There are a number of famous faces who have starred in a variety of slightly embarrassing and bizarre international commercials over the years early in their careers.
The likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, George Clooney and Britney Spears appeared in campaigns around the world in their younger years.
In addition to their acting and singing work, many have also done advertising in order to gain a foothold in the industry in order to earn a little more money and gain fame.
Web takes a look at the international advertising that certain celebrities DON’T want to see:
1. LEONARDO DICAPRIO
Back then: In 2014, Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio starred in a commercial for the Japanese credit card company Orio
The Past: In the action-packed commercial, he dramatically saved the day and then used his Orico card to pay for the chaos he caused along the way
YEAR: 1998
COMPANY: Orico Card
In 2014, Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio starred in a commercial for Japanese credit card company Orio.
At that time, he was at the beginning of his journey to becoming one of the biggest stars in the world.
In the 1990s he made a name for himself with films such as Romeo + Juliet (1996), Titanic (1998) and The Beach (2000).
Around the time he was getting into filmmaking, he also starred in a series of commercials for Orico.
In the action-packed commercial, he dramatically saved the day and then used his Orico card to pay for the chaos he caused along the way.
He fights the Japanese mafia, stops a thief and saves an elevator full of people before they fall to their deaths.
“Orico card ok?” he says at the end of each scene and winks at the camera.
It seemed as if he could win over not only film producers, but also companies that wanted to cast a star in the 1990s.
Dramatic: He fights the Japanese mafia, stops a thief and saves an elevator full of people before they fall to their deaths
Catchy: “Orico card ok?” he says at the end of each scene and winks at the camera
2. BRITNEY SPEARS
YEAR: 1999
COMPANY: Suki Candy
In 1999, pop sensation Britney Spears starred in a Japanese commercial for candy brand Suki Candy.
It was the same year after her popular hit “Baby One More Time” was released and she received a lot of media attention.
Many brands wanted to work with her when she became the biggest pop star in the world.
Popular with preteens and teenagers, UHA Mikakuto chose Britney as the face of their new gummy candy.
In the ad, Britney and her team travel between arena concerts and brand jobs in a CGI private jet.
Her Japanese one-liner vaguely translates to “Konjac gummies make my stomach better.”
: In 1999, pop sensation Britney Spears starred in a Japanese commercial for candy brand Suki Candy
Huge Star: It was the same year after her popular hit “Baby One More Time” was released and she received a lot of media attention
Capitalize: UHA Mikakuto is popular with preteens and teenagers and chose Britney as the face of their new gummy candy
3. MADONNA
YEAR: 1995
COMPANY: Takara
In May 1995, Alek Keshishian filmed Madonna in a Japanese television commercial for Takara, a shochu, or Japanese sake, maker.
Wearing geisha shoes, Madonna enters the Golden Dragon’s lair to the sounds of music she wrote and recorded specifically for the display.
Madge approaches the beast, draws her sword and cuts a magical golden ball from its mouth, which then turns into a glass of Jun Legend sake on ice.
“I am pure. Jun Legend,” says Madonna, turning to the camera.
The sake, called Jun Legend, was made by mixing two types of alcohol distilled from barley and corn and aging in charred oak barrels for one to five years.
At the time, Takara claimed that the sake tasted similar to whiskey.
Madonna wrote and sang the commercial’s song with the lyrics: “How can I be pure when all the strength I have breaks me?”
“How can I be sure where this path I have chosen will take me? I am pure. Jun legend.’
Different: In May 1995, Alek Keshishian filmed Madonna in a Japanese television commercial for Takara, a shochu, or Japanese sake, maker
Star: Madonna wears geisha shoes and enters the Golden Dragon’s lair to the sounds of music she wrote and recorded specifically for the commercial
Action: Madge approaches the beast, draws her sword and cuts a magical golden ball from its mouth, which then turns into a glass of Jun Legend sake on ice
4. BEN STILLER
YEAR 2013
COMPANY: Kirin Fruit Beer
In 2013, actor Ben Stiller starred in a bizarre Japanese ad for Kirin Fruit Beer.
It shows Stiller freezing in a block of ice after opening a beer, only to be attacked by a group of soccer players.
It begins with him breaking through the Kirin cheerleaders’ pompoms to tell the people of Japan all about their newest drink.
However, it is not Stiller who speaks, as they chose to use a dubbed voice instead of his own.
Ben is best known for roles in films such as Zoolander, Night at the Museum and Dodgeball.
Cash: In 2013, actor Ben Stiller starred in a bizarre Japanese ad for Kirin Fruit Beer
Plot: It shows Stiller freezing in a block of ice after opening a beer, only to be attacked by a group of soccer players
5. JULIA ROBERTS
YEAR: 2010
COMPANY: Lavazza
In 2010, Julia was cast as Venus in an Italian commercial for Lavazza coffee.
In it, a cup of Lavazza makes her smile so that a painter can finish his picture of her.
She appeared in the campaign as a 45-second commercial for the hefty fee of £1.14 million.
The actress appeared as Botticelli’s Venus in a backdrop in the clouds in the celestial advert shown in Italy over the Christmas period.
The scene begins with the painter at his wits’ end as his difficult muse refuses to smile for him as he attempts to create his masterpiece, the Allegory of Spring.
The ad also features two famous Italian entertainers, Paolo Bonolis and Luca Laurenti, offering the star some of Lavazza’s A Modo Mio coffee.
After drinking the coffee, Julia flashes her trademark wide grin as the men around her cheer, and Botticelli excitedly goes to work capturing her smile.
The short commercial ends with Roberts winking at the camera.
She leaves her mark: In 2010, Julia was cast as Venus in an Italian commercial for Lavazza coffee
Story: In it, a cup of Lavazza makes her smile so that a painter can finish his painting of her
Wow! She appeared in the campaign as a 45-second commercial for the hefty fee of £1.14 million
6. NICOLAS CAGE
YEAR: 2006
COMPANY: Sankyo Pachinko
In 2006, Nicholas Cage starred in a Japanese commercial for Sankyo Pachinko – a pinball machine manufacturer.
The pachinko game looks like a vertical version of a pinball machine. The game is played by firing metal balls called “pachinko balls.” You can play pachinko by renting pachinko balls from the salon.
Once you hit the jackpot, you can win lots of pachinko balls that you can exchange for various prizes.
Nicholas starred in several commercials in 2006. In one of them he sits at a grand piano and talks about how much he loves pachinko.
In another case, a reporter’s earring reminds him of a pachinko ball.
Actor: In 2006, Nicholas Cage starred in a Japanese commercial for Sankyo Pachinko – a pinball machine manufacturer
Concept: The Pachinko game looks like a vertical version of a pinball machine. The game is played by firing metal balls called “pachinko balls.” You can play pachinko by renting pachinko balls from the salon
Role: Nicholas appeared in several commercials in 2006. In one of them he sits at a grand piano and talks about how much he loves pachinko
7. LADY GAGA
YEAR: 2009
COMPANY: F1 Rocks
Lady Gaga appeared in an advertisement for the F1 Rock commercial in 2009 – a concert in Singapore.
As a club music star, it seemed a good fit and she wears it in a skin-tight newspaper print outfit with statement shoulder pads.
The concert in Singapore that accompanied the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix.
In an expressionless voiceover, she says that Singapore is “unique” just like her, while her song “Poker Face” plays in the background.
She says: “Welcome to Singapore, a city of novelties.” The first Grand Prix night race and now the first F1 race are rocking. The race is on, so get ready to rock the F1 world in Singapore.
Work: Lady Gaga appeared in an advertisement for F1 Rock commercial in 2009 – a concert in Singapore
Look: As a club music star, it seemed a good fit and she’s wearing a skin-tight outfit with a newspaper print and statement shoulder pads
Event: The concert in Singapore that accompanied the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix
8. GEORGE CLOONEY
YEAR: 2011
COMPANY: DNB
In 2011, Hollywood heartthrob George Clooney starred in a campaign for Norwegian bank DnB.
In the clip, a woman wakes up and learns that she married George the night before and they will be moving into a beautiful house together.
“Some people are lucky in life…for the rest of us, saving can be smart,” the ad then says.
It’s meant to show that some people have the luck in life – while the rest of us need to be responsible and start saving.
George has starred in a number of high-earning commercials, most notably for the coffee brand Nespresso.
Commercial: In 2011, Hollywood heartthrob George Clooney starred in a campaign for Norwegian bank DnB
Beautiful: In the clip, a woman wakes up and learns that she married George the night before and that they will be moving into a beautiful house together
Catchy: “Some people are lucky in life… for the rest of us, saving can be smart,” the advertising then says
9. CHUCK NORRIS
YEAR: 2010
COMPANY: T-Mobile in the Czech Republic
In 2010, Chuck Norris starred in a series of commercials for T-Mobile’s Christmas campaign in the Czech Republic.
In it, the martial arts guru stands silent and awkward in the house of a Czech family at Christmas.
“Chuck Norris has always fought for what is right, and we like that,” Martina Kemrová, a spokeswoman for T-Mobile, said of the company’s decision at the time.
“Everyone knows the facts and jokes of Chuck Norris.” We wanted to go beyond that and show Chuck in a typical Czech family setting in the idyllic Christmas atmosphere – exactly what you wouldn’t expect from Chuck Norris.
“He liked that too and that’s why he agreed to come to Prague.”
Celebrity: In 2010, Chuck Norris starred in a series of commercials for T-Mobile’s Christmas campaign in the Czech Republic
Bizarre: In it, the martial arts guru stands silent and awkward in the house of a Czech family at Christmas
10. DANIEL DAY LEWIS
YEAR: 1991
COMPANY: Kanebo men’s cosmetics
In 1991, Daniel Day-Lewis starred in a Japanese commercial for Kanebo Men’s Cosmetics.
The brand describes itself as the leading Japanese manufacturer of high-quality skin care, makeup and hair care cosmetics.
Daniel studied acting at the Bristol Old Vic and made his film debut in Sunday, Bloody Sunday.
He received critical acclaim for his role in “My Beautiful Laundrette” and won Oscars for “My Left Foot,” “There Will Be Blood” and “Lincoln.”
Early Career: In 1991, Daniel Day-Lewis starred in a Japanese commercial for Kanebo Men’s Cosmetics
Impressive: The brand describes itself as the leading Japanese manufacturer of high-quality skin care, makeup and hair care cosmetics
Star: Daniel studied acting at the Bristol Old Vic and made his film debut in Sunday, Bloody Sunday