Geico Caveman actor finally revealed—here’s what he looks like now
The face behind the famous Geico Caveman breaks his silence and shares how the role changed his life.
He was the hairy, grumpy face of one of America’s most iconic commercials—now, the actor behind the original Geico Caveman has stepped into the spotlight to reveal what life was really like behind the heavy makeup.
In 2004, Geico introduced a quirky character that no one expected would become a cultural sensation—the Caveman. Created to add humor to the not-so-thrilling world of car insurance, the commercial showed a caveman offended by Geico’s tagline: “So easy, a caveman could do it.”
What started as a joke quickly turned into a phenomenon. Geico, with help from The Martin Agency, reportedly spent $600 million on ads in 2006, but “The Caveman” stood out and became a fan favorite. The creative minds behind it aimed to make people laugh while delivering a simple message—and it worked.
“We knew it would be funny, but we never expected it to become so big,” said Steve Bassett, the creative director.
Meet the man behind the makeup
The gruff-looking caveman was played by actor and producer John Lehr. While the role involved messy hair, a scruffy beard, and Neanderthal features, Lehr in real life is far from prehistoric—he’s a clean-cut dad of two with a successful career in showbiz.
Lehr started out as a teacher at Kilmer Elementary in Chicago before trying improv comedy at night. His big break came when a FOX scout saw his act and offered him a holding deal with NBC. From there, he landed roles in popular shows like Friends and Jesse, co-starring with Christina Applegate.
An audition that changed everything
When Lehr auditioned for the Geico role, he didn’t think much of it. “They let me improvise, and I think that’s what got me the job,” he said in an interview. What he thought would be just another gig turned into a game-changer.
“All of a sudden, everyone knew the Caveman,” he said. “It was the perfect job for someone like me—a character actor who could stay anonymous.”
From commercials to red carpets
The Caveman’s fame reached surprising heights. Lehr even walked the red carpet at the Oscars—in full caveman costume. “Stars like Gary Busey and Jon Voight wanted pictures with me,” he laughed. “Even a glamorous actress hit on me, and I had to break character to let her know I was just an actor under the wig.”
Today, John Lehr runs his own production company, Howler Monkey Productions, and works as both an actor and producer. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Jennifer, and their two children.
Despite his many roles, the Caveman remains a highlight of his career. “It was weird, fun, and completely unexpected,” he said. “But I’m grateful it happened.”
Do you remember The Caveman?
If that commercial made you laugh or brings back memories, share this story with friends and family—and let them know what the Geico Caveman is up to now!
