Eric Violette: Hollywood Superstar, except not in Hollywood (nor very well-known)

Because television commercials are the most critical contribution that man has made to society since Offa of Mercia built a really good wall out of dirt--Good dirt walls are hard to come by, after all--I bear this planet's burden for highlighting the often overlooked television commercial work of otherwise unheralded actors.

Today's entry is Eric Violette. The talented French-Canadian actor does work that is at turns comic and strange, dramatic and ridiculous. Were we not living in an age where the avant-garde was passe', you might call him avant-garde. Were we not living in an age where the passe' is now considered avant-garde, well...you still might call him avant-garde.

Also, he speaks French. Yes, he's that good of an actor.

I highlight him today for his groundbreaking work in a trilogy of short films that redefine the ancient art of the television jingle.

That's right, he's the hero of the FreeCreditReport.com ads. And he's today's unsung television commercial star:



The important thread that ties the video tryptych together is that the pirate hat from the first commercial appears briefly in the back seat of the car in the final one. Thus the second ad is revealed as the wide-scoping bit, providing the large central frame that gives definition to the accompanying "bookends." Or maybe it is just a pirate hat in the back seat.