Inside the long, strange history of KFC's Colonel Sanders as a spokesperson, character, and romantic lead

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Inside the long, strange history of KFC's Colonel Sanders as a spokesperson, character, and romantic lead
  • Colonel Harland Sanders founded KFC and created the original recipe.
  • Since then, Sanders has become an icon associated with KFC.
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Colonel Harland Sanders famously founded KFC and developed its original fried chicken recipe.

Colonel Harland Sanders famously founded KFC and developed its original fried chicken recipe.
Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken.Getty Images

He's also a symbol of the brand, and a larger pop culture figure.

He's also a symbol of the brand, and a larger pop culture figure.
Omar Marques/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
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Sanders received the title of colonel in 1950 from Kentucky's governor and began dressing in a white suit and growing a signature goatee, making him a perfect, recognizable mascot and logo.

Sanders received the title of colonel in 1950 from Kentucky's governor and began dressing in a white suit and growing a signature goatee, making him a perfect, recognizable mascot and logo.
YouTube/harlandsanders11

Source: Time

Sanders remained a symbol of the brand long after he sold it in 1964.

Sanders remained a symbol of the brand long after he sold it in 1964.
A KFC store is seen in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in February 2018.Gene J. Puskar/AP
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After Sanders died in 1980, the company waited over a decade to fill his shoes in TV commercials.

After Sanders died in 1980, the company waited over a decade to fill his shoes in TV commercials.
KFC Facebook

In 1994, actor Henderson Forsythe was chosen from more than 200 competitors to play the colonel in a $18.4 million ad campaign.

In 1994, actor Henderson Forsythe was chosen from more than 200 competitors to play the colonel in a $18.4 million ad campaign.
CBS via Getty Images

Source: Entertainment Weekly

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Forsythe reportedly watched old film and read Sanders' books to prepare for the role.

Forsythe reportedly watched old film and read Sanders' books to prepare for the role.
Getty

In 1998, KFC tapped Randy Quaid to voice an animated character called The Colonel, which continued through 2001.

In 1998, KFC tapped Randy Quaid to voice an animated character called The Colonel, which continued through 2001.
Toni Anne Barson Archive/WireImage

Source: The Tampa Bay Times

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The animated ads were used to introduce popcorn chicken at the chain.

The animated ads were used to introduce popcorn chicken at the chain.
KFC fried chicken.Patcharaporn Puttipon 636/Shutterstock

It wasn't until 2015 that KFC brought back The Colonel again, this time in live-action form played by SNL alum Darrell Hammond.

It wasn't until 2015 that KFC brought back The Colonel again, this time in live-action form played by SNL alum Darrell Hammond.
KFC
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But just three months later, comedian Norm MacDonald debuted as The Colonel.

But just three months later, comedian Norm MacDonald debuted as The Colonel.
KFC

MacDonald's ads even referenced Hammond's ad campaign, calling him an impostor.

MacDonald's ads even referenced Hammond's ad campaign, calling him an impostor.
KFC
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This became a period of many Colonel Sanders portrayals, with the next played by comedian Jim Gaffigan.

This became a period of many Colonel Sanders portrayals, with the next played by comedian Jim Gaffigan.
KFC

At this point, some actors started riffing on the original image.

At this point, some actors started riffing on the original image.
KFC
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George Hamilton played the "Extra Crispy Colonel."

George Hamilton played the "Extra Crispy Colonel."
KFC

Rob Riggle played The Colonel as coach of the fictional Kentucky Buckets in September 2016.

Rob Riggle played The Colonel as coach of the fictional Kentucky Buckets in September 2016.
KFC
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The series of ads was a success, and the Extra Crispy Colonel in particular was credited with boosting sales of Extra Crispy Chicken.

The series of ads was a success, and the Extra Crispy Colonel in particular was credited with boosting sales of Extra Crispy Chicken.
A bucket of KFC Extra Crispy fried chicken is displayed October 30, 2006 in San Rafael, California. Justin Sullivan/Getty

Source: Insider

KFC executives touted their "distinctive and disruptive advertising and positioning," even though 20% of customers reportedly hated the campaigns.

KFC executives touted their "distinctive and disruptive advertising and positioning," even though 20% of customers reportedly hated the campaigns.
KFC
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Colonel Sanders ad spots grew more outlandish in 2017 with "Titanic" actor Billy Zane playing the Golden Colonel to promote Georgia Gold Chicken.

Colonel Sanders ad spots grew more outlandish in 2017 with "Titanic" actor Billy Zane playing the Golden Colonel to promote Georgia Gold Chicken.
KFC

Source: Insider

A few months later, Rob Lowe played the part of The Colonel doing an homage to former President John F Kennedy to launch the chain's Zinger sandwich.

A few months later, Rob Lowe played the part of The Colonel doing an homage to former President John F Kennedy to launch the chain's Zinger sandwich.
KFC

Source: Insider

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Ray Liotta also took on the role.

Ray Liotta also took on the role.
KFC

Source: Insider

2017 was also the year KFC released a romance novella featuring The Colonel, called "Tender Wings of Desire."

2017 was also the year KFC released a romance novella featuring The Colonel, called "Tender Wings of Desire."
Kate Taylor

Source: Insider

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The Colonel has appeared in three promotional DC comics alongside The Justice League.

The Colonel has appeared in three promotional DC comics alongside The Justice League.
DC Comics

Source: DC

KFC got meta with the next Colonel in 2018, hiring a relatively unknown actor to play the "Value Colonel."

KFC got meta with the next Colonel in 2018, hiring a relatively unknown actor to play the "Value Colonel."
KFC

Source: QSR

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The ads were all about showing new deals at KFC, which said it wasn't wasting extra money on hiring celebrity spokespeople.

The ads were all about showing new deals at KFC, which said it wasn't wasting extra money on hiring celebrity spokespeople.
The KFC $20 Family Fill Up.KFC

It wasn't long before the celebrities were back though, with Reba McEntire as the first female Colonel.

It wasn't long before the celebrities were back though, with Reba McEntire as the first female Colonel.
KFC

Source: Insider

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Jason Alexander, best known for playing George Costanza on "Seinfeld," was next in August 2018 to promote family-sized buckets.

Jason Alexander, best known for playing George Costanza on "Seinfeld," was next in August 2018 to promote family-sized buckets.
KFC

Source: Insider

Colonel Sanders made an appearance on the soap opera "General Hospital" as a friend of one of the main characters.

Colonel Sanders made an appearance on the soap opera "General Hospital" as a friend of one of the main characters.
ABC

Source: TV Guide

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Later in 2018, Craig Fleming appeared as The Colonel alongside Mrs. Butterworth in an ad promoting KFC's chicken and waffles.

Later in 2018, Craig Fleming appeared as The Colonel alongside Mrs. Butterworth in an  ad promoting KFC's chicken and waffles.
KFC

Sean Astin, best known for starring in the titular role in "Rudy", played Colonel Rudy in a nod to the famous 1993 film as the chain introduced chicken wings.

Sean Astin, best known for starring in the titular role in "Rudy", played Colonel Rudy in a nod to the famous 1993 film as the chain introduced chicken wings.
Irene Jiang / Business Insider

Source: Insider

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The pop culture referenced continued with "Game of Thrones" actor Hafþór Júlíus "Thor" Björnsson advertising the Double Crispy Colonel Sandwich.

The pop culture referenced continued with "Game of Thrones" actor Hafþór Júlíus "Thor" Björnsson advertising the Double Crispy Colonel Sandwich.
"Game of Thrones" actor Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson is KFC's latest Colonel Sanders.KFC

Source: Insider

KFC debuted Colonel RoboCop in 2019 as the "latest and most enhanced security measure taken to date to protect and preserve its founder's secret blend of 11 herbs and spices."

KFC debuted Colonel RoboCop in 2019 as the "latest and most enhanced security measure taken to date to protect and preserve its founder's secret blend of 11 herbs and spices."
KFC

Source: KFC

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Next up was one of KFC's most bizarre uses of The Colonel to date: "I Love You Colonel Sanders: A Finger Licking Good Dating Simulator."

Next up was one of KFC's most bizarre uses of The Colonel to date: "I Love You Colonel Sanders: A Finger Licking Good Dating Simulator."
"I Love You Colonel Sanders"/KFC

Players took a cooking class with Colonel Sanders while also trying to win his love, according to Insider's Kevin Webb.

Players took a cooking class with Colonel Sanders while also trying to win his love, according to Insider's Kevin Webb.
"I Love You Colonel Sanders"/KFC

Source: Insider

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The next year, Lifetime made a movie starring Mario Lopez as The Colonel in "Recipe for Seduction."

The next year, Lifetime made a movie starring Mario Lopez as The Colonel in "Recipe for Seduction."
A + E

Source: Insider

Things have been quiet on the Colonel Sanders front recently, but it's a safe bet that KFC will keep bringing him back around in some form.

Things have been quiet on the Colonel Sanders front recently, but it's a safe bet that KFC will keep bringing him back around in some form.
A mannequin of Colonel Sanders wears a mask at Kentucky Speedway in July 2020.Christopher Hanewinckel/USA Today Sports via Reuters

Do you have a story to share about a retail or restaurant chain? Email this reporter at mmeisenzahl@businessinsider.com.

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