Computers, Interviews, Celebrities, TV
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!
Gallery: Ben Curtis a.k.a. the "Dell Dude"
From Grub Street/NewYorkMag
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Reader Comments (Page 3 of 11)
Jimmy Hoffa said 9:31AM on 11-09-2007
I thought Dell dumped him because the campaign was just plain stupid. It's amazing how people can get to be famous for being stupid.
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Edder said 9:41AM on 11-09-2007
omg let it go people! If any of you have never made a mistake or 2 in your life, tell me. I won't believe you because you're obviously insane but feel free to explain. You retards are what's wrong with this country. Mind your own damn business, let the next guy live his life how he chooses to live it. That is what this country was based on, FREEDOM. Where the hell did that go?!
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steve said 9:46AM on 11-09-2007
Dude. At least you didn't get type cast.
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rosenrob said 9:48AM on 11-09-2007
We bought a Dell laptop (should have been "craptop") because we enjoyed Ben Curtis as the Dell Dude. I think firing him for smoking pot was a really stupid move on the part of Dell execs. This Dell laptop is the cheesiest piece of electronics I've ever owned. I can't plug in a printer, a mouse or other equipment because the connections are so flimsy they don't make good contact. I've had to buy a new power cord because the original was so flimsy it broke (and I noticed it got about 2 stars for performance on the Dell web site). We paid more for this computer than any of our others (we've had 4 desktops) and got less for our money. I'm glad Ben Curtis is doing well and continuing his career. Sounds like he's surviving. I'd like to see him selling computers for another company that would give Dell competition. That would be poetic justice. He'll do okay anyway. I'll bet he gets lots of tips.
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csragustin said 9:44AM on 11-09-2007
dude, stay in school!, that should be his next job motivate kids to stay in school...
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Marq said 9:52AM on 11-09-2007
He should be on the elect Hillary campain. Who cares if he smokes pot. Many cheers for the young generation. They are far more accepting of other people than their old parents who are hooked on prescription drugs and alcohol. He sounds like a talanted guy. At least he is working and making a stand for what he believes in.
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Doctor Bob said 9:54AM on 11-09-2007
Drugs? Gay? Anti-American? Screwed up? Hell, he's a future star in the making! Move over, George Clooney. Dude, you're getting a replacement!
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Sue said 9:57AM on 11-09-2007
I think he was great in the Dell commercials and would like to see him in other commercials because lets face it the ads are getting so ridiculous. I enjoy the one where a band of men are singing a tune Viva Las Vegas and using the word Viagara in place of the words Las Vegas. Now that is a commercial that is easy to listen to. I also like the ad where the goat is eating the paper.Nay nay. Its hilarious. Way to go Aflex. One of the worst ads is the Sonic. Did I say BORING! I always mute this one.
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Sarah said 9:57AM on 11-09-2007
"cum" is latin, idiots. Pronounced 'cOOm'
it's like saying 'mexican restaurant-AND/ALSO-bar', indicating that the restaurant has two functions, as a place that serves food and a place that serves alcohol. . . I hope some of you who commented about that were joking, or else you're all really pathetic and uneducated.
And you know what else? I'm a bona fide (latin again! Literally, 'good faith', loosely translated 'authentic') pot head. No, we're not all stupid. . .but I'm starting to think everyone else is.
My advice? hit the bong and read a book.
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alfred said 10:06AM on 11-09-2007
Awww darn!!! He smoked pot!! Imagine that. Dell could have used the situation to help sell even more computers. Dude, you can be stoned and still use a Dell!
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PJC said 8:31AM on 1-07-2009
What seems to be missing here is the fact that his Dell ad campaign was already being replaced. In the Dell commercials he played a hip computer smart twenty year old who hung out with fourteen year boys. Some people understandably thought that was just a bit creepy.
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Bama said 10:45AM on 11-09-2007
Place him in the Movies! this guy is funny!
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holly said 10:22AM on 11-09-2007
You have companies tripping all over themselves to hire coke-head Kate Moss and this poor kid tries to buy some weed and gets fired. I'm certainly not an advocate of any kind of drug use but I think Dell missed the boat on this kid. Those commercials were golden. They should have given him a slap on the wrist and kept on trucking with him. There hasn't been a decent Dell commercial since they got rid of him.
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robert said 10:26AM on 11-09-2007
what the hells a cum bar?
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torry said 10:29AM on 11-09-2007
I always wandered what happened to {steven}, as he was called in the Dell commercials. Last I remembered, he was arrested trying to buy weed in N.Y.C.{way to go ,dude}. I think that he should come back strong doing commercials for the new brand of Doritos collisions That would be awesome. Especially since Doritos are the unofficial munchee food for everyone. I definately think that he should waer that elf costume as he did in the Dell X-mas commercial.lol He was always a cutie. Holla back
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cychobabbl said 7:22PM on 11-09-2007
Maybe the Dell dude and the "Don't tase me 'bro" dude should hook up. ("You're getting tased, bro!")
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nASTY bOIL said 10:40AM on 11-09-2007
smoke "BIG ONE" then order a 1/2 pound cheesy without leaving work . Dickhead.
He needs to get on " The Price is right " so he can blaze with Drew .Dickhead .
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Leah Turner said 10:42AM on 11-09-2007
Geez, give him a break. There's so many people doing what he did and worse. Only difference is he got caught.
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Mike said 10:48AM on 11-09-2007
How about "You're gettin' a dude, dude" ?
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carole del monte said 10:46AM on 11-09-2007
I always thought that the pot bust wasn't reason enough for Dell to drop him. Look at what's happened since with all the rehabrities! He's doing more than OK, & I wish him luck. Check this Eagle Scout out: http://imdb.com/name/nm1120236/
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