Who plays Pat in the Toyota commercials?
Unmasking the actor behind the regional “Pat” campaign
(By Carmichael Phillip)
The “Pat” Campaign: A Regional Advertising Phenomenon
Toyota’s national advertising is well known — but in many local markets, dealers run regionally tailored spots. One of the more enduring and memorable regional campaigns is the “Pat” campaign, especially in the Phoenix / Valley Toyota Dealers market. Over many years, viewers in that region have come to identify with “Pat” — an overenthusiastic, charismatic Toyota fan / buyer character — popping up in a variety of comedic scenarios.
In a recent article, LBBOnline described the campaign:
“Three new spots for Valley Toyota’s long running ‘Pat TV’ campaign continue the tradition of showcasing the comedic talents of improvisational actor Pat Finn.”
So, who plays Pat? Let’s dive deeper.
Pat Finn: The Man Behind the Character
The actor behind “Pat” is Pat Finn, a seasoned comedic actor and improviser. Several sources confirm his long-standing association with the Toyota-Pat persona.
Pat’s background includes extensive work in improv, sketch, and character work. He’s known in the comedy world for his sharp improvisational instincts, which shine through in many of the Pat commercials, where he often riffed or deviated from script to enhance humor.
Over the years, Pat and his creative team — particularly director Jordan Brady and the agency behind Valley Toyota — have built a kind of “Pat Cinematic Universe,” with recurring themes, callbacks, and evolving comedy bits.
Career Highlights & Acting Resume of Pat Finn
Pat Finn is not exclusively a commercial actor. He has an eclectic résumé in television, film, and improvisational theatre. According to Brothers Ink, he has appeared on ABC’s The Middle, among other shows.
His credits include roles on Seinfeld, Murphy Brown, 3rd Rock From the Sun, Friends, That ’70s Show, The Drew Carey Show, The King of Queens, and How High (film), among others.
Pat’s approach often draws on his improv roots. In an interview with his director, Jordan Brady, his ability to bring spontaneous humor to the set is highlighted:
“Scripts often leave room for his creative idiosyncrasies to manoeuvre and roam freely.”
Hence, Pat Finn is not just “some guy in a car ad” — he’s a trained comedic actor whose improvisational flair helps make those local Toyota commercials memorable.
Why the Campaign Works: Comedy, Character & Local Flavor
What makes the “Pat” commercials stick with audiences?
Consistency over time: The campaign has run for well over a decade. Some reports mention that Pat has been the face of the campaign for 17 years.
Improvisation & uniqueness: Because Pat is allowed to riff, each spot retains some freshness and spontaneity. The comedic tension between absurdity and the familiar (car buying, dealership tropes) is a strength.
Local identity: These commercials aren’t national. They are aimed at local markets (e.g. the Phoenix area). That means the character “Pat” becomes part of the local media fabric and the dealer identity.
Relatable exaggeration: Pat is exaggerated — overeager, sometimes awkward, hyper-specific in his love for Toyota — but his energy is part of the joke. That gives viewers a familiar reference point to laugh at.
Strong creative partnership: The collaboration between Pat, director Jordan Brady, and the ad agency has been stable and refined over many years, enabling evolving character arcs and stronger consistency.
Common Questions & Misattributions
Q: Is “Pat” a national Toyota spokesperson?
A: No — Pat Finn’s portrayal of “Pat” is part of a regional / dealer-level campaign (e.g. Valley Toyota Dealers). It’s not part of Toyota’s nationwide branding or the “Let’s Go Places” national campaign.
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Q: Who plays Mrs. Pat?
A: In the commercials, “Mrs. Pat” is played by Kristen O’Meara.
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Q: Have people misidentified Pat?
A: There is some speculation in online forums. A Reddit post suggests, “Pat lives in AZ … he was Joe Mayo on Seinfeld.”
That’s referencing an episode role of Pat Finn (he appeared as Joe Mayo in Seinfeld).
But the mainstream, verified sources (industry sites, ad agencies, trade reports) all confirm it is Pat Finn.
Impact & Legacy of the “Pat” Campaign
Because the “Pat” commercials are regional and often rely on humor rather than big celebrity name value, their success is measured in brand recognition and local recall rather than national reach. In the Phoenix media market, “Pat” is recognizable — viewers call him “that Toyota guy.”
As one article notes:
“The reason character comedy works is because the person is a heightened version of someone we know.”
Over 17 years, the “Pat” campaign has become part of the local advertising texture — a recurring joke, a familiar face, a kind of local celebrity. Even media coverage frames Pat as a creative asset, noting how he and his director “play off each other” and build internal lore.
In interviews, Pat Finn is described as “an enigma” — interesting because while many see his face in commercials, few know details about his everyday life, making the boundary between the character and the actor part of the intrigue.
Moreover, for other dealers considering local character campaigns, “Pat” is often cited as a successful example of balancing humor, consistency, and community engagement.
Conclusion: Pat Finn – the Comedic Engine Behind the Toyota Spokes-Character
If you’ve seen the “Pat” Toyota commercials — especially around Phoenix or the Valley markets — now you know: Pat is played by Pat Finn, a veteran improv actor and comic whose skills help make that regional campaign memorable and long-lived.
His career beyond those commercials is diverse — television, film, and improv stages. Within the local ad sphere, though, he’s become an icon of how a dealer-level campaign can develop its own brand personality.
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