Former Dell Dude Now Works In a Mexican Restaurant

by Tom Samiljan — Nov 8th 2007 at 7:01PM

These days, Ben Curtis, also once known as "the Dell dude," is more likely to say "Dude, you're gettin' a tequila" than "Dude, you're gettin' a Dell" (the catch phrase/slogan he made famous as the on-air Dell spokesman back in the early aughts). That's because the affable everyman that showed up in many a commercial for Dell Computer now works as a bartender at a Mexican-restaurant-cum-bar in New York City!

Is this what happens after you get busted for trying to buy marijuana and then lose your job on a high-profile ad campaign? Apparently, yes, but it's not as bad as it sounds.

First of all, the guy is busy. When not participating in anti-war protests (as evidenced by the picture above) or playing gay dudes off-Broadway to critical acclaim, Curtis does episodes of Law & Order and has a role in the upcoming movie,' Proud Iva.' Curtis also sings in the band Whale. According to the funny interview with Curtis on New York magazine's Grub Street blog, the former Dell dude has also found girlfriends (as well as friends in DEA agents) at the Tortilla Flats restaurant where he's been working his "day job."

Turns out that the Dell dude is less of an everyman and more of an indie hipster, which, surprisingly, is about the last thing we'd associate with the computer company he once represented.

So, what do you think? Isn't it time we gave this guy a break? If he were now to become a national spokesperson for a company or product other than Dell, what company or product would that be? Let us know!

Gallery: Ben Curtis a.k.a. the "Dell Dude"

From Grub Street/NewYorkMag

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Tags: Ads, Advertising, breaking+news, Dell, Dell dude, DellDude, top

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 11)

ukantseeme said 7:36PM on 11-08-2007

You're gettin' a taco....dude.

Ol' Joe said 8:16PM on 11-08-2007

Hmm, maybe he will work as a spokesman for a Reefer marketing firm when they legalize it.
*Dude, your getting a Puna bud*

$Ol\\\' Joe$ 3

Ol\\\' Joe said 8:38PM on 11-08-2007

From the looks of the Dell Dude in the picture, he is either stoned or getting a blow job.

Garrick Stoneman said 10:33PM on 11-08-2007

This guy should be a gay idol to be worshipped by other hot studs as he is HOTTT!!!!!!!!

Mike said 12:37AM on 11-09-2007

Dude, don't drink and drive

crazyassedbastard said 1:15AM on 11-09-2007

another example of youth going down the drain. This is exactly why libs never get anywhere-no professionalism, no discipline. See you at taco bell in 2020.

Dell Witch said 2:28AM on 11-09-2007

Dude, us regulars never held anything against ya.

Scaramazoola mitzificula bibbidy bobbidy boo said 3:03AM on 11-09-2007

Mexican restaurant cum bar?!? EEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!

will Everly said 6:44AM on 11-09-2007

Anti-Drug Campaign "Dude Don't toke, this isn't a joke." Total reinvention of the fired pitchman. Simply from an impression perspective it would be worth a couple of million web hits.

web said 7:57AM on 11-09-2007

Being the Dell Dude is a better gig than food server at a mexican restauraunt. And when did the theatre need staright actors to play gay men??? Most in that field are gay....hmmmmm

web said 8:02AM on 11-09-2007

Sorry dude, but working at anyplace called cum bar, is worse than Dell.

ATLguy said 8:03AM on 11-09-2007

this guy makes my gaydar go off the scale. i hope he walks in sometime when i'm laying on my stomach...

Just Me said 8:04AM on 11-09-2007

Ya know, Dell should have worried more about their horrible customer support than this guy trying to buy a doobie...THAT is gonna be what eventually puts them out of business.....glad to hear he's doing well though, what a cutie.

Mikey the Nail said 8:06AM on 11-09-2007

A struggling actor who messed up his big break because he's a drug-sucking fiend -- and apparently an anti-American peacenik to boot.

Certainly not a unique, and in fact he has a lot of company over on the looney left coast.

He is, apparently, not without talent, and I hope for his sake he's at least cleaned up his act with the drugs.

Michelle said 8:16AM on 11-09-2007

I loved this guy in the Dell commercials. People make mistakes, but he was very, very good. I don't know this as a fact, but during the "Dude" campaign Dell had, they probably made millions of dollars. It seems very unfair to brand this young man for the rest of his life. I'm certain many of the people who made the decision to get rid of him have made a few mistakes themselves. I think he was convincing and obviously still has talent because he still works in the business. Being a bartender is an honorable job, but if he were to be a spokesperson for another company, he'd be a smash. I thought he was fantastic, so he could sell anything.

jayman said 8:22AM on 11-09-2007

If he were a female teacher having sex with a child, some people would make excuses for him. as they did with Mary Kay LaTorneu (sp)

If he tortured and killed dogs for his own kicks, as Vick did, people would be saying " everyone makes mistakes"

So why shouldn't THIS guy get another chance... becasue he smoke weed? A drug that's barely illegal in most states.

Maybe he would have been better off raping children and torturing animals... at least THAT was there would be a segment of the population whould give him a second chance

Man, we are one seriously messed up country... and I'm not talking about politics either... the AMERICAN PEOPLE are lost and the AMERICAN SPIRIT is dead. We're little more than meat with eyes and wallets, and we have only ourselves to blame.

If someone else smoking a joint is going to ruin your day, than YOU'RE the problem. Stop being a facist pig and get your own lives on track.... hypocrites!

brian said 8:25AM on 11-09-2007

Dude!!! Wheres my taco?

kate said 8:26AM on 11-09-2007

Got any visine, dude?

iiiminchiaiii said 8:26AM on 11-09-2007

GIVE THE GUY A BREAK I WANT TO SEE HIM IN MOVIES

J said 8:32AM on 11-09-2007

He's still alive? AND who cares? So many other IMPORTANT things going on in the world.

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