Thirty years later, Christian Laettner can’t quite recall if he was aware of the commercial that featured Chris Farley recreating his iconic buzzer-beating shot against Kentucky in the 1992 NCAA Tournament. Laettner, who was playing in the NBA at the time, only remembers seeing it on ESPN one day. Farley, known for his physical comedy on “Saturday Night Live,” donned Laettner’s No. 32 jersey in the commercial that aired on the sports network.
The commercial was part of an ESPN campaign promoting college basketball, with Farley also portraying Michigan’s Rumeal Robinson and North Carolina’s Michael Jordan in other spots. The Laettner ad, however, stood out for its humor and Farley’s comedic genius.
The concept for the commercial came from Glenn Cole, a copywriter at Wieden+Kennedy advertising firm in Portland, Oregon. Cole, who was a big fan of Farley’s work, pitched the idea to the comedian, who immediately embraced it. The commercial was shot in Los Angeles, with Farley bringing his energy and enthusiasm to the set.
The day of shooting was memorable for Cole and the producer, Beth Barrett, who both got to know Farley on a personal level. Farley’s charisma and humor shone through during the shoot, making it a unique and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Farley’s performance in the commercial was a testament to his comedic talent and physical abilities. Despite his tragic passing in 1997, the memories of that day on set with Farley and the finished product of the commercial remain a special and cherished part of advertising history.
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