The Super Bowl is about so many things. Who wins, of course, the Super Bowl halftime show and the commercials that brands spend millions of dollars on. One of the most popular Super Bowl commercials ever, “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” by Old Spice, debuted in 2010. Rolling Out spoke exclusively with actor Isaiah Mustafa, who plays the Old Spice Guy and appeared in a 2025 Super Bowl commercial.
“Believe me, that’s the first thing that you think of when you get a job like this, you think, oh, please let this go forever,” Mustafa said when asked if he thought he would be playing the Old Spice Guy 15 years later in commercials. “But no, you don’t believe it’s going to happen, but I just hope this one rides out.”
Mustafa’s Old Spice Guy appeared in a nostalgic Instacart commercial featuring Mr. Clean, the Kool-Aid Man, the Green Giant, the Energizer Bunny, Pillsbury Doughboy, and more.
The Old Spice Guy, who also doubles as a spokesman for the brand, hosted an Instagram Live Super Bowl Sunday afternoon with Old Spice’s account that reached close to 100,000 accounts worldwide. Those who joined the live asked questions that his No Sweat Predictor answered. Former NFL quarterback Nick Foles, who led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl LII victory over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots seven years ago, joined Mustafa’s Old Spice Guy in what foreshadowed the game. Other guests included comedian Adam W and sports personality Kay Adams.
As a brand, Old Spice continues to innovate with many new offerings, including men’s antiperspirant & deodorant timber with sandalwood, and gentleman’s blend lavender & mint, which is an aluminum-free deodorant.
Mustafa has made the Old Spice Guy iconic, from the shirt around his neck to riding a horse, to wearing a towel, and his unique voice and character.
If Mustafa looks familiar, there is a good reason. He stars as Detective John Sampson in the Amazon Prime series “Cross” opposite Aldis Hodge’s Detective Alex Cross.
