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Whether you stream on the internet or still pay for cable, you’ll likely see a celebrity in a car advertisement at some point. Sometimes it’s voice-over work featuring the stylings of Will Arnett or John Cena narrating commercials for GMC and Honda, respectively. However, sometimes it’s a fan-favorite celeb stepping in front of the camera, like Will Ferrell, Sydney Sweeney, or Brie Larson. 

Car advertisements featuring celebrity personalities aren’t a new thing, but some are just plain better than others

Sure, the ridiculous Paramount+ Super Bowl LVIII spot stole the show with Patrick Stewart throwing a nostalgia-inducing Football Head over a mountain (well, almost). That doesn’t mean other celebrity car advertisements haven’t shined bright before. These are a few of our favorite star-struck auto ads. 

  • Will Ferrell– General Motors and more specifically, the Ultium EV lineup
  • Brie Larson– Nissan
  • Sydney Sweeney– Ford
  • Glen Powell– RAM Trucks
  • Christopher Walken– BMW

Will Ferrell is good for a collaboration. But I don’t think anyone saw the “Anchorman” and “Old School” actor partnering up with General Motors and Netflix for the brands’ Super Bowl LVII television spot. In the advertisement, the celebrity pilots many of GM’s cars, from the GMC Sierra Denali (the EV version) to the Chevrolet Silverado EV. However, even better than the promise of more Netflix visibility for EVs, was the then-55-year-old comedian pretending to be Dusty from “Stranger Things.” You can’t make this stuff up. Well, someone did. 

Popular celebrity Sydney Sweeney sits with a 2024 Ford Mustang in car commercial.
Sydney Sweeney partners with Ford Motor Company | Ford

In a team-up that might make “The Avengers” jealous, Brie Larson has appeared in more than a few advertisements touting the latest cars, trucks, and SUVs from Japanese manufacturer Nissan. The advertisements have the “Lessons in Chemistry” and “Captain Marvel” actor showcasing the brand’s more sensible options as well as the 400-horsepower Nissan Z Performance sports car. 

Sydney Sweeney is in high demand as of late. Whether it’s “Madame Web,” “Anyone But You,” or “Immaculate,” the American actor’s phone won’t stop ringing. Consequently, one of those calls was from Ford Motor Company, which partnered with her for not only vehicle promotions but also Ford-themed attire. It’s certainly preferable to her repugnant character in “White Lotus.” But, you know, to each their own.

In almost too apropos a sequence, Sydney Sweeney’s “Anyone But You” co-star Glen Powell is in demand as well. However, while you might find Sweeney leaning on a Ford Bronco, you’ll find Powell alongside RAM trucks. Soon-to-retire RAM CEO Tim Kuniskis had this to say on the subject. “The trajectory of Glen’s career showcases that his passion, ambition, and perseverance are what is needed to succeed, and he shares those traits with our customers who depend on our trucks every day.”

Celebrity Christopher Walken with a BMW car during an advertisement.
Christopher Walken with a BMW i5 M60 | BMW

It might be the cheekiest celebrity car advertisement in years. That’s right, Christopher Walken partnered with BMW for “Talkin’ Like Walken” to showcase his trademark cadence and voice with a valet and a fellow dog walker doing their best Walken impression. Another Christopher, Chris Pine also drops his best impression as a smiling Walken drives away in a BMW i5 M60.