Celebrities Who Reinvented Their Image Ads

In Hollywood, your image is your most valuable currency. The public forms an idea of who you are, and that perception can define—and sometimes confine—your career for decades. Breaking out of that mold is one of the hardest things a celebrity can do. So, how do you shift from rom-com heartthrob to philosophical icon? Or from gangster rapper to America's beloved, family-friendly uncle?

Sometimes, the most powerful tool for reinvention is a 60-second commercial. A brilliantly conceived ad, paired with the right brand, can introduce a new side of a celebrity, challenge old perceptions, and rewrite their entire story in the public eye. Here are five celebrities who did exactly that, using advertising as their canvas for transformation.

1. Matthew McConaughey: The Philosopher Behind the Wheel for Lincoln (2014)

Before 2014, Matthew McConaughey was primarily known for two things: his charming, shirtless turns in romantic comedies and his signature "Alright, alright, alright." He was likable, but not someone you'd associate with deep, philosophical thought. Then came his partnership with Lincoln, and everything changed.

The campaign for the Lincoln MKC, directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive), was unlike anything seen in car advertising. It wasn't about horsepower or luxury features. It was about ideas, introspection, and mystery. In the now-iconic "Intro" commercial, McConaughey sits in a dark, minimalist room, stares directly into the camera, and delivers a monologue that became instantly legendary:

"There's a passage I got memorized. Seems appropriate for this occasion: 'Sometimes you gotta go back to actually move forward.' And then he says, 'And sometimes, going back is actually moving forward.' Wait, let me think about that."

Watch the ad that started the "McConaissance":

Matthew McConaughey Lincoln MKC "Intro" Commercial:

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This single ad, and the series that followed, completely redefined McConaughey's public persona. He became the "Lincoln philosopher," a man of depth, calm, and introspection. It perfectly coincided with his "McConaissance"—the period where he shifted to serious, Oscar-winning roles in films like Dallas Buyers Club, True Detective, and Interstellar. The Lincoln campaign didn't just sell cars; it sold a new Matthew McConaughey, one who was serious, artistic, and endlessly intriguing. It was a masterclass in aligning a brand's desired image (sophisticated, modern luxury) with a celebrity's personal reinvention.

2. Snoop Dogg & Martha Stewart: The Unlikeliest Friendship for BIC (2021)

In the 1990s, Snoop Dogg was the epitome of West Coast gangsta rap. His image was tied to a lifestyle that was decidedly not mainstream. Fast forward to the 2020s, and a remarkable transformation had taken place. A key catalyst was his unexpected, and utterly delightful, friendship with domestic goddess Martha Stewart.

Their partnership, which blossomed on various TV shows and projects, culminated in a series of hilarious commercials for BIC EZ Reach Lighters. The premise was simple: Snoop and Martha, in their signature styles, demonstrating the benefits of a long-handled lighter. But the execution was comedic gold, playing on their contrasting personas with perfect "wink and nod" humor.

See the perfect, unlikely pairing:

Snoop Dogg & Martha Stewart BIC EZ Reach Commercial:

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The commercials were a viral sensation because they leaned into the beautiful absurdity of their friendship. Snoop brought his laid-back, cool charisma, and Martha brought her trademark precision and warmth. The ads completed a key phase of Snoop's transformation from controversial rapper to "America's Uncle"—a beloved, approachable, and endlessly entertaining figure who could sell anything. The BIC campaign was the perfect vehicle for this new image, showing him as fun, harmless, and universally appealing. It wasn't just an ad; it was a cultural moment that cemented his place in the mainstream.

3. Ryan Reynolds: The Marketing Genius Behind Aviation Gin (Peloton Case)

Ryan Reynolds was already a beloved actor, known for his quick wit and self-deprecating humor, especially as the meta-commentary king Deadpool. But his ownership of Aviation Gin transformed him from a funny actor into a full-blown marketing genius, renowned for his agility and strategic mind.

The moment that truly crystallized this new image was his response to a PR crisis from a completely different company. In 2019, Peloton released a holiday ad that was widely mocked for its surreal, privileged tone. It featured a husband gifting his wife a Peloton bike, and her documenting her fitness journey for a year. The internet had a field day.

Within days, Reynolds and his Aviation Gin team released a commercial titled "The Gift That Doesn't Give Back." It featured the same actress from the Peloton ad, this time at a bar with her friends, drinking Aviation Gin. The implication was clear and hilarious: she was so traumatized by the bike that she'd turned to gin. The ad was a brilliant, real-time piece of reactive marketing that only someone with Reynolds's instincts could pull off.

Witness the marketing genius in action:

Aviation Gin "The Gift That Doesn't Give Back":

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This ad didn't just sell gin; it redefined Ryan Reynolds. He was no longer just a movie star. He was the quick-witted, ever-present master of the internet, a brand builder who understood culture and could pivot faster than anyone. It established him as a force in the advertising world, leading to his incredibly successful campaigns for Mint Mobile and his own production company. He became the product as much as the gin.

4. Jason Statham: The Surprisingly Funny Action Hero for LG (2016)

For years, Jason Statham was the archetypal action star: tough, taciturn, and perpetually serious. He was the guy who punched first and asked questions never. He rarely smiled, and his range was defined by his physical prowess. So, when he starred in a commercial for the LG G5 smartphone, audiences were in for a shock.

The ad, titled "Jason Statham - LG G5 & Friends," is a surreal and hilarious deconstruction of his own image. He doesn't play one character; he plays every character in a city, from a coffee barista to a news anchor to a flamboyant woman with a wig. The commercial is a rapid-fire showcase of his versatility, with Statham throwing himself into each role with complete, unselfconscious commitment. He dances, he smiles, he overacts—he does everything his action hero persona would never allow.

See Jason Statham like never before:

Jason Statham - LG G5 & Friends Commercial:

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The ad was a revelation. It showed that Jason Statham was not just a one-note tough guy; he was in on the joke. He had a fantastic sense of humor about himself. This commercial opened the door for more comedic roles, like his voice work in Gnomeo & Juliet and his scene-stealing turn in Spy. It proved that even the hardest action hero could have a soft, funny side, and it made him infinitely more likable and bankable.

5. Snoop Dogg: The Voice of Insurance for The General (2020)

Snoop Dogg's reinvention is so powerful it deserves a second entry. After conquering the lifestyle and culinary worlds with Martha Stewart, he set his sights on something even more mundane and, therefore, even more impressive: car insurance.

His commercials for The General insurance company are a perfect distillation of his new, fully-formed public image. He brings his unmistakable voice, his laid-back cadence, and his universal appeal to the task of explaining insurance rates alongside a cartoon mascot. The ads are simple, funny, and feature Snoop being exactly who he is now: a calm, friendly, and trustworthy presence.

See Snoop sell insurance with a cartoon:

THE GENERAL: Snoop Dogg Commercial:

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This campaign is the ultimate proof of his transformation. If you can sell car insurance—a product built entirely on trust and reliability—you are officially a part of the American family. Snoop Dogg, the former gangsta rapper, had become a reassuring voice for a mainstream insurance brand, appearing comfortably alongside animation. The ads were a hit, proving that his appeal now spanned generations and demographics. He had successfully rebranded himself as a lifestyle icon, and The General campaign was the final, glorious stamp of approval on his journey from "risky rapper" to "trusted communicator."

Conclusion: The Power of a Perfect Partnership

These five examples show that a commercial can be so much more than a sales pitch. It can be a statement of intent, a piece of personal branding, and a powerful tool for reinvention. Matthew McConaughey used Lincoln to become a philosopher. Snoop Dogg used BIC and The General to become America's uncle. Ryan Reynolds used Aviation Gin to become a marketing mogul. Jason Statham used LG to reveal his hilarious, versatile side.

In each case, the celebrity found a brand that perfectly aligned with the new image they wanted to project. The result was advertising that not only sold products but also rewrote the star's story for a new generation, proving that sometimes, the best way to change who you are is to appear in a commercial.

Celebrities Who Reinvented Their Image Through Ads