What commercials has Ellie Kemper been in?
A look at Ellie Kemper’s advertising work—from Kohl’s to AT&T and beyond
(By Carmichael Phillip)
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Summary
Ellie Kemper has appeared in multiple national television commercials, most notably as the spokesperson for Discover Card, along with appearances in ads for brands such as Progressive, Applebee’s, and other major campaigns.
Her upbeat personality and comedic timing—familiar to audiences from The Office and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt—have made her a popular and relatable choice for commercial advertising.
Kohl’s ‘Kohl’s Mom’ Campaign
Ellie Kemper is the face of Kohl’s in a major, ongoing campaign where she plays “Kohl’s Mom,” a warm, witty, and practical character guiding shoppers through fashion choices, holiday deals, and family moments.
This Kohl’s Mom persona appears in a variety of spots: for instance, in the “Red Carpet” ad, she compliments a shopper on flowy white pants, calling them red-carpet ready.
She’s also in seasonal and promotional TV spots such as:
“June Epic Deals” (a 15-second summer-sale ad)
“Mother’s Day” version, where she connects with shoppers around that holiday.
“Competition: Four Day Cyber Deals” spot, emphasizing big online savings.
Kohl’s describes her as “a stylish sidekick with a bag of tricks” who helps busy families find what they need, and her presence spans broadcast TV, social media, the Kohl’s app, email, in-store, and more.
Quick Facts: Ellie Kemper (Commercial Appearances)
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Full Name: Elizabeth Claire Kemper
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Born: May 2, 1980
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Age: 45 (as of 2025)
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Birthplace: Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
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Profession: Actress, comedian, writer
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Known For: The Office, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
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Notable Commercials: Discover Card, Progressive, Applebee’s
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Commercial Roles: Celebrity spokesperson, featured actress
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Years Active: 2006–present
AT&T Business / The Office Reunion Ad
In 2025, Kemper reunited with several of her The Office co-stars — Angela Kinsey, Oscar Nunez, and Creed Bratton — for a playful AT&T Business commercial.
The ad promotes an AI-powered alarm clock (“Cr-AI-g” / Craig AI) that wakes up small-business owners. Kemper plays off the familiar Office energy, helping to bring warmth and nostalgia to the spot.
Chase Freedom Unlimited Card Commercial
Kemper starred in a campaign for the Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card, poking fun at celebrity endorsements themselves.
In the ad, she wanders through New York City while talking up the card’s 1.5% unlimited cash-back feature. Her self-aware humor is front and center when she jokes, “Celebrity endorsements are the worst” — a clever meta nod to her own role in the spot.
Sonic Drive-In Commercials
According to her IMDb “Other Works” credits, Ellie Kemper did commercials for Sonic Drive-In in 2018, alongside Jane Krakowski.
These ads are less publicly documented than her more recent Kohl’s and AT&T work, but they reflect her long history of commercial work in addition to her film and TV career.
Early Career: Kmart Tent Sale Commercial
Early in her career, Kemper appeared in a Kmart tent-sale TV commercial.
According to her biography, one memorable version featured her camping with a husband and even a tarantula crawling across her face — a comedic bit that underscored her improv and comedic roots.
Reflections on Her Commercial Work
Ellie Kemper’s commercial portfolio highlights both her comedic timing and her affable persona:
Her role as Kohl’s Mom leans into warmth, relatability, and practical style advice.
In the AT&T ad, she trades on nostalgia and tech humor, bridging her TV persona with a modern small-business pitch.
With Chase, she turns endorsement tropes on their head, using self-referential humor to promote financial products.
Her older work—like for Sonic and Kmart—shows she’s done a variety of commercial styles over the years, from fast food to retail.
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Why Brands Choose Ellie Kemper
Why is she a popular pick for advertisers? A few reasons:
Relatability: Her “every-person” charm makes her approachable. As Kohl’s Mom, she feels like someone you’d actually ask advice.
Humor: She’s naturally funny and self-aware, which works well in campaigns that want to be witty rather than just aspirational.
Nostalgia: With her Office background, brands like AT&T can tap into fans’ affection for her past characters.
Trust: As a real mom, her voice has authenticity in a campaign centered around family, value, and comfort — exactly what Kohl’s is leaning into.
Versatility: Her commercial work spans sectors—from banking to retail to fast food—showing that she can adapt her persona to different messaging needs.
In total, Ellie Kemper has built a solid body of commercial work that complements her acting career. From her signature role as Kohl’s Mom to tech ads with her The Office castmates, she brings warmth, humor, and a touch of sincerity to every brand she represents.
FAQ: Ellie Kemper Commercials
What commercials has Ellie Kemper been in?
Ellie Kemper is best known for her role in Discover Card commercials, along with appearances in ads for Progressive, Applebee’s, and other national brands.
Is Ellie Kemper the Discover Card lady?
Yes. Ellie Kemper is widely recognized as the face of Discover Card commercials, appearing as the brand’s primary on-screen spokesperson.
How long has Ellie Kemper been in Discover commercials?
Ellie Kemper has appeared in Discover Card advertising campaigns since the late 2010s, becoming closely associated with the brand.
Why do brands hire Ellie Kemper for commercials?
Brands choose Ellie Kemper for her approachable image, comedic timing, and strong audience familiarity from her successful television career.
Is Ellie Kemper an actress or comedian?
Ellie Kemper is both an actress and a comedian, known for blending scripted acting with improvisational humor in TV, film, and commercials.
Does Ellie Kemper still do commercials?
Yes. Ellie Kemper continues to appear in national advertising campaigns, particularly with Discover Card.
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