Meet The Actor Behind Progressive’s Dr. Rick

His calm, quiet manner. His sensible choice of sweaters. His unexpectedly broad understanding of home insurance, coupled with his firm conviction that everyone eventually becomes like their parents. He is Dr. Rick (Bill Glass), and he has become a comforting and encouraging figure in Progressive’s recent advertisement series.

Since 2020, his authoritative demeanor has guided homeowners through various insurance matters related to their homes and vehicles, as well as claims stemming from accidents and disasters such as fires, floods, and traffic collisions. Despite these challenging situations, he’s managed to remain calm and composed, never losing his cool. His unique skill set is rooted in helping his clients prevent a phenomenon known as “Parentamorphosis,” which refers to the transformation into one’s parents.

Have you ever wondered who the actor is that plays Dr. Rick for Progressive? Interestingly, it’s been Bill Glass all along, and he has quite an impressive resume to back him up. Known for his comedic talents, Bill’s improv career has earned him a host of famous acquaintances. Beyond his role in advertising insurance, he has also graced numerous television shows. As Dr. Rick, he’s reached heights that few spokespeople achieve. With such dedication to his craft, it’s unlikely he’ll be one of those commercial actors who get replaced. While he’s currently enjoying the spotlight, here are a few intriguing details about the man behind the mustache.

Bill Glass wanted to be a firefighter

Intriguingly, despite his profession as a home insurance spokesperson at Progressive, Bill Glass humorously or seriously expressed a desire for a career that involved rescuing people from the very disasters portrayed in their commercials. As seen in an Instagram post featuring images of Glass and his family visiting a fire station, he aspired to become a firefighter but failed to pass the physical test.

In his post, he humorously shared an incident where he handled the jaws of life, leading him to conclude he wouldn’t make a good firefighter. He added that he’s also unofficially qualified as a tillerman, which is like sitting at the back of a firetruck resembling a tractor-trailer and guiding it towards emergencies – an essential job role, much like one Dr. Rick would embrace if he were a firefighter.

He wanted to be a journalist too

Bill Glass explored another academic field: Journalism. In fact, he enrolled at the University of Kansas with the intention of earning a degree in this subject. His rationale was that a journalism degree could potentially bridge the gap between the realm of improvisational comedy and a more conventional profession. Given ESPN’s witty and bold approach to sports reporting during the 1990s, when Glass was in college, he contemplated the possibility of working as a sportscaster for them, a role that could cater to both his interests.

However, Glass switched careers and became an improvisational comedian, becoming deeply involved in Chicago’s renowned Second City improv group. Acting soon took up all of his focus, causing him to leave the university just before earning his journalism degree. Yet, the knowledge he gained from his teachers was applied to enrich the character of Dr. Rick.

His time at the University of Kansas inspired his performance as Dr. Rick

Bill Glass drew inspiration for Dr. Rick’s character from his professors at the University of Kansas. He acknowledged that some of Rick’s actions reflected those of his admired teachers who offered him a subtle, kind, and inspiring influence that suited the actor playing Dr. Rick. Essentially, Glass compared his approach to the role to that of a college professor teaching 15th-century architecture, believing he was making a significant impact with each lecture he gave. In other words, all his professors had a cool and influential impact on him.

Glass pointed out that while a teacher may consider the topic they’re teaching as highly significant, it doesn’t necessarily resonate in the same way for their audience – much like Dr. Rick’s patients. “The professor,” he said, “can sometimes appear overly passionate or intense about the subject, giving the impression that it could alter the world.” This observation sheds light on why Dr. Rick delivers his lectures with such seriousness, and also why he seems to treat even casual discussions on movie manners or mall conduct with great importance.

He calls his mustache in the commercials The Beast

Indeed, I can confirm that the mustache Bill Glass sports in his Progressive commercials is a masterpiece crafted by the makeup team behind the scenes. In truth, he keeps his real upper lip clean-shaven. Yet, he affectionately refers to this fabricated facial hair as “The Beast.

Glass shared with the Kansas City Star that it takes him around 30 minutes in the makeup chair to put on and perfect his mustache. However, the appearance of the character is less important to the actor, who instead prioritizes how well the character makes others feel. “What I’m most eager for,” he said, “is making people laugh or helping the campaign make people laugh.” While this might sound a bit corny, whether it’s on an improv stage or in a commercial or sitcom, I simply aim to bring joy to people.

Only his optometrist has recognized him as Dr. Rick

Despite expectations that a nationwide advertising campaign might increase Bill Glass’s visibility, particularly among those nearby, he informed the Kansas City Star that none of his acquaintances or even strangers encountered in public settings recognized him as Dr. Rick. However, his optometrist was able to make the connection.

Despite the fact that only his immediate family is aware of his dual identity as Dr. Rick, Bill Glass expresses profound gratitude for his role. “I’m simply content with my job,” he stated. “At my age, I’m not pursuing fame anymore.” He acknowledges the enjoyment he gets from playing the doctor, and appreciates the response to the campaign, but ultimately, his anonymity doesn’t affect him.

He thinks the COVID-19 pandemic made Dr. Rick a big hit

When a brand introduces a new marketing strategy, it can be hard to predict what will catch consumers’ interest. However, Dr. Rick has managed to do this exceptionally well; in a 2022 poll by Ad Age magazine, he was ranked as the seventh most popular advertising mascot. This places Dr. Rick on par with Flo, Progressive’s long-time spokesperson played by Stephanie Courtney, and even famous insurance pitchmen like AllState’s Mayhem, as well as marketing legends such as Tom Selleck. In response to the popularity of Flo and her team, Progressive even published a book called “Dr. Rick Will See You Now,” offering the good doctor’s advice.

It seems Glass believes that the onset of Dr. Rick’s mania could be linked to the launch of his campaign happening during the COVID-19 pandemic. He speculates that Progressive might have released this less serious content as a strategy to stand out amidst heavy advertising, which he thinks caught people’s attention initially.

It becomes particularly relevant when you consider that Dr. Rick’s advertisements often depict individuals striving not to emulate their parents, a significant concern during times of pandemic-style living pods. Beyond the tone, he believes the characters’ relatable quality significantly enhances the appeal of these commercials.

He’s an improv comedy master

Previously mentioned, Bill Glass boasts a wealth of experience in improvisational comedy. He was part of Chicago’s Second City troupe, a member of The Groundlings, and has garnered praise from fellow comedians. Eric Stonestreet of “Modern Family” commented on his X (formerly Twitter) account, “Bill is an old friend and one of those actors in Hollywood who will all of a sudden become a 20-year overnight sensation. He’s always been so funny. Give him a show.” Fortune Feimster concurred, stating, “I was in an improv class with Bill at the Groundlings about 15 years ago and he outshone everyone else. He was incredibly funny.

Glass himself confided to The Chicago Sun-Times that his extensive background in improv has allowed him to interact with numerous celebrities, many of whom he feels he owes a debt of gratitude for their aid and instruction. In his own words, “I owe people like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and David Koechner.” It seems that this support is now being reciprocated threefold with Glass’ current success. His improv talents have secured him a part on Peacock’s “Rutherford Falls,” and he has also been featured in shows as diverse as “Roswell” and “Fresh Off The Boat.” Recently, he has made guest appearances on “St. Dennis Hospital.

His favorite Dr. Rick line harkens back to hearth and home

Dr. Rick is well-known for his folksy expressions and comforting words about life. Whether it’s advising clients to declutter their homes or showing them how to use new tech, he always has something new to share and a way to offer support. However, one specific phrase from Dr. Rick that stuck with Bill Glass after filming the commercials has stayed with him for months and years since then.

He shared with The Chicago Sun-Times that a recent quote, “If you woke up early, no one cares,” resonates with him as it reminds him of his father who was an early riser. As for his preferred Dr. Rick ad, he admitted that he can’t pick just one as they all hold special places in his heart.

Another reason for Dr. Rick’s success: it’s all generational

Bill Glass offers an alternative explanation for Dr. Rick’s popularity, which he attributes to the character’s ability to make people laugh at themselves, their friends, and their families. In his words, “I believe people are laughing at themselves.” He also suggests a hint of laughter directed towards their parents, terming it as ‘triple regeneration.’

According to Glass, the kids seem amused by the millennials who appear older than Rick’s actual age. Adults, on the other hand, find it somewhat humorous seeing people their own age behaving like seniors. The elderly, in contrast, find humor in their children acting just like them. This loop of familial silliness brings about a common feeling of joy. Glass further explained that he finds it relatable to different stages of family life.

Dr. Rick was the first mascot character to appear on Hot Ones

For the first time ever, Bill Glass made an appearance on “Hot Ones” in the autumn of 2024, portraying Dr. Rick. While dispensing advice and trying to withstand Da Bomb and other sauces reminiscent of nuclear strength, he managed to stay in character. This marked a unique milestone as it was the first time a mascot character graced the screen on Hot Ones.

In his time participating on the show, Dr. Rick struggles to remain composed as he encounters the intense flavors and excessively spicy side dishes. Despite his discomfort, he offers advice to host Sean Evans about dealing with transforming into one’s own parents. He also contributes to promoting the idea of “parentamoprhasis” to viewers across the globe. For those who didn’t catch it when First We Feast initially aired the segment in 2024, the complete episode can be found and watched on the First We Feast Facebook page in its entirety.

He’s got a pitchman past

For the enthusiasts of Dr. Rick, here’s an exciting revelation: This isn’t Bill Glass’ debut in a commercial. As a seasoned comic actor with a wealth of experience, it’s only natural that he has endorsed various products for different companies throughout his career in Hollywood.

In 2013, Glass made his debut in an advertisement for Toyota’s Great Sales Event. In this ad, he portrayed a father whose search for a fuel-efficient car led to trouble with his long-remembering wife. His subsequent ad aired in 2014 for Jack in the Box. In this spot, Glass played a boisterous coworker who was partying with Jack, the brand’s mascot, at a company picnic. The situation quickly turned chaotic due to a few bites of Jack’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich, leading to a heap of corporate drama.

These undeniably paved the way for Glass to make his debut as Dr. Rick, a role that has solidified his status within the hall of fame of TV characters for good.

2025-03-01 20:31