He made 7-UP his, and we were so MAD for him that we just had to do a Double Take. Orlando Jones, a man who has worn many hats in the industry has proven that the gift of comedy can result in much more than just a few laughs.Born April 10, 1968 in the small town of Mobile, Alabama, funnyman Jones knew he was meant for big things. Orlando's passion for acting was apparent when he was not only cast in the College of Charleston's school play, but the school's stage was also where he was first discovered. The entrepreneur in Orlando came out when he formed his very own, Homeboy's Productions and Advertising.In 1995, Jones got his big break when he was cast for the comedy hit, MADtv. Jones was unique in the industry not only for his comedic writing but for his television producing skills which single handedly proved to be the success of hit show MADtv (Jones was one of the nine original cast members). Although Jones was an obvious comedic stand out on MAD, after two years of making America laugh, he decided it was time for his career to expand to the big screen.Jones' big screen debut was in Seinfeld co-creator Larry David's Sour Grapes. He then continued to take small, but nonetheless legitimate, roles in blockbusters including Office Space, Liberty Heights, The Replacements, and Double Take (his highest paid movie gig at $500,000).Many, including Jones himself, were shocked to see the celebrated actor go from the big screen to the world of commercials most of the time in the world of entertainment, it is the other way around. When he signed on with 7UP in 2000, Jones recalls, "I walked in thinking, 'I have ten movies under my belt and now they want me to go back to making commercials?' I said, if I do that, I want it to be funny.ù The term funnyù was an understatement. The Make 7-UP YOURSù campaign was so successful, that Jones, ironically, received more visibility that he had ever had on the big screen. Jones continued to produce and star as pitchman in the suggestive, yet effective 7UP movement until late 2001.From soda commercials, to movies, to school plays, Orlando Jones has had a plethora of exposure in the world of entertainment who knows what the quirky southern native we all love will come up with next.

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