You can't be born a Hollywood star: a place on the red carpet has to be earned, and sometimes that means taking on roles that are far from the world of blockbuster success. In other cases, adverts provide a little extra cash for a far shorter time commitment than shooting a full feature film. Either way, these '80s celebs would probably rather leave their sponsored time on the small screen behind...
© Getty ImagesSammy brought his signature cool to the small screen for Alka-Seltzer
Sammy Davis Jr. – Alka-Seltzer
Ocean's 11 star Sammy Davis Jr. was a big name at the box office but that didn't mean he wasn't up for a smaller assignment on the side.
In the late '70s and into the '80s, Sammy could be spotted dancing to Alka-Seltzer's 'Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz' tagline – what a relief it must have been to get that check through.
© CBS via Getty ImagesMatt LeBlanc starred in a ketchup advert, rather than representing blue-tinted cosmetics
Matt LeBlanc – Heinz
© Getty ImagesMadonna starred in Pepsi's 1989 advert that also debuted her track 'Like a Prayer'
Madonna – Pepsi
Pepsi have had some iconic actors representing their brand over the years but one of the high points has to be Madonna's 1989 advert.
The singer goes time-travelling and swaps places with her childhood self. The first time the advert aired it debuted 'Like a Prayer' to the public but once the official music video broadcast on MTV, complete with burning crosses, Pepsi soon pulled the advert.
© Ron Galella Collection via GettyAt the height of his stardom, Michael J. Fox climbed out of a window to top up his Pepsi supply
Michael J. Fox – Diet Pepsi
Back to the Future star Michael J. Fox finds himself in a pickle as the leading man in Diet Pepsi's 1987 advert. When a beautiful woman turns up on his doorstep requesting the diet soda, Michael gets caught short and climbs out of his window to pick up some more pop.
Returning soggy and with another Diet Pepsi request waiting, it showed off a decidedly limited portion of the Family Ties' acting skills.
© Getty ImagesGlenn Frey was, at least while on screen, a big fan of Holiday Spa's Health Club
Glenn Frey – Holiday Spa
The late Glenn Frey, of Eagles fame, showed off his impressive physique during the '80s in an intense workout sequence, simultaneously heaping praise on the Holiday Spa Health Club.
The theatrical editing and absence of an Eagles track, reportedly due to a shortage of funds on Holiday Spa's end, made this one Glenn was likely keen to keep in his past.
© Getty ImagesDavid and Tina teamed up for an all-star performance for Pepsi
David Bowie & Tina Turner – Pepsi
It was another all-star casting for Pepsi with Labyrinth's David Bowie and star singer Tina Turner. The pair teamed up for a plot that sees David, with a couple of swigs of Pepsi, try to build his own dream woman.
Setting his Pepsi can down on the machine's scanner leads to the system sparking, and Tina Turner emerges, instantly turning Bowie into a dapper ladies' man .
