The Story Behind the Actress in the Prilosec Commercials

The Story Behind the Prilosec Commercial Actress

If you've watched television in the last few decades, chances are you've seen a commercial for Prilosec OTC starring a familiar redheaded actress. Her genuine smile and relatable stomach troubles have made her the face of the popular heartburn medication. But who is this unnamed actress that has graced our screens over the years? Let's take a closer look at the woman behind the Prilosec commercials.

Getting the Gig

The Prilosec commercial actress is Kathryn Joosten, a veteran comedic actress known for roles on popular shows like Desperate Housewives, The West Wing, and Scrubs. Though the trajectory of her acting career was non-traditional, Joosten possessed the perfect mix of comedic timing and authentic charm needed to be the Prilosec lady.

Joosten spent over two decades working as a psychiatric nurse before pursuing acting in her 40s. She started performing in community theater productions while working full-time as a nurse. In 1995, at the age of 56, Joosten relocated to Hollywood to pursue acting professionally. She landed small parts on shows like ER, Grace Under Fire, and Providence. Her big break came in 1999 when she was cast as the sharp-tongued secretary Mrs. Landingham on The West Wing. Joosten became a series regular and earned two Emmy awards for the role.

It was during her time on The West Wing that Joosten first began portraying the Prilosec lady in print and TV ads. Her age and relatable charm made her the perfect spokeswoman. Joosten's expressive face and comedic timing allowed her to hilariously convey the message of Prilosec OTC relieving heartburn symptoms. Her performances as the Prilosec lady led to her being cast in more comedic TV roles.

The Signature Character

As the Prilosec commercial actress, Joosten portrayed an everyday woman struggling with heartburn symptoms. In the early commercials, she engages in activities like shopping at the mall or attending a baseball game. The lighthearted commercials show her popping a Prilosec tablet when heartburn strikes. Joostens over-the-top animated facial expressions and deadpan delivery make the commercials highly memorable.

Part of what makes Joosten so perfect as the Prilosec lady is her innate ability to be amusing while remaining relatable. She expresses the familiar pain and irritation of heartburn in a way viewers can instantly identify with. Her humorous performances poke fun at minor health ailments in a good natured, family friendly way. Joostens blend of sincerity and exaggerated comedy brought the Prilosec lady to life.

The signature red wig Joosten sports in the commercials became a key part of the role. The fiery red hair makes her stand apart from the everyday women around her suffering from heartburn. It acts as a visual cue that lets viewers know the Prilosec lady is on their TV screen. Joostens Prilosec commercial character was so successful she continued portraying her for over a decade in both print and television ads.

A Versatile Character Actress

Though best known as the Prilosec lady, Joosten had a successful career as a character actress on many popular TV shows. One of her most notable roles was as the acerbic neighbor Karen McCluskey on Desperate Housewives from 2005 to 2012. She started as a guest star and was soon promoted to a series regular. Joosten received two Emmy nominations for the role. Karens sharp one-liners delivered in Joostens trademark deadpan made her a breakout character.

Joosten also recurred as the Presidents witty secretary Mrs. Landingham on both of Aaron Sorkins hit shows The West Wing and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. On Scrubs, she had a memorable four-episode run as the sarcastic patient Mrs. Tanner who causes trouble for J.D. Other notable appearances include roles on Ally McBeal, My Name is Earl, Two and a Half Men, and Dexter.

In addition to her extensive TV work, Joosten had a successful career performing on stage. She appeared in numerous plays at Chicagos famed Steppenwolf Theatre Company, including the original production of The Grapes of Wrath. Throughout her decades-long acting career, she constantly portrayed memorable, comedic characters that left a lasting impression.

Emmy-Winning Actress

The role that earned Joosten her greatest acclaim was as Karen McCluskey on ABCs megahit Desperate Housewives. As the brash, wisecracking neighbor on Wisteria Lane, Joosten always stole her scenes. She was promoted from guest star to series regular in 2009 at the age of 69.

Joosten received Outstanding Guest Actress Emmy nominations for the role in 2005 and 2007. She won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series twice, in 2005 and 2008. Joostens sharp comic timing and ability to deliver caustic lines warmly helped make Karen McCluskey one of the most beloved characters on Desperate Housewives.

During her Emmy acceptance speeches, Joosten charmingly poked fun at being an older actress in Hollywood. In 2005 she joked, This is pretty cool for a woman who started out as a 40-year-old, overweight, asthmatic, chain-smoking nurse. In typical self-deprecating fashion, she called herself the luckiest old broad in the world.

Joostens Emmy wins and nominations were the culmination of a remarkably successful acting career for someone who started so late in life. Her perseverance and talent allowed her to beat the odds in show business.

Later Life and Battle with Cancer

Tragically, while starring as the Prilosec lady and on Desperate Housewives, Joosten was privately battling lung cancer. She was a lifelong smoker who quit once she moved to Hollywood. However, the damage to her lungs had already been done.

Joosten was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2001 but didn't disclose her illness until she was in remission in 2005. She became a lung cancer advocate who encouraged others to quit smoking. Joosten said, "I'm not afraid to die, I'm afraid to die without having lived the life I wanted to lead.

She battled cancer for over a decade, even continuing to act while undergoing chemotherapy treatments. Joosten died from lung cancer at age 72 in 2012. Her final TV appearance was the season 7 finale of Desperate Housewives, which aired posthumously.

Even while facing cancer, Joosten brought joy to others through her acting. Her spunky, humorous performances as the Prilosec lady and Karen McCluskey created indelible pop culture characters. Joosten proved it's never too late to reinvent yourself and fulfill your dreams.

The Enduring Legacy of the Prilosec Lady

Though Kathryn Joosten sadly passed away over a decade ago, her alter ego the Prilosec lady lives on. A new redheaded actress portraying the Prilosec lady continues to be featured in print and TV ads. It's a testament to both the popularity of the character and Joosten's indelible charm in the role.

Joosten's comedic talents made the Prilosec lady a pop culture icon. Her memorable performances represent innovative pharmaceutical advertising at its best. The character gave a relatable face to the misery of heartburn in a humorous, engaging way. Joosten's work made complex medical terms simple and easy to understand.

It's rare for a pharmaceutical brand to be associated with a single iconic spokesperson for so many years. The Prilosec lady character pioneered a new form of creative, character-driven drug advertising. Joosten made the role her own and gave the Prilosec lady life for over a decade.

Joosten's legacy lives on through continued use of the Prilosec lady character she created. Though different actresses may play the part, Joosten will always be the OG Prilosec lady. Her talents as a performer made the character an enduring pop culture icon and advertising legend.

So next time you see that familiar redhead happily popping a Prilosec pill, take a moment to appreciate the talents of Kathryn Joosten. Her witty performances turned a minor drug commercial into an enduring piece of television history. Joostens Prilosec lady paved the way for inventive pharmaceutical advertising and remains iconic decades later.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.