Memories of Robert Redford as a Commercial Actor

Source: YouTube

As I wrote about yesterday, we lost a Hollywood legend … Robert Redford. We know and admire Robert for his long list of blockbuster films including “Barefoot in the Park,” “The Way We Were,” and “Out of Africa.”

What many of us don’t know and what I didn’t even realize myself is that he had a full resume of commercial work as well. So to honor his full legacy, I thought today I’d explore his work in commercial acting.

In 2004, Robert did multiple voice overs for multiple executions of a United Airlines campaign featuring his voice set to music from George Gershwin. Here’s one of those spots …

Feels oddly dark, doesn’t it? Always fun to take a look back … see what a difference fifteen years makes in advertising styles and production values?!?

Talk about odd and clumsy, here’s an ad that Robert did with Burger King. I can’t get a date stamp on it but it’s clearly from a ways back given how young he looks and the production value.

I would love to see the creative brief behind that campaign!

Now this next spot from Conservation International I vividly remember and if I could find my archives from back in the day I could show you that I even blogged about it! But my platform changed and my history doesn’t go back that far. :(

Here is Robert from 2014 as “The Redwood” talking about conservation and he is fabulous!

So good, so good!

Final one up for today is a Super Bowl spot Robert did for Honda along with a whole bunch of other celebrities where they reflect back on their high school yearbook aspirations. Quite clever and generational and inclusive of all sorts of talents. While it didn’t make my top ten Super Bowl list that year (sorry Robert), I do remember it well as it broke through the intense clutter of the event!

Oh what fun going down memory lane, recognizing the other side of a very talented actor and leader in this field. Robert Redford, you gave us so many gifts from your many gifts. Memories!

What’s your experience? JIM