State Farm has been connecting with television audiences for a long time through their high-profile advertisements, featuring well-known personalities such as Chris Paul, Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, and Alfonso Ribeiro, who have all been featured in the company’s witty commercials.
However, the most widely recognized figure for nearly ten years has been the persona of “Jake from State Farm.” In his now-iconic introduction in 2011, this character assists a married man with an insurance claim during a late-night call at 3 a.m. An angry wife, suspecting her husband of infidelity, seizes the phone and inquires about Jake’s attire.
Recommended
His response, “Well, khakis,” became an immediate hit.
Nevertheless, if you’ve been observant, the individual portraying Jake in the original advertisement is not the same person featured in the more recent campaigns. Let’s discover the identities of the two actors who have portrayed “Jake from State Farm” and explore the reasons behind the character’s recasting in the company’s recent advertising endeavors.
Who Was The Original ‘Jake From State Farm’ Actor?
The initial actor chosen to portray “Jake from State Farm” is Jake Stone, a genuine State Farm insurance agent based in Bloomington, Illinois. In March 2011, Stone’s roommate, also a State Farm colleague, informed him about an audition opportunity for the company’s upcoming ad campaigns. Stone, who was balancing his role at the insurance call center with bartending, decided to give it a try and attend the casting. Before he knew it, the 26-year-old was headed to California to film commercials for his employer.
Stone was selected to utter just two words (“Uh, khakis”) in State Farm’s “State of Unrest” advertisement. He had no idea that this line would lead to the creation of a viral internet meme and become the emblem of the company.
Stone’s sudden rise to fame also brought along with it some unpleasant rumors. In October 2015, there was a mistaken news story claiming that Jake from State Farm had been killed by his wife due to allegations of infidelity. Stone used Twitter to dispel the false information, posting, “In contrast to recent reports, I am very much alive. I appreciate all of your concern.”
Nonetheless, Stone’s life did not undergo a significant transformation following the commercial’s broadcast. During a 2011 interview with The Pantagraph, he mentioned that there were occasional instances of recognition when he identified himself as “Jake from State Farm” to callers. However, he generally described his life by saying, “As I explained to a friend, I’m just like everyone else, getting dressed in my khakis, one leg at a time.”
Who Is The New ‘Jake From State Farm’ Actor?
In 2020, State Farm brought back the well-received “State of Unrest” campaign, but with a modern twist. The character of Jake was reimagined and portrayed by professional actor Kevin Miles. As per his LinkedIn profile, Miles received formal training in theater and acting at the Chicago Academy for the Arts and earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Webster University in 2012. An interesting tidbit: during his student years, he also pursued a career as a DJ and even had an opening slot for Girl Talk at a Webster concert in 2011, the same year when Stone was first introduced as Jake.
Miles presently resides in Los Angeles and has built a respectable career for himself. His IMDb profile indicates that he has secured a consistent series of roles in short films, and he has also made cameo appearances in two well-known CBS television series: “S.W.A.T.” and “Criminal Minds.”
Nonetheless, the majority of people will identify him as the second incarnation of Jake. His initial advertisement for the company premiered in early 2020 during a Super Bowl pregame broadcast. In this updated version of Jake, Miles still mentions the khakis. You can watch the recreation of the original ad, and pay attention to a special cameo by the original Jake!
Why Was ‘Jake From State Farm’ Re-Cast?
Certain viewers have wondered why Jake was replaced for the new campaign. Patty Morris, who serves as the Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Brand at State Farm, clarifies that a genuine company employee would not have been a suitable choice for this role.
“Stone performed admirably with his iconic line, ‘Uh…khakis,'” Morris conveyed to Carrier Management. “However, this broader role is quite challenging and is most effectively undertaken by a trained actor.”
She further stated, “The Jake character personifies all of us working at State Farm. Jake is not limited to a particular job role such as a call center representative, agent, or claims representative. He goes beyond those job titles. He symbolizes the essence of our company – a friendly humanization of what an ideal neighbor should be. Jake can represent any race or gender.”
There have been speculations that Miles was brought on board to cater to a more socially conscious audience, but these claims are purely baseless conjecture. In reality, Stone is highly supportive of Miles taking over the role. After completing his cameo appearance in the updated advertisement, Stone expressed to The Argus, “He has done an outstanding job with the spot and has also made a positive contribution to our company. He is one of the most compassionate individuals you’ll ever encounter, and it’s a great privilege to have him continue with it.”
Stone also characterized his return for a cameo as a “privileged opportunity.”
In reality, the 2020 advertising campaign necessitated the Jake from State Farm character to feature in several commercials, deliver an expanded number of lines, and appear alongside the company’s celebrity partners. Given that Stone no longer works for State Farm and still resides in Illinois, it was a logical choice for the insurance company to select a professionally trained actor who could meet the demands of the role.
ncG1vNJzZmiZppq7trHGoWWcp51kv6bCyJ6urGeknbJuu9GinqKmkaF6q63KnmSfqp%2BierTAwK2cZp6Rp7pw