Since time immemorial, celebrities have been looking for additional income streams to keep their pockets lined. But for those who don’t land beauty campaigns or aren't all that interested in creating a clothing line, there’s yet another lucrative (and easy) option available: infomercials.
Yes, surprisingly, it’s not just George Foreman and his best-selling infomercial grill making a killing in the weird world of long-form late-night ads. For decades, some of the world’s biggest celebrities have been shilling everything from skin care systems to weight loss plans in the wee hours of the morning, all in the name a few extra bucks. Read on to find out which of your favorite celebrities have hawked infomercial goods. And for more surprising celebrity career moves, check out these 30 Celebrities Who Now Hold Regular Jobs.
1 | Kim Kardashian for Perfect Skin
PerfectSkin via YouTubeLong before Kim Kardashian was gracing the cover of Vogue and serving as a muse for fashion designers, she was selling skin care products with her sisters on late night TV. Way back when, Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe Kardashian all starred in infomercials for Perfect Skin, a multi-step skin care system they claimed was specifically-formulated for them by scientists. And for some stars who could have used an infomercial windfall, check out these 30 Celebrities Who Lost Millions Practically Overnight.
2 | Adam Levine for Proactiv+
Proactiv via YouTubeThe Kardashians aren’t the only celebrities involved—or formerly involved—in the skin care game. Maroon 5 frontman and The Voice coach Adam Levine once proudly proclaimed himself blemish-free in infomercials for Proactiv+. In the ads, he showed off some awkward teenage photos to prove he didn't always have great skin.
3 | Pamela Anderson for Alexis Vogel Makeup
Alexis Vogel Makeup via YouTubeFormer Baywatch bombshell Pamela Anderson got in on the infomercial game in the 2000s. Back then, Anderson proudly proclaimed her love for Alexis Vogel Makeup in infomercials for the makeup artist—informercials that also included former Real Housewives of Miami star and model Joanna Krupa. And if you want to boost your own beauty arsenal, start with The 30 Best Beauty Products As Picked by Cosmetologists.
4 | Joey Fatone for Bosley
Bosley via YouTubeIt seems singing and dancing aren’t Joey Fatone’s only talents. The erstwhile NSYNC member leant his famous face (and thinning head of hair) to infomercials for Bosley's hair restoration products back in 2014.
5 | Cher for Lori Davis Hair
Lori Davis Hair via YouTubeIf she could turn back time, would Cher still agree to star in hair care infomercials? While we may never get a definitive answer to that burning question, at least we still have her Lori Davis Hair infomercials to enjoy. And to get magnificent locks of your own, check out these 40 Ways to Have Amazing Hair Over 40.
6 | Marisa Tomei for Winsor Pilates
Winsor Pilates via YouTubeEven Oscar winners aren't above cashing in on those infomercial paychecks. Case in point: Marisa Tomei once had a starring role in infomercials for Winsor Pilates. She wasn’t the only big celebrity to hawk Pilates guru Mari Winsor's exercise program, however; Danny Glover, Melanie Griffith, Minnie Driver, Alfre Woodard, Holly Robinson-Peete, Elizabeth Berkley, and Jennifer Beals all provided testimonials for Winsor’s infomercials as well.
7 | Suzanne Somers for ThighMaster
ThighMaster via YouTubeSuzanne Somers may have starred in hit shows like Three’s Company and Step By Step, but to millions of late-night TV enthusiasts, she’ll always be the pitch woman for the ThighMaster. The exercise device, which claimed to tone a person’s thighs and backside, even earned her a spot in the Direct Response Hall of Fame in 2014. “Ten million ThighMasters later, mine turned out to be a good idea," she told CNN in 2004 of the product’s success. And to tone up in no time, try the 40 Greatest Exercises for Adding Muscle Over 40.
8 | Vivica A. Fox for Zumba
Zumba via VimeoActress Vivica A. Fox, known for her roles in movies like Kill Bill and Independence Day, made her rounds on the infomercial circuit in the late 2000s when she starred in ads for Zumba DVDs. “This is fun—and it’s sexy at the same time!” she raved about the dance-based fitness craze.
9 | Alyssa Milano for WEN by Chaz Dean
WEN by Chaz Dean via YouTubeCher isn’t the only celebrity who’s leant her famous mane to a hair care infomercial. Charmed star Alyssa Milano did the same in the 2000s, serving as the spokeswoman for the WEN by Chaz Dean line of hair care products in the brand’s infomercials. The late-night advertisements also starred actress Roselyn Sanchez and frequent infomercial star Holly Robinson-Peete.
10 | Cindy Crawford for Meaningful Beauty
Meaningful Beauty via YouTubeIn the mid-2000s, Cindy Crawford starred in a series of infomercials for Meaningful Beauty, a line of beauty products she co-created. And the model was in good company, as the ads were hosted by Valerie Bertinelli of One Day at a Time and Hot in Cleveland fame.
11 | Brooke Burke for Core Secrets Workout
Gunnar Peterson's Core Secrets via YouTubeBrooke Burke, who has served as a spokesmodel for everything from Skechers to Poise Pads, has also been involved in the infomercial sector. The multihyphenate star worked on a series of infomercials for Gunnar Peterson’sCore Secrets workout DVDs. She even exercised along with the celebrity trainer in the at-home workout’s first video.
12 | Christie Brinkley for Total Gym
Total Gym via YouTubeChristie Brinkley is just one of many stars to have appeared in infomercials for the Total Gym, an exercise system similar to a Pilates reformer. Over the years, the exercise device has also had stars like Wesley Snipes and Chuck Norris singing its praises on TV.
13 | Paulina Porizkova for RxGenesys
RxGenesys via YouTubeIn addition to serving as a judge on America’s Next Top Model, Paulina Porizkova starred in a series of infomercials for RxGenesys, a supposedly age-fighting skin care system. She’s also sung the praises of another infomercial product in recent years, telling The Cut in 2015, “I started using Wen about a year ago, just because I fell for the infomercial. I tried it and I think it’s wonderful.”
14 | Marie Osmond for Nutrisystem
Nutrisystem via YouTubeSinging sensation Marie Osmond has made her rounds on the infomercial circuit. The actress and singer has claimed to have lost 50 pounds using Nutrisystem, and has hawked the weight loss products for years.
15 | Elisabeth Hasselbeck for Ab Glider
Ab Glider via YouTubeElisabeth Hasselbeck, former co-host of Fox & Friends and The View, can also list “infomercial star” on her resume. The TV personality has starred in infomercials for the Ab Glider, a piece of exercise equipment that promises to give users a six-pack. And for more surprising A-list endorsements, check out The 30 Funniest Celebrity Commercials.
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