Suspected PayPal Hackers Seek Deal To Stay Out Of Prison
2 Men Arrested After Teen Was Run Over For His iPad
Former Dell Dude Now Works In a Mexican Restaurant
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!
From Grub Street/NewYorkMag
Related Stories:
- Top Five Raciest Ads on the Web
- Top 11 Geek T-Shirts
- Best Ever Celebrity Gadget Ads
- Blogging Stocks: Former Dell Dude Working Food Service
PHOTOS: Tornado Aftermath Leaves Trail Of Destruction
Live from Microsoft's New Generation Xbox event!
PHOTOS: This Is The Best Response To Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries We've Seen Yet
Xbox Reveal liveblog on Joystiq
Dozens Killed in Oklahoma Tornado; Death Toll to Rise
Tornadoes Strike Oklahoma
Justin Bieber Booed, Gets Standing Ovation at Billboard Music Awards
2013 Billboard Music Awards Best and Worst Dressed
Oklahoma Senators Face Difficult Options On Disaster Relief
Watch: Kansas Meteorologist Seeks Shelter From Tornado
Xbox One architecture panel liveblog!
JODI ARIAS WANTS LIFE
Two Pilots Fired After Brazilian Pop Star Takes Captain's Seat Mid-Flight
Selena Gomez Leaving Justin Bieber's House: Booty Call Rumors Swirl
Police END Search For Susan Powell
Oldest Water on Earth Found Deep Underground
WATCH: Mom's Emotional Reunion With Son After Tornado
CBS Pulls 'Mike & Molly' Tornado-Set Finale
PHOTOS: Tornadoes Wreak Havoc On Central U.S.
WATCH: Tornado Victim Finds Dog During CBS Interview
PHOTOS: Tornado Devastates Moore, Oklahoma
PHOTOS:Eva Longoria's Almost Wardrobe Malfunction At Cannes
Grossed Out Student Finds "Worm" In His McMuffin
LOOK: The 14 Most Endangered Heritage Sites In Europe
Justin Bieber BOOED While Accepting Award
LOOK: Kid Knows Exactly Where She Stands
Guess Who?
Mila Kunis And Ashton Kutcher Put Their Romance On Display
15 Incredible Cat Photobombs
WATCH: Tornadoes Rip Through Central U.S.
Student Expelled, Charged With Felonies For Same-Sex Relationship
Stefon Marries Anderson Cooper In Final Show
Comments
220
Subscribe to commentsValerie CloudJan 31st 2008 4:08PM
He wasn't trying to buy drugs. He was trying to buy pot. There's a big difference.
ukantseemeNov 8th 2007 7:36PM
You're gettin' a taco....dude.
Ol' JoeNov 8th 2007 8:16PM
Hmm, maybe he will work as a spokesman for a Reefer marketing firm when they legalize it.
*Dude, your getting a Puna bud*
Ol\\\' JoeNov 8th 2007 8:38PM
From the looks of the Dell Dude in the picture, he is either stoned or getting a blow job.
Garrick StonemanNov 8th 2007 10:33PM
This guy should be a gay idol to be worshipped by other hot studs as he is HOTTT!!!!!!!!
MikeNov 9th 2007 12:37AM
Dude, don't drink and drive
crazyassedbastardNov 9th 2007 1:15AM
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 WitchNov 9th 2007 2:28AM
Dude, us regulars never held anything against ya.
Scaramazoola mitzificula bibbidy bobbidy booNov 9th 2007 3:03AM
Mexican restaurant cum bar?!? EEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!
will EverlyNov 9th 2007 6:44AM
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.
dudeNov 10th 2007 9:33AM
Dell dropped him because he got busted for pot? I guess they just wanted someone that acted like a stoner and not an actual stoner.
webNov 9th 2007 7:57AM
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
webNov 9th 2007 8:02AM
Sorry dude, but working at anyplace called cum bar, is worse than Dell.
Just MeNov 9th 2007 8:04AM
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.
ATLguyNov 9th 2007 8:03AM
this guy makes my gaydar go off the scale. i hope he walks in sometime when i'm laying on my stomach...
Mikey the NailNov 9th 2007 8:06AM
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.
MichelleNov 9th 2007 8:16AM
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.
jaymanNov 9th 2007 8:22AM
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!
kateNov 9th 2007 8:26AM
Got any visine, dude?
iiiminchiaiiiNov 9th 2007 8:26AM
GIVE THE GUY A BREAK I WANT TO SEE HIM IN MOVIES