KFC commercials: Every person who's played Colonel Sanders

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13 celebs and spices — and one original recipe

KFC/Facebook; KFC/Youtube

Col. Sanders’ image has been synonymous with KFC since the first franchise opened more than 60 years ago. After founder Harland Sanders died in 1980, it didn’t seem like any one person could fill his shoes. Over 30 years later, that philosophy still stands: one person can’t play Sanders, but many people can! Ahead, see all of the celebrities who’ve worn Col. Sanders’ iconic white suit, black tie, and signature facial hair.

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Col. Harland Sanders

John Olson/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images

Col. Harland Sanders did more than found KFC and patent its fried chicken recipe. He was also the spokesperson and brand ambassador, starring in television commercials and making other appearances to promote the franchise. His iconic, unmistakable look and enduring legacy are why the role is still so recognizable today.

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Darrell Hammond

KFC/Youtube; Matthew Eisman/Getty Images

Darrell Hammond became a legend on Saturday Night Live for his talent as an impressionist, so he was the perfect choice as the person to bring Col. Sanders back to television. Hammond believed he would be playing the role long term, and did extensive research to do the part justice. In an interview, Hammond expressed disappointment at being replaced, saying he felt “played” by the company.

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Norm Macdonald

KFC/Facebook; Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Another SNL alum, Norm Macdonald’s turn as Sanders made clear that the role would be a rotating gig. His self-aware version poked fun at the campaign, claiming that he himself was the “real” Colonel Sanders and the one who came before was an “impostor.” (In real life, Macdonald tweeted his support for Hammond’s version, saying “KFC made a big mistake” in replacing him.)

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Jim Gaffigan

KFC/Facebook; Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Comedian Jim Gaffigan continued the silly self-awareness of KFC’s advertising. His Sanders was introduced waking from a nightmare in which Macdonald’s version was his impostor. Waking up in a cold sweat was this Sanders’ schtick: in another ad, he said after waking up, “Boy, I sure do have a lot of nightmares about chicken.”

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George Hamilton

KFC/Facebook; Matthew Eisman/Getty Images

George Hamilton’s (The Godfather Part III, American Housewife) Colonel used Hamilton’s image as part of the joke. The famously tanned actor portrayed the “extra crispy Colonel” to promote KFC’s extra crispy chicken meal.

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Dolph Ziggler

KFC/Facebook; Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images

WWE wrestler Dolph Ziggler is sort of a bonus Colonel: he donned the suit for a WWE-specific spot in which the Colonel throws down with a lesser fried chicken mascot.

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Rob Riggle

KFC/Facebook; Jamie McCarthy/WireImage

The third former SNL cast member to play Sanders, Riggle’s version was a more athletic, competitive Col. Sanders. He played the part as the “owner, head coach, and marketing director” of the fictional “Kentucky Buckets” football team.

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Vincent Kartheiser

KFC/Youtube; Earl Gibson III/Getty Images

Vincent Kartheiser of Mad Men fame played the Nashville Colonel, a younger, ’50s-style heartthrob. His appearance was more unconventional; showing up on an album cover or TV-within-TV.

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Billy Zane

KFC/Facebook; Gabriel Olsen/FilmMagic

Billy Zane (Titantic) appeared as the “Golden Colonel” to promote KFC’s “Georgia Gold” chicken. His Colonel shared double billing with Rob Riggle in a competitive Super Bowl spot with the tagline, “There can only be one at a time.”

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Rob Lowe

KFC/Facebook; Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Rob Lowe’s Colonel Sanders took an astronaut twist on the classic white suit. His performance was a Sanders-JFK hybrid; he made a rousing speech in support of sending KFC’s spicy crispy chicken into space.

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Ray Liotta

KFC/Youtube

Unlike the Riggle/Zane double billing, Shades of Blue‘s Ray Liotta plays a version of the Colonel as just one man – with two personalities. With demented glee, he battles himself over promoting two different KFC meals.

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Christopher Boyer

KFC/Facebook; Ben Horton/WireImage

As a character actor, Christopher Boyer (Lincoln, American Crime Story) is less recognizable than past Colonels, which suited his portrayal of the “Value Colonel.” This version of Sanders explained that instead of hiring any fancy celebrities, the brand saved money to bring consumers KFC’s Value Meal.

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Reba McEntire

KFC/Facebook; Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Actress and country superstar Reba became the first woman to play the Colonel in a joyful musical spot. This Colonel sings, “Please ignore any likeness to famous country singers,” and points out in the crowd at…Reba McEntire, who gives her Colonel doppelgänger a tip of the hat.

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Jason Alexander

KFC; Walter McBride/Getty Images

The Seinfeld alum fittingly portrays the Colonel in a ’90s sitcom-themed spot. Alexander’s Colonel stars in the psuedo-sitcom “What’s for Dinner” where he cycles through ’90s TV tropes, dressing as everything from a mailman to a nosy neighbor.

Replay gallery

Every person who's played Colonel Sanders in a KFC ad

1 of 16

13 celebs and spices — and one original recipe

2 of 16

Col. Harland Sanders

3 of 16

Darrell Hammond

4 of 16

Norm Macdonald

5 of 16

Jim Gaffigan

6 of 16

George Hamilton

7 of 16

Dolph Ziggler

8 of 16

Rob Riggle

9 of 16

Vincent Kartheiser

10 of 16

Billy Zane

11 of 16

Rob Lowe

12 of 16

Ray Liotta

13 of 16

Christopher Boyer

14 of 16

Reba McEntire

15 of 16

Jason Alexander

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Every person who's played Colonel Sanders in a KFC ad

1 of 16

13 celebs and spices — and one original recipe

2 of 16

Col. Harland Sanders

3 of 16

Darrell Hammond

4 of 16

Norm Macdonald

5 of 16

Jim Gaffigan

6 of 16

George Hamilton

7 of 16

Dolph Ziggler

8 of 16

Rob Riggle

9 of 16

Vincent Kartheiser

10 of 16

Billy Zane

11 of 16

Rob Lowe

12 of 16

Ray Liotta

13 of 16

Christopher Boyer

14 of 16

Reba McEntire

15 of 16

Jason Alexander

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