What commercial is Chris Witaske in?
Exploring his role in the Progressive “Dr. Rick” ad campaign and more
(By Carmichael Phillip)
Chris Witaske as “Tom Pritchard” in Progressive’s Dr. Rick campaign
One of the most prominent commercial roles Chris Witaske has is in the Progressive Insurance advertising campaign, where he portrays Tom Pritchard, the often exasperated client or foil in their “Dr. Rick” commercials.
In the 2024 “Weather” spot, Witaske appears alongside Bill Glass in a scenario where a group debates whether rain is coming — Dr. Rick (played by Glass) quietly watches the conversation escalate, and Witaske’s character helps illustrate the absurdity of overthinking something simple.
Other Progressive spots featuring Witaske: Elevator, Social Listening, Photo Op
Chris Witaske appears in multiple variations of Progressive ads under the Dr. Rick umbrella:
In “Dr. Rick: Elevator”, Witaske plays “Dad,” interacting with the titular Dr. Rick in an elevator scenario.
In “Dr. Rick: Social Listening,” he takes on the role of Dad in a comedic scenario about social media and misunderstandings.
In “Dr. Rick: Photo Op,” he again appears in a supporting role to Dr. Rick, reacting to the chaos of unsolicited photos.
These ads are part of Progressive’s broader campaign about “turning into your parents” — humorous vignettes illustrating how people sometimes adopt the same behaviors they once mocked. Witaske’s role is often as the person who’s kind of in the mix, expressing skepticism, confusion, or serving as a grounded counterpoint to Dr. Rick’s interventions.
Why Progressive cast Witaske for this role?
Chris Witaske brings comedic timing, relatability, and a believable “everyman vs. quirky expert” dynamic — exactly what the Dr. Rick campaign needs. His background in comedy and ensemble work gives him the ability to react naturally to odd premises, anchoring them. His role as Tom Pritchard offers a familiar “voice of reason / skeptic” who allows audiences to laugh with him.
Also, given his increasing visibility (through shows like The Bear) and solid commercial credits, Witaske helps bring credibility to the ads without overshadowing the brand message.
Chris Witaske’s career beyond commercials
While the Progressive ads are a notable commercial presence, they are only a slice of Witaske’s career. He is best known for his recurring role as Pete on The Bear and his role as Chris Czajkowski on Love.
He also has appeared in New Girl, Arrested Development, Drunk History, Lady Bird, and more.
So, while many viewers recognize him from Progressive ads, his acting footprint is broader, spanning television, film, and voice work.
How viewers spotted Witaske in the ads
Fans of The Bear and Love began to notice the same face showing up in Progressive’s commercials. On Reddit, one user wrote:
“I keep seeing Chris Witaske in the Progressive insurance commercials.”
Online ad databases like iSpot also list Witaske’s commercials, and his IMDb page notes his recurring role in the Dr. Rick campaign, helping to confirm what many suspected.
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