Lost in translation…? Hilarious Japanese commercials with western actors-part 1

The announcement that Quentin Tarantino recently starred in a Japanese Softbank commercial has been making headlines around the web this week, and I am still not quite sure why people are making such a big deal out of it. It’s no surprise that QT is somewhat well-versed in Japanese culture and no surprise that he enjoys hamming it up for the camera either. More to the point, I don’t think these goofy commercials are quite as detrimental to a celebrity’s reputation as it once was believed.

After YouTube and websites like Japander spread them across the internet for the whole world to see, and Bill Murray poked fun at the practice in Lost in Translation, it’s easy to see why the Hollywood elite shied away for a while. However, lately Japanese commercials seem to be back in vogue, and we are even starting to see domestic ads

becoming more acceptable as well. Are these foreign ads really any more embarrassing than the very regular Jamie Lee Curtis and her Activia yogurt commercials? Okay, yes… some of them are. After the jump, check out 15 of the weirdest and most memorable Japanese ads featuring well-known Hollywood actors and actresses!

15. Tommy Lee Jones – Suntory Boss Coffee

Tommy Lee Jones has done a crapload of commercials for Suntory coffee. In this one, he has an awkward encounter with an Akihabara maid!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4BjZTz3nDU&feature=player_embedded#

14. Edward Furlong – Hot Noodle

A young Edward Furlong using his fame to sell Hot Noodle. Sadly, nowadays he’d be lucky to get a gig like this.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN5pJ1juqaU&feature=player_embedded

13. Lucy Liu – Suntory Diet Beer

You wouldn’t see many celebrities advertising beer here in North America, much less female celebrities. But hey, it’s diet beer, so that’s okay!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54rb5uWhdyU&feature=player_embedded

12. Ben Stiller – Kirin Beer

Since Ben Stiller is a funny guy, this commercial almost comes off as an ironic comedy sketch where he is in on the joke. Almost.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bW_cHfnOXM&feature=player_embedded

11. Charlize Theron – Honda

Talking to puppets is never not an embarrassing situation… unless you’re on Sesame Street.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vM6JGI2RA4&feature=player_embedded

10. Sean Connery – Biogurt

Is that really Sean Connery’s voice?