Did the iconic Canadian Tuxedo Man on those Petro-Canada Let's Goooo! commercials seen during the Olympics look familiar?
He should.
He’s Murray (Murf) Laidlaw from Prince George, who once had Olympic aspirations himself.
You might have seen him in other shows, movies and commercials before. Most recently he was in the local Aberdeen Glen goofy golfer commercials where he played the ‘"don’t be that guy" character.
Laidlaw has had a recent run of success doing commercials for big audiences like those for Paramount Plus, Nissan and Petro-Canada.
“I did the video audition for the Petro-Can commercial and I got it, but I was supposed to be the cowboy in the commercial,” Laidlaw said. “Then when they gave me the offer the contract said I was the ‘full denim guy’ – I was really excited about the cowboy, though because that’s kind of my lifestyle.”
He doesn’t ride horses but he’s lived off the grid in the past and in the country for a while now.
The jeans, the jean shirt and jean vest he wore is known as the Canadian tuxedo to many – denim from head to toe.
“I mean, I grew up in the Hart, right?” Laidlaw said. “That’s what we all wear.”
Here's the commercial that aired during the Olympics:
“They didn’t say the commercials were airing during the Olympics but there were whispers of it,” Laidlaw said.
When he got down to Vancouver to do the filming it only took about a half a day, but the spot ended up getting a lot of air time, Laidlaw said.
On set he was treated like gold, he added.
He got breakfast and then he was in hair and makeup where they really emphasized his moustache.
“They made it as big as possible,” Laidlaw said. “Then we spent time doing the same thing with so many different camera angles, looking for the perfect shot.”
He has an agent in Vancouver who sets up his auditions and lately he’s been doing it by video. When there’s a callback he goes down to Vancouver in person.
It’s worked pretty well so far, with more and more auditions looking for his classic Canadiana look.
Most recently he auditioned for a Jeep commercial and one for a financial services firm.
Laidlaw has always been athletic and was known at his high school for his volleyball playing at what was known as Kelly Road school back in the day.
He turned professional after attending college and university, then got sidetracked when he was asked to be the party guy for Molson to promote the brand. He was on social media before it was mainstream.
After about four years of that he realized he didn’t enjoy the party pace.
“I wanted to be an athlete again,” Laidlaw said. “So I started playing beach volleyball again.”
He had his heart set on the Olympics but was injured during training. A talent agent discovered him coaching beach volleyball.
“My agent had me in mind for a role and it was my first audition and I didn’t know what I was doing but I got the part,” Laidlaw said. “I just fell in love with it and now here I am with a whole bunch of commercials with big companies and the local commercials are fun, too.”
Laidlaw is doing everything he loves now. He is available as a volleyball coach and as a commercial acting coach.
“And if local businesses want to do an ad campaign with me, I’m good with that, too,” Laidlaw said.
And as far as the Petro-Canada commercials go?
Laidlaw said it best on his Facebook page.
“Mom, I made the Olympics! Not the way I originally intended, but I’ll take it!”
To connect with Laidlaw you can find him on Facebook or text him at 236-512-7789.
