Calvert DeForest, advertising punch line

For a moment in the early ’90s, advertisers loved Calvert DeForest, aka Larry “Bud” Melman, the David Letterman regular who died this week at 85. I remember this 1-800-COLLECT spot in particular (it’s a Real Player file), where Calvert is suddenly revealed at the end. (It’s a shame you have to sit through 25 seconds of David Spade to get there.) DeForest also showed up in a couple of Tropicana Twister spots (also a Real Player file), rounding out an odd group that included John Ratzenberger, Lawanda Page, Betty White and Swoosie Kurtz. They don’t make ’em like that anymore. Via Television Obscurities.

—Posted by Tim Nudd

March 22, 2007 | Permalink