Bud Light Guy
- Johnny, "The Bud Light Guy" (Rob Roy Fitzgerald) was a
stubbly-faced moocher who snagged Bud Light beers from his
family, girlfriend and ever a beer deliveryman with the now
classic phrase "I love you, Ma-a-a-n!" on a series of commercial
spots that debuted in the spring of 1995. In one commercial
Johnny went fishing with his father and brother. Having finished
his own supply of Bud Light Beer, Johnny cozied up to his father
and in a bogus attempt at bonding says "I love you, Ma-a-a-n!"
When his father says "Forget it, Johnny", the beaten but not
defeated Johnny used the same line on his brother, but to no
avail. The Johnny character made two cameo appearances on David
Letterman's CBS late night talk show in the fall of 1995
spoofing his character's affectionate but insincere commercial
catchphrase. Before finding success in commercials actor Roy
Fitzgerald was a defensive back for the University of Missouri
who was later signed by the NFL's St. Louis Cardinals in 1977.
When he injured his hamstring, he abandoned football and headed
to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career which included a bit
part in the motion picture Thelma and Louise (1991) and a
guest shot on the legal drama MATLOCK in 1993 (People Weekly
1/8/96 p.116). TRIVIA NOTE: From 1977-1980 Bill Murray used the
soppy phrase "I love you, M-a-a-a-n!" during skits on NBC's late
night comedy show SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE.
