Old
Spice Sailor -
Clean-shaven,
nice smelling sailor from the Old Spice After Shave Lotion and
Cologne commercials aired on television during the 1970s and
1980s. In each
commercial, a sailor wearing a dark blue wool jacket and a cap
saunters off a ship carrying a duffle bag over the shoulder. His
destination is always a good looking woman. As the handsome yet
rugged sailor walks through the streets, we hear an anonymous
whistler softly whistling the Old Spice theme song. Late night
talk show host Johnny Carson spoofed the commercial on one of
his Mighty Carson Art Players skits. Instead of searching out a
beautiful woman, the sailor ends up with a guy. Procter & Gamble
Co. (PG ) acquired Old Spice in 1990.
TRIVIA NOTE:
The Old Spice jingle was written by Ginger Johnson. He wrote a
number of very successful advertising jingles, including several
for Coca-Cola.
The whistling
melody and harmonica playing in the Old Spice commercials was
provided by legendary Jazz guitarist, whistler and harmonica
player Jean "Toots" Thielemans. As a harmonica player, Toots is
featured on movie soundtracks like Midnight Cowboy and
Sugarland Express. He also plays on and wrote the theme
to PBS's SESAME STREET and his whistling was featured in opening
credits of THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW/CBS/1960-68. In 2002 Toots
celebrated his 89th birthday.
John Bennett Perry is the actor who
played the role of the Old Spice sailor.
Born January 4, 1941
John Perry is the father of actor Matthew Perry (from NBC's
FRIENDS).
A native of Williamstown, MA, John
Perry studied psychology and music at St. Lawrence University.
His
film and television acting career included the movies Midway
(1976), Only When I Laugh (1981),
I Married Wyatt Earp (1983),
The Other Lover (1985), Independence (1987),
False Witness (1989), and Fools Rush In (1997). He
also had regular TV roles
on such series as POLICE STORY,
240-ROBERT (lead
role),
PAPER DOLLS,
FALCON CREST (during 1985-86), and
on
the daytime soap opera DAYS OF OUR LIVES, as well as
guest-starring roles on CIVIL WARS, MURDER SHE WROTE, and SILK
STALKINGS. 
