Billy Hardwick - Miller High Life Beer Commercial (1969)

Very interesting bit of history from Chris Hardwick (of Attack of the Show and Singled Out fame among other things):

My dad, Billy Hardwick, was one of the greatest professional bowlers of all time. Believe it or not, in the 60s that was actually a pretty cool thing. This was the first beer commercial done by a professional athlete (yes, bowlers are athletes). After this, though, they mandated that only retired athletes could do them so that it wouldn't send the wrong message, like "Drinking makes you a champion."

The 6-7 split he picks up the commercial was one he had picked up the day before to win a tournament. Apparently, the shot in the commercial was the second take.

My favorite tidbit about this is by far that fact that he was supposed to have lines and then take a swig, but quickly got too hammered after several takes. See, Lucy Ricardo's "Vitameatavegemin" sketch actually happened to someone, and that someone was my dad.

Via Chris's podcast with Adam Carolla

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