The Encyclopedia Britannica Kid

These ads ran endlessly on Nickelodeon in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, quickly becoming one of the most memorable and iconic ads of the era. After all, they’re amusingly self-aware and that kid is, uh, idiosyncratic (and he’s got that big report due on space). The actor is named Donovan Freberg, and he’s the son of legendary ‘50s ad man and novelty musician Stan Freberg (who provides the off-screen narration). I still hear this kid’s voice in my head when I hear the word “overkill.”

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