Darth Vader Super Bowl commercial: What happens to child stars in ads?

2. John Gilchrist – Life cereal (1972)

Tom Soblik/Newscom/File
The original finicky "Mikey", John Gilchrist, is back to help Life cereal relaunch its legendary commercial in this 2000 file photo. Mr. Gilchrist went on to become an ad executive.

Mr. Gilchrist played "Mikey," the finicky five-year-old who hated everything, but loved Life cereal when his older brothers (Gilchrist's real brothers) foisted it on him. The 1972 TV commercial became a classic that ran for 12 years. In 2000, Gilchrist reprised the role in a Life commercial, but at last sighting was an ad executive for ESPN in New York.

2 of 5
You've read 3 of 3 free articles. Subscribe to continue.
CSM logo

Why is Christian Science in our name?

Our name is about honesty. The Monitor is owned by The Christian Science Church, and we’ve always been transparent about that.

The Church publishes the Monitor because it sees good journalism as vital to progress in the world. Since 1908, we’ve aimed “to injure no man, but to bless all mankind,” as our founder, Mary Baker Eddy, put it.

Here, you’ll find award-winning journalism not driven by commercial influences – a news organization that takes seriously its mission to uplift the world by seeking solutions and finding reasons for credible hope.

Explore values journalism About us