Who is the actress in the Kohl’s new commercial?
A fresh face with a familiar warmth—Unveiling “Kohl’s Mom”
(By Carmichael Phillip)
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Summary
The actress in the Kohl’s new commercial is Ellie Kemper, who stars as the brand’s lovable “Kohl’s Mom” in the That’s How You Kohl’s campaign. In the ads, Kemper offers upbeat, relatable style advice and encouragement to shoppers as she showcases Kohl’s fashion and value—bringing warmth, humor, and authenticity to the retailer’s marketing message.
Meet the New Face of Kohl’s: Ellie Kemper
Kohl’s newest marketing star is none other than Ellie Kemper, who steps into her new role as the beloved “Kohl’s Mom.” This campaign introduces her as a friendly, fashion-savvy sidekick guiding busy families through shopping for life’s moments—whether it’s wedding guest attire, workwear, or everyday essentials.
In this spring and summer campaign, she embodies an upbeat and relatable personality, offering practical advice and heaping doses of charm. As the campaign continues, she was recently spotlighted again in a back-to-school rollout that brings back her signature humor and style.
Quick Facts
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Name: Ellie Kemper
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Role in Commercial: “Kohl’s Mom”
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Featured In: Kohl’s That’s How You Kohl’s advertising campaign
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Campaign Debut: Spring/Summer 2025
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Known For: The Office, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
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Character Traits in Ads: Upbeat, practical, stylish guide for shoppers
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Where You’ll See It: TV, social media, Kohl’s app, email, digital platforms
Why Ellie Kemper Was the Perfect Fit

Ellie Kemper isn’t just a talented actress—she’s a real-life parent, a comedian, and a style advocate. In a PEOPLE interview, she explained that playing Kohl’s Mom doesn’t feel like acting; it feels authentic.
She praised Kohl’s as a one-stop shop for families, offering fashion, home accents, and beauty products at accessible prices—elements she values both personally and professionally.
Her natural energy, warmth, and comedic timing make her an ideal fit to help the brand align with shoppers who are navigating real life—not looking for perfection, but practicality and joy.
What the Kohl’s Mom Campaign Looks Like
In her debut spot, Ellie dispenses compliments that feel like gold—telling a shopper “You look like you’re ready to walk the red carpet,” and encouraging others with simple affirmations like “You’re never too much”—complete with spontaneous dance moves.
The back-to-school campaign continues this vibe, featuring scenarios where she helps families navigate sales and styling dilemmas with humor and accessibility
Kohl’s Corporate. Her presence appears across television, digital platforms, social media, the Kohl’s app, and even email—becoming a consistent and friendly face of the brand.
Behind the Scenes: Filming with Ellie Kemper
According to PEOPLE, filming the campaign was a blast. It took place after hours in Kohl’s stores and felt like a slumber party among fellow parents and production crew. Scenes often ran late into the night with high energy and genuine camaraderie.
The outfits Ellie wore—like pieces from LC Lauren Conrad, Levi’s, Nine West, and athleticwear from FLX—reflected her personal balance of comfort and style. As a busy mom, she values fashion that works as hard as she does—functional, yet polished.
Ellie Kemper’s Background: More Than Just “Kimmy”
Born Elizabeth Claire Kemper on May 2, 1980, in Kansas City, Missouri, Ellie Kemper rose to fame through her roles in The Office (as Erin Hannon) and her Emmy-nominated lead in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
She’s since expanded her career to film (Bridesmaids, The Secret Life of Pets), Broadway (Peter Pan Goes Wrong), writing (her debut memoir My Squirrel Days), and hosting her podcast Born To Love.
Her public image—perennially positive, self-aware, funny, and real—aligns beautifully with Kohl’s goals of blending authenticity with approachable fashion.
Connecting with Audiences: What Resonates
What sets this campaign apart is its emotional resonance. Viewers identify with the multitasking mom, and Ellie delivers affirmation rather than persuasion. One viewer in a mom’s Facebook group shared that the line “You’re doing great” brought them to tears—it’s that potent.
Kohl’s isn’t just offering clothes—they’re offering comfort, style, and emotional support—a powerful trio in today’s marketing landscape.
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What commercials has Ellie Kemper been in?
FAQ: Ellie Kemper and the Kohl’s Commercial
Who is the woman in the new Kohl’s commercial?
The woman in the Kohl’s commercial is Ellie Kemper, playing the charismatic and relatable character known as “Kohl’s Mom.”
What is the Kohl’s Mom campaign?
The Kohl’s Mom campaign (That’s How You Kohl’s) features Ellie Kemper helping customers navigate fashion and shopping moments with humor, encouragement, and practical style advice.
Why did Kohl’s choose Ellie Kemper for the ads?
Kemper was chosen for her natural warmth, comedic timing, and relatable persona—as both an actress and a real‑life parent, she embodies the friendly, practical vibe Kohl’s wants to communicate.
What commercials has Ellie Kemper appeared in before?
In addition to this Kohl’s campaign, Kemper has appeared in various ads over the years, including spots for Chase Freedom Unlimited and AT&T Business Internet.
What catchphrases or taglines are in the Kohl’s ads with Ellie Kemper?
Some memorable lines in the commercials include compliments like “You look like you’re ready to walk the red carpet” and affirmations like “You’re never too much,” adding a friendly and uplifting tone to the ads.
Where can I see the Kohl’s commercial with Ellie Kemper?
The commercials air on broadcast TV, social media platforms, the Kohl’s app, and are featured in digital ads across Kohl’s marketing channels.
Summary: Why Ellie Kemper “Kohl’s Mom” Works So Well
What’s Working Why It Matters
Relatability Ellie embodies the “mom next door,” making the ads feel authentic and comforting.
Emotional Connection Lines like “You’re doing great” strike a chord—transforming the ad into affirmation.
Brand Alignment Her real style and approach reflect Kohl’s values—budget-conscious, family-oriented, and fashionable.
Visibility & Cohesion As “Kohl’s Mom,” she bridges platforms—from TV to social media—bringing unified messaging.
In conclusion, the new face of Kohl’s is Ellie Kemper, affectionately reimagined as “Kohl’s Mom.” Her natural warmth, comedic flair, and authentic mom-energy aren’t just selling fashion—they’re building a feeling: that everyday shoppers are seen, supported, and stylish all at once.
Whether it’s for school runs or slumber-party-style shopping shoots, Ellie has helped Kohl’s craft a campaign that doesn’t just look good—it feels good, too.
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