Mikey (John Gilchrist) 

1968 - ?

You might remember seeing John with his two freckled faced brothers, Micheal & Tommy, in the Life Cereral TV commercial (circa 1971). That Quaker Oat's commercial was named one of the 50 Greatest Commercials of All Time by TV Guide. 
 

That (brilliant) commercial started off showing two boys (Michael & Tommy) trying to make up their minds whether or not to try a bowl of Life cereal (that was suppose to taste good and to be good for you). The brothers would bicker back and forth: "I'm not gonna try it. You try it." After a little thought (and a glance at Mikey) they would slide the bowl of cereal to their four-year-old brother, Mikey (who was suppose to hate everything). But to their surprise, Mikey liked it and was chowing down. To which they would yell out: "He likes it! Hey, Mikey!"

It is said that Mikey (John Gilchrist) returned as a college student in 1986, and would again promote the cereal saga for the Quaker Oats Company. John would also appear in more than 250 commercials for such products as Pepto Bismol, Skippy Peanut Butter, and Jell-O. John was reported to quit doing commercials in 1988. During an interview with the Gilchrist brothers, they were asked why was it that John seemed to get all of the recognition from the cereral commercials? John had answered: "Well, I was the cute one."

The three Gilchrist brothers are (as far as I know) successfully employed: John as an advertising executive; Michael as a labor negotiator, and Tommy as an account executive. It was (and still is) rumored that Mikey died from eating Pop Rocks mixed with Coca-Cola; or he choked to death after biting off the head of a G.I. Joe Doll. (Maybe forming that behavior from watching too many Ozzie concerts?). Anyway, there are sources that claim Gilchrist is still alive and well, and working as a account executive in New York City.

I have to admit that Mikey (John Gilchrist) is quite the mystery man. I tried my best, but I cannot seem to find an adult picture of that once little freckled-faced, cute, Life cereal loving kid! Hell! Maybe the Pop Rocks and Coke did do him in!?

*inspired by Laurel Crowned