Since TV advertising in Brazil is a huge industry that now has more money than ever to throw around, gringos have been popping up in different commercials in recent years. I recently came across a very funny new one, but here's a quick recap of similar commercials.
First, there was Richard Gere hawking hair products...
Then there was Sylvester Stallone, selling cars...
There was Sarah Jessica Parker and Nicole Kidman in commercials for very upscale malls in Rio and São Paulo...
There was Arnold Schwarzenegger in a CCAA commercial, advertising English and Spanish classes...
And most recently, there was Bruce Willis, also for CCAA, advertising the dangers of not being able to speak English.
Considering Brazil's racial composition, I'd also expect African American actors like Wesley Snipes, Angela Bassett and Will Smith to do well in the Rio Advertising market.
Posted by: Ian | January 24, 2011 at 08:34 AM
The one with Arnold in it was on back when I was in Brazil in 2002. Terrible Portuguese.
Posted by: Adam Gonnerman | January 24, 2011 at 05:09 PM
Rachel,
Seems you enjoy the Portuguese language. I thought you might enjoy this.
http://grittypoet.blogspot.com/2011/01/ja-sei-algumas-palavras-em-portugues.html
Posted by: The Gritty Poet | January 25, 2011 at 05:14 AM
It is not Bruce Willis' first foray into Brazilian advertising. Many years ago (when he still had a full head of hair) he did a commercial for Ajinomoto, the famous Japanese MSG powder made popular in Brazil via the Nipo-Brazilian community
Posted by: Ernest | February 04, 2011 at 01:39 PM