The Short Answer: It Depends on the Year
Head & Shoulders, one of the most recognized shampoo brands globally, has featured a variety of high-profile personalities over the years. When someone asks, “Who is the guy that does the Head and Shoulders commercial?” the answer depends on which commercial you’re referring to.
Some of the most famous male faces of the brand include:
Troy Polamalu (NFL Hall of Famer)
Patrick Mahomes (NFL MVP, Kansas City Chiefs)
Joe Keery (Actor, Stranger Things)
Shoulders Himself — a fictional character voiced by comedian Pete Gardner
Each brought a unique spin to the product’s campaign — whether it was football toughness, comedic timing, or quirky charm.
“You never forget a Head & Shoulders ad — they’ve always had this mix of absurd humor and star power,” said branding expert Carly Simmons in AdAge.
Troy Polamalu: The Long-Haired Legend Who Started It All
If there’s one man most synonymous with Head & Shoulders commercials, it’s Troy Polamalu. The former Pittsburgh Steelers safety, known for his luscious, flowing hair, became the brand’s ambassador in 2009.
His football skills combined with his distinctive mane made him a natural fit for a dandruff shampoo. Polamalu’s partnership with Head & Shoulders led to some of the most iconic and humorous ads of the decade.
“They say don’t tackle hair like this. But I did — and I kept it clean with Head & Shoulders,” Polamalu quipped in a 2011 spot.
He remained the face of the brand for nearly a decade and helped transition Head & Shoulders from a functional product to a pop culture moment.
Patrick Mahomes: The Quarterback Who Shared the Spotlight
In the early 2020s, Head & Shoulders ushered in a new era with Patrick Mahomes, the NFL superstar quarterback. Rather than replacing Polamalu, the brand leaned into the unexpected chemistry between the two and created a dual-character campaign.
One of the most memorable series featured Mahomes and Polamalu engaging in humorous rivalries over “hair vs. scalp,” driving home the shampoo’s dual-action formula.
“Hair has always been my thing,” Mahomes joked in an interview. “But going toe-to-toe with Troy? Let’s just say I brought my A-game — and my conditioner.”
The commercials were well-received for their chemistry, humor, and clever integration of product benefits.
“Shoulders” the Character: Played by Pete Gardner
Another standout face (and voice) of Head & Shoulders isn’t even a real person — it’s the fictional character known as Shoulders, portrayed by Pete Gardner, best known for his role as Darryl on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
In these spots, Pete Gardner plays a talking pair of anthropomorphic shoulders (yes, literally), giving life to a series of surreal, comedic commercials that brought a new twist to personal care advertising.
“I’m the guy who holds it all together. Hair up top, dandruff below — I see it all,” says Shoulders in a 2022 spot.
The “Shoulders” character helped Head & Shoulders refresh its branding for younger audiences and brought a wacky, almost cartoon-like personality to the ads.
Joe Keery and the Short-Lived Celebrity Blitz
In between long-term partnerships with NFL stars, Head & Shoulders ran a campaign in 2020 featuring Joe Keery, known for playing Steve Harrington in Stranger Things. Known for his hair both on and off-screen, Keery’s inclusion was a natural fit.
His campaign didn’t last long but made waves on social media, especially among fans of the Netflix series.
“Joe Keery’s hair should have its own agent,” joked one Instagram commenter during the ad’s release.
The commercial emphasized style over sports, leaning more into the aesthetics of healthy hair than the technical performance of the shampoo.
The Strategy Behind the Casting
Why does Head & Shoulders use such a rotating cast of male celebrities and comedians? The answer lies in the brand’s dual-targeting approach: they market to both men and women, often by leveraging athletic credibility and humor.
Athletes give the brand trust, especially for men who want function-first results.
Comedians and quirky characters allow the brand to stay fresh and fun.
Actors like Keery help bridge younger, style-conscious consumers.
“We want to remind people that healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp — and we want to entertain them while we do it,” said Procter & Gamble spokesperson Jenna Wallace in a 2021 press release.
This combination keeps the brand relevant across a wide age range and market demographic.
Social Media and Fan Reactions
Each time a new “Head & Shoulders guy” is introduced, fans take to social media with strong opinions.
Some fan reactions over the years:
“Troy is the GOAT of shampoo commercials. No one else comes close.” – @SteelHairFan (Twitter)
“I love Mahomes, but his delivery is kinda awkward — in a funny way.” – Reddit user u/ChiefScalp
“Whoever plays the talking shoulders needs an Emmy. Seriously.” – YouTube commenter
The variety of opinions speaks to the success of the rotating casting — there’s someone for everyone.
Behind the Scenes: Making a Head & Shoulders Commercial
According to crew interviews in AdWeek, Head & Shoulders ads are typically shot in a single day using green screen effects, multiple camera setups, and improvisation-heavy dialogue for comedic ads.
“Polamalu’s hair had its own handler,” joked a crew member. “We had to keep it perfect between takes.”
Patrick Mahomes, despite not being an actor, is said to be surprisingly natural in front of the camera — though he admitted to needing several takes during their first shoot.
Comedian Pete Gardner reportedly improvised much of his “Shoulders” dialogue, resulting in some of the brand’s funniest ad spots to date.
Are These Ads Actually Effective?
Head & Shoulders has seen steady sales growth with every major celebrity campaign. According to Nielsen reports, after the launch of the Mahomes/Polamalu joint campaign, sales rose 11% in the first quarter of 2020.
Brand loyalty is also strong. Surveys show:
72% of respondents remembered the Mahomes/Polamalu ad.
64% associated the ad with effective dandruff treatment.
59% said the humor increased their likelihood of purchasing.
“Humor plus hair care equals sales — and we’ve proven that,” said brand director Emily Zhang.
Will There Be a New “Guy” for Head & Shoulders?
As of 2025, Patrick Mahomes still appears in the most recent commercials, though some newer, younger influencers have been teased in social media teaser campaigns. It’s likely the brand will continue to evolve with the cultural moment — balancing trusted veterans with fresh faces.
Speculation online includes:
Travis Kelce (Mahomes’s teammate) possibly joining the campaign
TikTok influencers or Esports figures representing the brand’s move into younger markets
Comedians like Eric André who could take the absurdist humor even further
Whatever comes next, one thing is certain: Head & Shoulders will keep making us laugh — and making our hair look great.
Conclusion: More Than Just Shampoo, It’s a Legacy of Laughter and Lather
So, who is the guy that does the Head and Shoulders commercial?
Well, he could be a Hall of Fame football player like Troy Polamalu, a current NFL MVP like Patrick Mahomes, a comedic genius like Pete Gardner, or even a beloved actor like Joe Keery. Each one brought something different to the campaign — but all contributed to Head & Shoulders becoming one of the most recognizable and entertaining brands in advertising.
Whether you remember the commercials for their hair, humor, or both — it’s clear the brand knows how to pick the right “guy” for the moment.
Next time you’re in the shampoo aisle, just remember — there’s a whole lineup of hilarious, high-performing “guys” behind that bottle.
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