The Surprising Stars Of The New Walmart Commercials: Who Knew These Celebrities Shopped There?

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Walmart is pulling out all the stops for its latest marketing blitz, leveraging A-list talent and nostalgic TV reunions to completely reshape its brand image. As of December 2025, the retail giant's newest and most talked-about campaign, "Walmart. Who Knew?," features two highly recognizable actors known for their strong TV and film roles, aiming to challenge long-held consumer perceptions about the store's inventory and digital capabilities. The fresh, humorous approach has captivated audiences, leaving many wondering exactly who the familiar faces are and what other stars have recently partnered with the company.

The current ad strategy moves far beyond simple price comparisons, focusing instead on demonstrating Walmart's unexpected breadth of offerings—from high-end electronics to fashionable apparel and its robust online delivery service. This strategic pivot requires actors with both comedic timing and broad appeal, leading to the casting of the stars of the "Who Knew?" campaign, alongside a series of viral, nostalgia-driven commercials from the recent holiday season. Below is a deep dive into the celebrities who are defining Walmart’s modern advertising landscape.

The Main Stars of the 'Walmart. Who Knew?' Campaign (2025)

Walmart’s "Who Knew?" campaign, launched in 2025, is designed to be a bold, humorous statement that reintroduces the retailer as a digitally advanced, one-stop shop. The campaign features two principal actors who serve as knowledgeable, yet often surprising, guides through the vast world of modern Walmart.

Walton Goggins: The Grinch and The Guide

The most prominent face in the new campaign is actor Walton Goggins, who takes on a Grinch-like persona for the Dr. Seuss-inspired holiday ads set in "WhoKnewVille," and acts as a witty, skeptical guide in the general "Who Knew?" spots.

  • Full Name: Walton Sanders Goggins Jr.
  • Born: November 10, 1971 (Age 54 as of 2025)
  • Birthplace: Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
  • Notable Filmography/Roles:
    • Television: Detective Shane Vendrell in The Shield, Boyd Crowder in Justified, Lee Russell in Vice Principals, Baby Billy Freeman in The Righteous Gemstones, and a main role in Fallout.
    • Film: The Hateful Eight, Django Unchained, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Tomb Raider, and co-producer of the Academy Award-winning short film The Accountant.
  • Walmart Role: Goggins plays a character who guides consumers, often humorously challenging their preconceived notions about what Walmart carries, from high-end grills to vast online selections.

Stephanie Beatriz: The Spanish-Language Voice

Joining Goggins in the "Who Knew?" effort is actress Stephanie Beatriz, who headlines the Spanish-language versions of the ad campaign, ensuring Walmart's message of value and variety reaches diverse audiences.

  • Full Name: Stephanie Beatriz Bischoff Alvizuri
  • Born: February 10, 1981 (Age 44 as of 2025)
  • Birthplace: Neuquén, Argentina (Moved to the U.S. at age two).
  • Notable Filmography/Roles:
    • Television: Detective Rosa Diaz in the hit comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
    • Film: The voice of Mirabel Madrigal in the Disney animated film Encanto, and a role in the movie adaptation of In the Heights.
  • Walmart Role: Beatriz stars in the "Walmart. Who Knew?" Spanish-language commercials, reinforcing the campaign’s core message of surprising product availability and digital convenience to the Hispanic market.

Nostalgia and Celebrity Reunions: The 2024 Holiday Ad Strategy

In a separate, highly successful marketing move, Walmart tapped into pop culture nostalgia for its 2024 holiday season advertising. This strategy involved reuniting cast members from beloved movies and television shows, creating viral moments that generated significant buzz and topical authority.

The Gilmore Girls Reunion: Luke and Lorelai

One of the most talked-about holiday spots featured a reunion of two iconic characters from the series Gilmore Girls. The ad provided a heartwarming, modern update on their lives, sparking joy among the show’s dedicated fanbase.

  • Lauren Graham: Reprising her role as the fast-talking, coffee-loving Lorelai Gilmore.
  • Scott Patterson: Returning as the flannel-wearing, diner-owning Luke Danes.

The commercial successfully tied the emotional weight of their reunion to Walmart's role in making holiday preparations easy and affordable.

The Love Jones Reunion: Nia Long and Larenz Tate

In another major celebrity endorsement, Walmart brought together the stars of the classic 1997 romantic drama Love Jones. This commercial was specifically aimed at celebrating the festive season with a nod to Black cinema, generating a strong cultural response.

  • Nia Long: The celebrated actress known for roles in *Boyz n the Hood* and *The Best Man*.
  • Larenz Tate: Known for his work in *Menace II Society* and *Power*.

The ad, while praised for its representation, also sparked a conversation online about the use of beloved cinematic properties in commercial advertising, demonstrating Walmart's willingness to engage in culturally relevant marketing.

Other Notable Holiday Appearances

The 2024 holiday campaign also included other well-known television personalities, further cementing Walmart's strategy of using celebrity power to update its brand perception.

  • Constance Wu: The star of *Crazy Rich Asians* and *Fresh Off the Boat*.
  • Nico Santos: Best known for his role as Mateo Liwanag in the NBC sitcom *Superstore*.

The Strategic Shift: Why Walmart is Investing in A-List Talent

The consistent use of high-profile actors like Walton Goggins, a character actor celebrated for his complex, intense roles in prestige television, and Stephanie Beatriz, an actress synonymous with a strong, modern female character, signals a major strategic shift for Walmart. This isn't just about selling products; it's about rebranding the entire shopping experience.

Challenging Consumer Perceptions

The core message of the "Who Knew?" campaign is to directly challenge the decades-old perception of Walmart as solely a low-cost, brick-and-mortar store. The campaign highlights its vast array of premium products, its advanced e-commerce platform, and its same-day delivery and pickup options. Goggins’s character acts as a humorous proxy for the skeptical consumer, only to be continually surprised by the quality and convenience.

Topical Authority and Brand Image

By securing actors from critically acclaimed shows like Justified, The Shield, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and leveraging the cultural phenomenon of the *Gilmore Girls* and *Love Jones* reunions, Walmart is injecting a level of topical authority and sophistication into its brand image. This strategy aims to bridge the gap between its traditional value-focused customer base and a more affluent, digitally savvy consumer. The use of the Grinch-inspired "WhoKnewVille" for the holiday season further connects the brand to iconic, universally recognized storytelling, making the ads instantly memorable and shareable.

In short, the new faces of the Walmart commercials—from the intense, versatile Walton Goggins and the charismatic Stephanie Beatriz to the nostalgic cast reunions—are not random choices. They are a deliberate, multi-faceted effort to communicate that today’s Walmart is a modern, digitally advanced retailer ready to compete on variety, convenience, and value. The next time you see a Walmart ad, you’ll know that the celebrity on screen is part of a much larger, and much bolder, brand transformation.

who is in new walmart commercial
who is in new walmart commercial

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