Sharing the same space as Michael Jordan could both be an overwhelming experience and a challenge. The Chicago Bulls legend, as we know, was not only a legend himself but someone who also aimed at elevating his teammates. Keeping up with an athlete like His Airness could, without a doubt, be a challenge for many. Even so, you expect a personality change to some extent when even a star like MJ steps into someone else’s territory: camera acting. It turns out, however, that the 6x NBA champ left even the legend of acting Kevin Bacon in awe. So much so that the experience is still fresh in Bacon’s mind.
During an appearance on Complex, Bacon took a trip down memory lane, recalling the time he worked with MJ on a Hanes commercial. And let’s just say, it didn’t take long for Jordan to remind him who was in charge.“This is a story I’ll never forget,” Bacon admitted. The ad’s premise seemed simple enough—Bacon tossed items in the air, and Jordan effortlessly snatched them. Easy, right? Well, not when you’re in the presence of The Michael Jordan.
“I was pretty nervous just even doing that… And I threw the ball up once, and it went over here. Then he missed it. I threw the ball up again, and it went over here…,” Bacon recalled. At that moment, he wasn’t a Hollywood star—he was just another guy trying (and failing) to keep up with MJ. Now, if you know anything about Jordan, you know patience with failure wasn’t exactly his strong suit. After a few more failed tosses, the six-time champ had enough. “I threw it one more time. It was way off. And he [MJ] said, really just under his breath, as cool as it could be, he just said to me, ‘Come on, man,’” Bacon revealed. That’s all it took. No yelling, no frustration—just that signature Jordan cool that said everything without saying much at all.
Sep 25, 2021; Haven, Wisconsin, USA; Michael Jordan watches on from the 11th green during day two four-ball rounds for the 43rd Ryder Cup golf competition at Whistling Straits. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
For Bacon, this was a rare moment of feeling starstruck. “When I’m around actors, I don’t get that starstruck just because that’s what I do, you know. But when it comes to major sports figures and musicians, you know, those are the two times that I’m kind of, like, ‘Happy to have… You happy, Mr. Jordan… [imitating nervous stammering voice],’” he said.
To Bacon’s credit, Michael Jordan, too, came with some experience of working in commercials. In fact, he had a huge hit with Gatorade.
How Michael Jordan’s most successful commercial came to being
You’ve probably seen it—Michael Jordan effortlessly balling with kids, that catchy tune playing in the background. Be Like Mike wasn’t just a commercial; it was a cultural moment. But how did it come together? That’s a story worth telling.
Back in 1991, Gatorade had just pulled off a major win, stealing Jordan from Coca-Cola with a $13.5 million deal. They were all in, making him their only endorser. But just days before the first commercial aired, advertising exec Bernie Pitzel got a sneak peek—and he hated it. Just another dunk montage? Nike had been doing that for years.
Pitzel wanted something fresh. His first idea? Kids idolizing Jordan while I Wan’na Be Like You from The Jungle Book played. But Disney wanted $350,000 for just five weeks—way out of budget. So, Pitzel did what creatives do best: improvised. Sitting in his favorite Italian restaurant, he scribbled Be Like Mike on a napkin in four hours.
The jingle quickly came to life thanks to Ira Antelis and Steve Shafer, and the commercial was shot in record time. Three days later, the world had an ad that would be etched in history. Fast forward a few years and MJ was working for Hanes, owning the set.
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