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Celebrities cash in with overseas ads

Here are some lip-smacking commercials that Angelina Jolie appeared in for the Japanese beauty company Shiseido.

Here are some lip-smacking commercials that Angelina Jolie appeared in for the Japanese beauty company Shiseido.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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You didn’t see these commercials on American TV, and maybe the celebrities in them preferred it that way. You’ll be surprised to see who is selling what. Click on the links in blue to watch the ads.

James Brown

Was James Brown really a ramen aficionado? Click here to watch his Nissin noodle commercial that aired on Japanese television in 1992.   (George Rose / Los Angeles Times)

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Before he was governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger made this commercial promoting a Japanese energy drink.   (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

George Clooney

Suave George Clooney is a natural to sell booze and coffee. Here’s a Martini & Rossi vermouth commercial that aired in Europe, and a Nespresso commercial that aired in France.   (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt -- an office drone working the copy machine? Really? Here he is selling Roots canned coffee in a Japanese commercial.   (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Andy Warhol

Pop art icon Andy Warhol made his name finding the art in popular culture, and he wasn’t above appearing on TV -- he even guest-starred on “The Love Boat.” Here’s a commercial he did in the early 1980s for TDK video tapes that aired on Japanese television. And here’s another one he did for Braniff International Airways.  (Anacleto Rapping / Los Angeles Times)

Sean Connery: Life in pictures

Connery pauses to flirt with Miss Moneypenny, played by Lois Maxwell, in a scene from “Goldfinger.”  (Hand Out / Los Angeles Times)

Michael J. Fox

Michael J. Fox cuts up in this Japanese commercial for Kirin canned drinks.   (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg sings in German. Need we say more? Here’s his commercial for Vybemobile, a German phone and music brand.  (Katie Falkenberg / For The Times)

Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan shows his softer side -- and sings -- in this 1991 commercial for Hitachi air conditioners.   (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Madonna

It’s no surprise the “Material Girl” would be selling something overseas. Here’s her commercial for the Takara sake and spirits maker.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Ben Stiller

Comic actor Ben Stiller tries to score a touchdown with this Japanese commercial for Kirin’s Chu-Hi canned alcoholic beverages.   (Anacleto Rapping / Los Angeles Times)

Bruce Willis

This Japanese commercial for Eneos service stations looks a little more “Ghostbusters” than “Die Hard.”   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

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