“Extra crispy isn’t just a product, it’s a lifestyle,” says KFC’s brand-new “Extra Crispy” Colonel Sanders, played by the perpetually suntanned George Hamilton, who is still alive and kicking it at 76-years-young, despite all that we know about skin cancer these days. Hamilton is the latest in a veritable revolving door of Colonels, who in the past have been played by Norm Macdonald, Jim Gaffigan, and Darrell Hammond — the latter of whom was pretty bummed out about being replaced.
Say what you will, but at least this Colonel is age-appropriate. Why Hollywood always gotta be giving Colonel work to these younger fellas, am I right?
Hamilton will be advertising KFC’s $5 and $20 Fill Ups throughout the campaign, which starts this Sunday. A press release explains the obvious reason he was the perfect choice for the role.
“Just like no one person could play the Colonel, no one Colonel can sell both Original Recipe and Extra Crispy fried chicken,” said Kevin Hochman, KFC US Chief Marketing Officer. “And no actor was more qualified to play our Extra Crispy Colonel than a very tan George Hamilton.”
“I like to think that I know a thing or two about being extra crispy,” added Hamilton. “It didn’t take long for me to get into character as the Extra Crispy Colonel. One could argue that my entire career has been leading up to this role,” he said with a wink.
George Hamilton complements Extra Crispy KFC chicken almost as well as gravy complements a bowl of slop with mashed potatoes and cheese and fried chicken pieces in it. It just makes sense.
