Diet Coke celebrities
Diet Coke was introduced with much fanfare on July 8, 1982, so the brand celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. (Yes, I do know that might make you feel old!)
Throughout the years, we’ve had some shall we say “different” celebrities appear in ads for
Here are just a few names – many real “blasts from the past”:
Paul Anka
Cabbage Patch Kids
DEVO
Tony Dow, Jerry Mathers and Ken Osmond (Wally, Beaver and Eddie Haskell, respectively, on “Leave It to Beaver”)
Elmo the Wonderdog
Lorenzo Lamas
David Liesure (seen as “Joe Izuzu” in car ads)
Ray Parker, Jr.
Roger and Jessica Rabbit
Telly Savalas
“Wierd Al” Yankovic
Do you have a favorite
My name is Phil Mooney, and I've served as the historian/archivist for 
One of my favorites is the Diet Coke television commercial from 1983 with Bob Hope and other stars at the Radio City Music Hall watching the Rockettes and enjoying diet Coke.
The television commercial is available on youtube.
Posted by: cokewww | April 19, 2008 at 09:50 PM
cokewww - Thanks for your message, and thanks for mentioning that ad. The one you mentioned helped us launch diet Coke to the public (and started the trend of pairing diet Coke and celebrities). There was a series of the ads -- cut for different lengths and to show different celebrities. In addition to Bob Hope, Carol Channing and Telly Savalas appeared in the ads, along with other stars who attended a celebration at Radio City Music Hall. There really was an event in New York, and the Rockettes really did dance around a giant diet Coke can on stage! -- Phil
Posted by: Phil Mooney | April 21, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Phil, Who did the Diet Coke ad in the May 12th issue of People Magazine? I think it is great sort of a throw back to the old days of the glamor girls.
Chuck
Posted by: Chuck | May 08, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Chuck - The new ad for diet Coke certainly is glamourous and sophisticated. It's part of a new campaign and was created by ad agency Weiden + Kennedy. Thanks -- Phil
Posted by: Phil Mooney | May 09, 2008 at 02:59 PM
I love the new commercial with "Starry Eyed Surprise" and Nicole Vicius in it. =D
Posted by: Starpeltxx | May 22, 2008 at 08:31 PM
Starpeltxx - Thanks for your note, and I'm glad you like the ad. For those of you who are wondering which ad this is, it's a diet Coke commercial showing a woman roller skating while enjoying diet Coke. The commercial features the song "Starry Eyed Surprise." The ad is actually from 2005, but has recently started airing again. -- Phil
Posted by: Phil Mooney | May 23, 2008 at 02:08 PM
Who is the actor that plays the hunky handyman in the diet coke advert8 where there are three women in a lift???
Posted by: Me | September 12, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Me - The diet Coke "hunk" had his debut in 1994 in the "Diet Coke Break" commercial. His name is Lucky Vanous. I know people who still can recite the whole commercial! However, this 1994 ad doesn't have an elevator in it. The women are in an office looking out of a window and Lucky is on the street having his diet Coke break. Thanks -- Phil
Posted by: Phil Mooney | September 12, 2008 at 02:43 PM
Hi Phil , Just for the record , I was at the Introduction of Diet Coke extravaganza @ Radio City Music Hall on July 29th 1982 . I was dating a girl at the time , who was the executive asst. to the controller of Coca Cola at that time . Quite an event , after the show , we got bussed down to South Street Seaport for a major party . I actually have a commemorative can of Diet Coke for sale on Ebay right now that was given to me as a table gift at the party . Hate to see it go , but cleaning out the closets and feel it should go to a collector at this point . Just wanted to share that with you !
Posted by: rfo45 | January 24, 2009 at 12:28 PM