Brian Baker (actor)
Encyclopedia
Brian Edward Baker is an American actor best known for his recurring role as a trenchcoated spokesman in Sprint's television commercials
.
, where youngsters acted in, directed, edited, and produced amateur movies under adult supervision. In Chicago, Illinois, following college, he studied at The Second City
improvisational comedy troupe, while also working as a stand-up comedian
and in the Seanachai Theatre Company. To make ends meet he waited tables at John's Place in Chicago's Lincoln Park
neighborhood.
in 1999, and within six weeks, had landed the role that would be his big break—The Sprint Guy. Although originally contracted to appear in only 5 ads, the overwhelming popularity of the commercials led to Baker's appearance in 155 spots over six years. In 2001, People
named him to their "50 Most Beautiful People" list, dubbing him "Sexiest Pitchman". Soon Baker's image appeared all over Sprint's in-store signage, printed material, and even the company's website, providing a human face for an otherwise faceless telecommunications behemoth. The 2005 merger of Sprint and rival Nextel spelled the end of the commercials when the company implemented a "new look" campaign, and marketing for the new company was handed over to Nextel's ad agency.
series
M.Y.O.B.. He appears as Representative John Tandy on the television series, The West Wing
and guest-starred on episodes of Providence
, The Drew Carey Show
, and V.I.P.
, Pennsylvania
with his wife, actress Terry Farrell
of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
and Becker
. The couple married in September 2002 and have a child.
Baker is a 1985 graduate of William Tennent High School
in Warminster, Pennsylvania. He earned a Bachelor of Arts
in marketing
from Penn State University in 1990.
While at Penn State, Baker became a member of Phi Kappa Theta
.
Television advertisement
A television advertisement or television commercial, often just commercial, advert, ad, or ad-film – is a span of television programming produced and paid for by an organization that conveys a message, typically one intended to market a product...
.
Early career
Baker began his acting career at the age of eleven as a member of a now-defunct community film enthusiast club known as Cinekyd, based in Willow Grove, PennsylvaniaWillow Grove, Pennsylvania
Willow Grove is a census-designated place in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. A community in Philadelphia's northern suburbs, the population was 15,726 at the 2010 census. It is located in Abington Township and Upper Moreland Township...
, where youngsters acted in, directed, edited, and produced amateur movies under adult supervision. In Chicago, Illinois, following college, he studied at The Second City
The Second City
The Second City is a improvisational comedy enterprise which originated in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.The Second City Theatre opened on December 16, 1959 and has since expanded its presence to several other cities, including Toronto and Los Angeles...
improvisational comedy troupe, while also working as a stand-up comedian
Stand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy is a comedic art form. Usually, a comedian performs in front of a live audience, speaking directly to them. Their performances are sometimes filmed for later release via DVD, the internet, and television...
and in the Seanachai Theatre Company. To make ends meet he waited tables at John's Place in Chicago's Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park, Chicago
Lincoln Park, is one of the 77 community areas on Chicago, Illinois North Side, USA. Named after Lincoln Park, a vast park bordering Lake Michigan, the community area is anchored by the Lincoln Park Zoo and DePaul University...
neighborhood.
Sprint
Baker moved to Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
in 1999, and within six weeks, had landed the role that would be his big break—The Sprint Guy. Although originally contracted to appear in only 5 ads, the overwhelming popularity of the commercials led to Baker's appearance in 155 spots over six years. In 2001, People
People (magazine)
In 1998, the magazine introduced a version targeted at teens called Teen People. However, on July 27, 2006, the company announced it would shut down publication of Teen People immediately. The last issue to be released was scheduled for September 2006. Subscribers to this magazine received...
named him to their "50 Most Beautiful People" list, dubbing him "Sexiest Pitchman". Soon Baker's image appeared all over Sprint's in-store signage, printed material, and even the company's website, providing a human face for an otherwise faceless telecommunications behemoth. The 2005 merger of Sprint and rival Nextel spelled the end of the commercials when the company implemented a "new look" campaign, and marketing for the new company was handed over to Nextel's ad agency.
Television work
In addition to his work in commercials, Baker appeared on the short-lived NBCNBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
series
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
M.Y.O.B.. He appears as Representative John Tandy on the television series, The West Wing
The West Wing (TV series)
The West Wing is an American television serial drama created by Aaron Sorkin that was originally broadcast on NBC from September 22, 1999 to May 14, 2006...
and guest-starred on episodes of Providence
Providence (TV series)
Providence is an American drama series that aired on NBC starring Melina Kanakaredes. The show ran for five seasons from January 8, 1999 until December 20, 2002.-Synopsis:The show revolves around Dr...
, The Drew Carey Show
The Drew Carey Show
The Drew Carey Show is an American sitcom that aired on ABC from 1995 to 2004. The show was set in Cleveland, Ohio, and revolved around the retail office and home life of "everyman" Drew Carey, a fictionalized version of the actor....
, and V.I.P.
V.I.P. (TV series)
V.I.P. is an American action/comedy-drama series starring Pamela Anderson. Created by J. F...
Personal life
Baker lives in HersheyHershey, Pennsylvania
Hershey is a census-designated place in Derry Township, Dauphin County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The community is located 14 miles east of Harrisburg and is part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. Hershey has no legal status as an incorporated municipality...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
with his wife, actress Terry Farrell
Terry Farrell (actress)
Theresa Lee "Terry" Farrell is an American actress and former fashion model. She is perhaps best known for her performances in the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Becker.-Early life:...
of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
and Becker
Becker (TV series)
Becker is an American television sitcom that ran from 1998 to 2004 on CBS. Set in the New York City borough of The Bronx, the show starred Ted Danson as John Becker, a misanthropic doctor who operates a small practice and is constantly annoyed by his patients, co-workers, friends, and practically...
. The couple married in September 2002 and have a child.
Baker is a 1985 graduate of William Tennent High School
William Tennent High School
William Tennent High School is a public high school serving grades 9 through 12, located in Warminster, Pennsylvania, USA.The school is the only public high school serving Warminster and Upper Southampton townships and Ivyland borough in the Centennial School District, located in Bucks County,...
in Warminster, Pennsylvania. He earned a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in marketing
Marketing
Marketing is the process used to determine what products or services may be of interest to customers, and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business development. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business developments...
from Penn State University in 1990.
While at Penn State, Baker became a member of Phi Kappa Theta
Phi Kappa Theta
Phi Kappa Theta is a national social fraternity with over 50 chapters and colonies at universities across the United States. "Phi Kaps", as they are commonly referred to colloquially, are known for diversity among their brothers and a dedication to service.-History:Phi Kappa Theta was established...
.
External links
- "Sprint's Trench Coat Guy Loses His Connection, but He's Waiting for a Redial" The Washington Post, October 3, 2005