John Madden - Advertising

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In recent years he has appeared in a variety of radio and television commercials including Ace Hardware, Outback Steakhouse (the current corporate sponsor of the Maddencruiser – see below), Verizon Wireless, Rent-A-Center, Miller Lite, Sirius Satellite Radio and Tinactin. In particular, the Miller beer advertisements cemented Madden's image in the public eye as a bumbling but lovable personality. He had a brief movie role playing himself in the 1994 youth football film Little Giants and in the 2000 film The Replacements. Madden appeared in a 1999 episode of The Simpsons "Sunday, Cruddy Sunday". Madden also hosted an episode of NBC's Saturday Night Live in 1982 with musical guest Jennifer Holliday. As well, Madden was featured in the Irish band U2's music video for the song "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of". In the video, Madden is commenting on a fake football game featuring Paul Hewson as the kicker who misses a short kick to win the game.

He has also recorded radio and television public service announcements for a number of causes, including Vascular Cures (formerly the Pacific Vascular Research Foundation) in Redwood City, CA (based on the health experiences of his wife, Virginia Madden).

To minimize travel to studios, Madden built Goal Line Productions in Pleasanton, Calif., a facility that is now managed by his son, Joe. The facility features a 7,000-square-foot (650 m2) sound stage, one of the largest in Northern California.