Does Anthony Anderson Do Commercials?

Does Anthony Anderson Do Commercials?

Exploring Anthony Anderson’s work in brand advertising

(By Carmichael Phillip)

Anthony Anderson is well known for his roles in television and film (for example, his starring role in Black-ish), but he also occasionally appears in commercials and brand campaigns. One of his more prominent commercial gigs was with T‑Mobile, including a Super Bowl commercial in which he appears alongside his mother.

These ad appearances demonstrate that Anderson is open to leveraging his public persona in marketing and endorsements, not just performing in scripted entertainment.

Here are several brand campaigns and commercials that feature Anthony Anderson:

T‑Mobile – “Team Anthony Anderson vs. Team Mama” (Big Game / Family Drama)
In one of his most visible ad roles, Anderson stars with his mother in a T‑Mobile spot promoting their 5G service.

This campaign plays on family dynamics and humor, with Anderson and his mom squabbling and even calling in NFL star Travis Kelce as a “ringer.”

T‑Mobile – “Quibi With Us”
Anthony Anderson also appeared in a T‑Mobile commercial promoting the inclusion of Quibi in certain plans, with a storyline involving video calling his mom and playful banter about her using Quibi.

Arby’s — BBQ / Fast Food Campaigns
In 2025, Arby’s tapped Anderson (alongside Cedric the Entertainer) for a new “AC Barbeque” campaign. The ads promote new BBQ sandwiches and lean heavily into humor and personality.

One of the Arby’s TV spots is called “One Sweet and One Spicy,” in which Anderson is credited as an actor in that commercial.

Another spot “This Is” features Anderson with the tagline “Arby’s Smoked BBQ Sandwiches” in a 15‑second ad.

Planters – Father’s Day / “#NutsForDad”
Anthony Anderson also starred in a distinctive Planters ad for Father’s Day, where he performs a rap called “Shake It Like a Dad” as part of the brand’s “#NutsForDad” campaign.

Smirnoff – Vodka / Lifestyle Ads
He has appeared in Smirnoff commercials, such as a 30‑second commercial titled “We Do Game Days” and another called “My Kitchen,” where the household scenario humor is featured.

PGA of America – “We Love This Game” campaign
While not a traditional product commercial, Anderson took part in a brand campaign for the PGA of America, appearing in a video titled “A Day With a Pro” as part of the “We Love This Game” initiative.

Taken together, these examples confirm that Anthony Anderson does, in fact, do commercials and brand work alongside his acting career.

While Anderson is certainly not exclusively a commercial actor, his brand appearances occur from time to time. Some observations about how and why he does them:

Selective brand alignment
Anderson’s commercials tend to match his public persona: humor, family dynamics, lifestyle, or food / beverage categories. The campaigns rarely place him in contrived, irrelevant contexts.

High-profile campaigns
His commercial work often surfaces in big media moments (e.g. Super Bowl ads) or with recognizable brands (T‑Mobile, Planters, Arby’s).

Cross‑promotion opportunity
Sometimes brand work dovetails with his visibility in entertainment, helping maintain or expand his public presence.

Personal investments
The Arby’s campaign, for instance, merged with a branded BBQ sauce line tied to his identity (Anthony’s Spicy Chipotle Smoke Sauce) as part of the AC Barbeque effort.

That said, Anderson’s commercial appearances are not on a constant or daily basis; they seem opportunistic and curated.

Public reaction to celebrity commercials (including those by Anderson) is often mixed. Some ads become memorable and beloved; others get criticism or backlash. Here’s what’s notable for Anderson’s cases:

Praise for humor and authenticity
Some audiences enjoy the family humor and playful dynamics in the T‑Mobile ads, especially the moments between Anderson and his mother.

Criticism about overuse / repetition
Because some of Anderson’s commercials (or voiceovers) play frequently in retail spaces or radio, some viewers or listeners express fatigue, complaining the ads run too often. (Notably, in forums people mention hearing his voice repeatedly in store announcements or diabetes campaign spots.)

Discomfort over mixed message
In some circles, people criticize the fact that Anderson appears promoting a diabetes awareness message or health campaign, and then appears in other campaigns (e.g. alcoholic beverage or lifestyle ad) that may seem contradictory to that health messaging.

Memorability / fracturing expectations
The Planters “Shake It Like a Dad” campaign got attention for its bold, quirky concept—some people liked it, others found it odd—but it generated buzz.

Overall, his commercial works generate conversation—both favorable and critical—which suggests they are impactful even if not universally embraced.

To answer the question: Yes, Anthony Anderson does commercials. His appearances in brand campaigns—including T‑Mobile, Arby’s, Planters, and Smirnoff—demonstrate that he occasionally steps into the role of pitchman or spokesperson in addition to his acting roles.

However, it’s not his main focus. These commercials are episodic and strategic, often tied to high-visibility moments or relevant brands. In many cases, the ads align with his personal or public identity—family, humor, food, lifestyle—rather than purely transactional partnerships.

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