedians, musicians, and actors, each of whom imposed their own quirky twist on the character. The result? A character who is new, unexpected, and most of all, fun.
Yet beneath the advertisements, KFC’s approach goes even deeper. By utilizing bigger-than-life personalities to play the Colonel, they align him with popular culture in a manner that leaves their brand appearing new, current, and simply a lot of fun.
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1. The Comedians Who Kept It Crispy
Fried chicken and comedy might not be the most obvious combination, but when KFC resurrected the Colonel, they knew that humor was the secret ingredient. Enter Darrell Hammond, Norm Macdonald, and Jim Gaffigan, three comedians who kicked off the modern Colonel years.
- Darrell Hammond (2015): The SNL legend was the first to wear the white suit in KFC’s new generation. His interpretation was strangely solemn, nearly macabre, setting the stage for the goofiness to ensue.
- Norm Macdonald (2015-2016): Nobody could turn playing a fast-food mascot into a deadpan joke like Norm. He started denouncing Hammond’s Colonel as an imposter at first sight and introducing himself as the “real” Colonel. Timeless Norm.
- Jim Gaffigan (2016): Though he adored food humor, Gaffigan was the most self-aware Colonel to date, exaggerating the absurdity of the character itself.
2. The Hollywood A-Listers Who Gave the Colonel Some Swagger
Sometimes, you need a little star power to shake things up. Enter the actors who brought a mix of charm, eccentricity, and even a little romance to the role.
- Rob Lowe (2017): A Colonel in a space suit? Only Rob Lowe could make launching a chicken sandwich into orbit feel both patriotic and ridiculous at the same time.
- Billy Zane (2017): KFC’s “Gold Colonel” campaign needed someone with an over-the-top presence, and who better than Titanic’s own Billy Zane, decked out in head-to-toe gold?
- Mario Lopez (2020): In the most unexpected turn, Mario Lopez portrayed a younger, more seductive Colonel in A Recipe for Seduction, a Lifetime-style mini-movie that turned the Colonel into a romantic lead. Yes, really.
3. The Music Icons Who Sang the Colonel’s Praises
KFC didn’t stop at actors and comedians, they brought music into the mix, too.
- Reba McEntire (2018): Breaking the mold, Reba became the first female Colonel, complete with a country-music twist. Her campaign proved that the Colonel’s legacy wasn’t bound by tradition.
- Jack Harlow (2022): Not as the Colonel, but as a KFC ambassador, Jack Harlow’s partnership with KFC brought in a new generation of fans. His signature meal made waves in the hip-hop community and beyond.
Why KFC’s Celebrity Strategy Works So Well
So why does KFC’s ever-changing Colonel resonate so much? Because it does something most brands fail at: it embraces reinvention while staying true to its roots.
KFC understands that nostalgia alone isn’t enough. If they simply paraded out old black-and-white footage of the real Colonel Sanders, younger audiences wouldn’t engage. Instead, they’ve taken a historical figure and made him a pop culture shapeshifter, constantly evolving to fit modern sensibilities while keeping his core identity intact.
The key is in the contrast: a stiff, old-fashioned Southern gentleman played by an ever-changing cast of modern-day celebrities. It’s the perfect blend of tradition and parody. And it works because KFC leans all the way in, they don’t just tweak the Colonel’s image, they go full throttle, making each iteration of him an event.
Who’s Next? Predicting the Future of the Colonel
So, who should don the white suit next? Here are a few contenders:
- Ryan Reynolds – His meta, self-aware humor would make for a fantastic Colonel, seamlessly blending parody with charm.
- Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – Imagine a muscle-bound Colonel promoting a new protein-packed KFC menu. Absurd? Yes. But that’s the point.
- Dolly Parton – If Reba could do it, why not Dolly? A Southern legend playing a Southern legend, makes perfect sense.
- Snoop Dogg – He’s already done a Just Eat (UberEats) campaign. Plus, “Gin and Juice… and Chicken” has a nice ring to it.
Key Takeaways
KFC’s use of celebrity Colonels has captivated audiences and elevated their brand beyond just fast food. Here are some key takeaways from their strategy:
- Reinvention with authenticity: KFC understands the importance of evolving with the times while staying true to their roots.
- Pop culture relevance: By casting celebrities, they align themselves with current trends and engage younger generations.
- Humor as a core element: The Colonel’s ever-changing persona allows for endless opportunities for humor and entertainment.
Useful Articles
- How Kentucky Fried Chicken Learned To Embrace The Colonel: This Fast Company article explores KFC’s rebranding strategy and the use of rotating celebrity Colonels to modernize its image.
- KFC Has Revived Colonel Sanders: Vice highlights Darrell Hammond’s portrayal of Colonel Sanders and how it marked the revival of the iconic character in KFC’s marketing.
- Here’s KFC Lifetime Movie With Mario Lopez’s Colonel: Adweek covers Mario Lopez’s role as a “sexy” Colonel Sanders and the broader trend of celebrity Colonels in KFC campaigns.
