Isaiah Mustafa may be the new David Leisure. You remember Leisure: Joe Isuzu, the smarmy car pitchman who could catch a speeding bullet in his lying teeth. Back in the mid 1980s, the little-known actor turned his starring role in a series of funny commercials into a long run on NBC’s sitcom, Empty Nest. Now Mustafa, who’s famous as Old Spice’s personification of studly virility, is swan-diving into bigger projects. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Mustafa announced that he’ll portray a cop in the upcoming Jennifer Aniston-Jason Bateman comedy, Horrible Bosses. Throw in a talent agreement with NBC, a guest spot on Chuck, and a role in Tyler Perry’s next movie, and Mustafa’s future smells pretty sweet.
The question, of course, will be whether he’ll ever be accepted playing a character other than the one that made him famous. For Leisure, Joe Isuzu was both a blessing and a curse, since his range became limited when so many of his subsequent characters incorporated Isuzu’s unapologetic insincerity. Mustafa has expressed an interest in playing superhero Luke Cage, and if he wants to eventually be considered for that type of action role, he’s going to have to be able to make audiences forget what made him famous in the first place.
According to Mustafa, he has a few months left on his Old Spice deal. Should he be hoping they call him to make another ad, or should he play hard-to-find, as repeated performances as the ultimate man could make it harder for him to be accepted in other roles?
Good for him! He deserves all he’s getting.
I’m on a horse”
“and Mustafa’s future smell’s pretty sweet.”
Really,EW? Your columnists can’t even use proper grammar. Smells is not possessive.
I own my smell, I consider that possessive. (Good catch by the way!)
Hee hee, “Two tickets to that thing you love”
This guy will go far, I’m sure. Just don’t forget David Leisure’s classic turn as the soccer coach in “10 Things I Hate About You”!
Mustafa is no where near as annoying as Leisure. Leisure could not shed his persona, and had little depth. As long as Mustafa has depth as an actor (which as far as I can tell he does, since his Old Spice character is larger-than-life in contrast to his real personality), and good character development, audiences will love him. This article is an unfair comparison.
this guy seems like a good actor…but, it’s def the writing, editing, and directing that make this commercial any good. i’d love for THOSE people to get some recognition.
I don’t disagree, but from what he’s said in public statements, the character and the delivery was Mustafa’s. The original script was a fairly standard ad text, and Mustafa decided to deliver it in a stilted and funny way in his audition, which led to them re-writing for the ad. So, to some extent, the concept is actually Mustafa’s.
This article is now diamonds!
Editors, please: “Smell’s pretty sweet?” Ugh.
Isaiah Mustafa is the new Lucky Vanous, remember his Diet Coke ad in the 90′s. Two very hot guys!
He should drop the contract as quickly as he can. The second commercial already isn’t as good as the first and this type of iconic character will only cause him to be typecast if he doesn’t move on – and soon!
I’d say we have to see what he can do in another project. David Leisure played the same kind of character as his commercials. Let’s see how he does on Chuck.
Leisure was over the top fey. Isaiah is anything but. There is a difference if you hadn’t noticed.
So funny and Sugardaddieshookup was good