Who is the actress in the Dippity Do commercial?
By Carmichael Phillip
When you catch a vintage ad for Dippity Do hair-setting gel and find yourself wondering “Who’s the actress in that commercial?”, you’re in for a bit of nostalgia—and a dive into advertising history. Below, we’ll walk through the answer, the context, the actress’s career, and why this commercial especially has stayed in people’s minds.
The Answer: It’s Lori Saunders
The actress appearing in the mid-1960s Dippity Do commercial is Lori Saunders (born Linda Lou Sawyers) — best known for her role as “Bobbie Jo” Bradley on the popular TV series Petticoat Junction.
The specific commercial in question is often dated to 1965 or 1966 in vintage commercials archives that attribute it to Saunders.
For instance, RetroJunk lists a 1965 Dippity-Do commercial “featuring Lori Saunders” for setting gel.
Retro Junk
Thus, if you’ve seen the ad with the line “It holds and holds and holds!” — that’s her.
Background: Lori Saunders & Her Career
“Petticoat Junction” era Lori Saunders interview / clip
To give more context: Lori Saunders (born June 12, 1941) is an American actress whose prominent role was on the TV sitcom Petticoat Junction (1963–70). She joined the cast in 1965, playing Bobbie Jo Bradley, the youngest of the Bradley daughters.
Her participation in commercials, such as the Dippity Do spot, leveraged her TV popularity — viewers who recognized her face would feel a connection to the product. The Dippity Do brand was big in the 1960s, offering strong-hold hair gel marketed to women who wanted “stylish control.”
Because she was already a known TV figure in that era, her presence in the Dippity Do commercial helped the brand tap into mainstream recognition and trust.
The Dippity Do Commercial: What It Showed & Why It Stuck
The commercial itself is classic 1960s: bright visuals, simple messaging, and a promise of strong hair control. It features Saunders applying the gel, then styling her hair with confidence, with the voice-over repeating the tag-line “It holds and holds and holds!” (or a variant thereof).
Why this commercial remains memorable:
The era: Hair-setting gels and structured hairstyles were very much in-vogue in the 1960s. The product addressed a cultural desire for controlled, styled hair.
The catch-phrase: “It holds and holds and holds!” is easy to remember and repeated across multiple variants of the ad.
The star power: With Lori Saunders as a recognizable face, it became easier for consumers to connect and remember the ad.
Nostalgia factor: For many people who grew up in that era (or later saw it as a “retro” piece), the commercial stands out. Websites dedicated to vintage ads (such as Reddit threads or RetroJunk) reference this specific spot.
So the combination of branding, star appeal, and era aesthetics made this commercial a standout in the Dippity Do stable.
Why It Matters & The Legacy of the Ad
1968 Dippity Do extra holding vintage commercial snippet
Beyond simply “who’s that actress?”, the ad holds significance for a few reasons:
It reflects marketing strategies of the time: Using a TV actress to endorse a consumer product, capitalizing on familiarity.
It showcases the evolution of hairstyling products: The 1960s were a peak era for strong-hold gels, sprays, and sculpted hair looks; Dippity Do was very much a part of that wave.
It contributes to the notion of “vintage brand memory”: Many people today recall the ad more than the product itself — demonstrating how advertising can have a lasting imprint.
It points to the cross-media nature of star endorsements: Saunders was a TV actress; by appearing in product commercials, she bridged entertainment and consumer marketing.
In modern discussions of vintage advertising, you’ll often see the Dippity Do ad cited in lists of memorable commercials of the era. For example, one blog about “Just Dippity Do It!” mentions how the Gel “introduced 1965” and retains cult memory among fans of retro ads.
How to Spot the Ad & What Versions Exist {style=”color:#461254;”}
If you’re trying to find the exact version you saw (or show someone else), keep these tips in mind:
The commercial is dated around 1965–1966. RetroJunk lists air date 1965 for a version with Lori Saunders.
The tag-line remains consistent: “It holds and holds and holds!” or “Extra Holding” depending on variant.
Visual cues: Bright mid-60s styling, set hair, often a happy suburban setting.
Variants with “Extra Holding” or “Setting Gel” occasionally surface; one is titled “1968 Dippity Do setting gel extra holding” on Facebook.
The actress is always identified in archival posts as Lori Saunders. If you see a commercial and the face doesn’t match, verify the product name/branding — there may be later versions with other talent.
So, if you’re curious or nostalgic and want to find the exact version you remember, looking for “Dippity Do setting gel Lori Saunders 1966” is a strong search term.
Final Thoughts
In summary: the actress in the Dippity Do commercial is Lori Saunders. Her participation in the ad anchored the product in TV-familiar territory, and the catch-phrase “It holds and holds and holds!” ensured memorability. While product lines evolve and new hair-care trends dominate today, this commercial holds a place in vintage advertising history.
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