From Robert DeNiro to Samuel L Jackson – here’s the reason why Hollywood stars are flocking to UK to film TV adverts
IT’S not just Robert de Niro who has to earn a crust – many other Hollywood stars have flocked to the UK over the years to appear in adverts.
We told yesterday how the Taxi Driver legend is going to front a campaign for cab app Uber — and now Samuel L Jackson has been hired to promote Warburtons bread.
The TV ad, which will air on ITV1 this Friday during dating show My Mum, Your Dad, features music and references to his role as a hitman in Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 cult crime drama Pulp Fiction.
He follows Sylvester Stallone, George Clooney and de Niro in working for the Bolton-based bakers.
Other big names including acting heavyweights Nicole Kidman and Harvey Keitel have also been tempted to promote UK products.
Warburtons chairman Jonathan Warburton revealed that persuading Stallone to star in the firm’s commercials led to them landing Jackson.
He said: “Once you’ve worked with one huge star, it helps to unlock interest in others.
Publicity guru Mark Borkowski thinks our sense of humour helps to lure top US stars to appear in UK ads.
He says: “We don’t take it too seriously. The ads let them have some fun, make some money and be seen as human.”
Here, we look at other big names who have cashed in on British TV.
SYLVESTER STALLONE – Warburtons
THE bread firm appeared to be punching above its weight when it hired Rocky star Sylvester in 2015.
After filming in Wakefield, West Yorks, Sly went for a meal with boss Jonathan Warburton and had fun with a hen party.
Jonathan said: “You can imagine – a group of Yorkshire girls with a couple of drinks on board. But he was just brilliant.”
EST. FEE: £1m
IGGY POP – On The Beach
PUNK rocker Iggy is still taking his shirt off at the age of 76 – so he didn’t mind going topless for travel firm On The Beach.
Made during the Covid restrictions in 2020, the commercial looked forward to a time when people can travel abroad again.
Iggy told viewers: “The sun is always shining somewhere.”
FEE: £500k
UMA THURMAN – Virgin Media
KILL Bill actress Uma shredded her kick-ass reputation when she appeared in an ad for Richard Branson’s Virgin Media in 2007.
At the time, the mother-of-three wanted to focus on her life with her children, which might have influenced her decision.
She said: “I am thinking about being a full-time, stay-at-home mom.”
FEE: £1m
NICOLE KIDMAN – Compare the Market
THE Aussie actress’s 2015 advert for Compare The Market isn’t likely to appear high up on her CV.
In the ad, meerkat Sergei uses the firm’s two-for-one cinema ticket offer to take Nicole out rather than his furry friend Aleksandr.
Nicole joked: “I’d have to say Alexsandr has been a bit of a diva, which is no surprise given his fame in the UK.”
FEE: £1.5m
KEVIN BACON – EE
IN 2012, the Apollo 13 actor was hired to promote EE – and he’s still a brand ambassador for the mobile network.
He was joined by Britney Spears in 2016 for a one-off ad and wore her red latex catsuit from her Oops! . . . I Did It Again video.
FEE: £2m
SNOOP DOGG – Just Eat
THE rapper’s street cred will probably never recover after appearing in adverts for takeaway service Just Eat.
Snoop rapped “me get delivery just like a G” and “tacos to the chateau” in the 2020 commercials.
Keen to cash in, he has also promoted SodaStream, Corona, Dunkin’ Donuts and Burger King.
FEE: £5.3m
RYAN REYNOLDS – BT
THE Deadpool star and Wrexham football club owner hung from a helicopter 200 metres in the air to show how far BT’s wi-fi signal can reach.
He said of the 2016 ad: “It was a really fun project and I couldn’t resist.
“It breaks down the fourth wall in a self-deprecating, weird way and I love that. I’ve always been a fan of you Brits.”
FEE: £2m
HARVEY KEITEL – DIRECT LINE
HAVING played “fixer” Winston Wolfe in Pulp Fiction, insurance firm Direct Line thought it would be funny to have Harvey “solve problems” in one of their ads.
The actor relived his tough guy role in the 2013 commercial when he said his famous line: “I think I should take you two gentlemen for a little ride.”
Reportedly, he had to persuade Tarantino to let Direct Line use this character from his movie.
FEE: £1m