Jennifer Lawrence and Eddie Murphy, amongst other celebs, have all done commercials where they come across as goofy/embarrassing considering their star power and the fact that here in Canada there are still wars over people who hate him for deciding to be cautious with THREE WHOLE AD BREAKS?!? Here is a deeper dive into the when and the why of that.
Back in the 2005-2007 (before she became famous): Jennifer Lawrence did a few commercials.
Why: She was a struggling actress trying to make it in Hollywood. Commercials served as a tool to help you build your resume with some on-camera experience, additional visibility, and the added bonus of making money. She made a name for herself in one of her more notable early ads with the Sweet 16 spot for MTV where she was cast as a spoiled teenager. She recently featured in an advertisement for the Abercrombie & Fitch brand as well.
These commercials might seem “embarrassing” in hindsight only because they contrast sharply with her later status as an Oscar-winning actress. However, for many young actors, commercials are a stepping stone to larger roles.
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**When:** In the mid-to-late 1980s, during the height of his fame.
**Why:** In the 1980s, it was common for Hollywood stars to appear in foreign commercials, particularly in Japan, because these ads paid well and were less likely to be seen by their U.S. fan base. Murphy starred in commercials for **Honda motorcycles** and **Suntory Whiskey.**
The commercials are considered unusual or “embarrassing” today due to their often quirky nature and Murphy’s exaggerated expressions, which were typical of Japanese advertising at the time. This trend of Hollywood stars doing overseas commercials has continued; actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Leonardo DiCaprio have done similar work.
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### **Why It Matters:**
These commercials remind us that even the biggest stars had humble beginnings or pursued opportunities outside their usual roles. For Murphy, it was a lucrative deal at the peak of his career. For Lawrence, it was a means of getting noticed in a competitive industry. Their participation reflects the realities of show business—where even top-tier talent sometimes steps outside their comfort zones for financial or professional gain.