Tucked away between weather updates and evening news, the Pat Finn commercials became more than just local advertisements for audiences around Arizona. His well-known smile, deft timing, and effortless, improv-heavy style transformed an ordinary automobile advertisement into something that constantly attracted attention and made people laugh.
The ad, appropriately named “Pat TV,” began with a straightforward concept: cast a charming, witty actor in progressively absurd Toyota-related situations. The location was irrelevant. No matter where Pat appeared—a car lot, a dusty farm, or even a school crosswalk—something odd was bound to happen. He delivered lines that felt remarkably personal, unlike scripted spokesmen reciting a pitch; they were frequently spontaneous, occasionally quirky, but always captivating.
Pat Finn Toyota Commercials – Key Information Table
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Lead Actor | Pat Finn (1965–2025), improv comedian and TV actor |
| Campaign Title | “Pat TV” by Valley Toyota Dealers |
| Notable Commercials | “Farm Hand,” “Kicking Tires,” “Pulled Over” |
| Style of Campaign | Comedic, improv-based, character-driven |
| Director | Jordan Brady (directed ~200 commercials for the campaign) |
| Creative Team | LT agency: Ian Barry, Greg Harwell, Gary Serviss |
| Supporting Actor | Wayne Federman (featured in “Kicking Tires”) |
| Pat Finn’s Legacy | Known for improvisation, sincerity, physical humor |
| External Reference |
On paper, “Farm Hand” is the kind of place that shouldn’t operate. An ostrich farm, a Toyota Tundra, and an adult guy attempting to reason with birds who obviously don’t want to be reasoned with. It sticks, though, because of Pat’s response timing, which includes ducking, stopping, and muttering a one-liner. It’s surprisingly colorful in addition to being humorous.
In another ad, “Kicking Tires,” Pat engages Wayne Federman in a verbal duel while he portrays a dubious customer. The conversation is sharp, humorous, and misleadingly educational, and it flows like a sidewalk dispute you could overhear between friends. For a company like Toyota, which already relies heavily on trust, this harmony between sincere humor and unambiguous product messaging feels especially advantageous.
Pat plays a school crossing guard in “Pulled Over,” when he stops traffic to inspect a brand-new 2025 Camry. It seems easy on the surface. However, there’s something about his delivery of awe—not overdone, just genuinely surprised—that transforms a 30-second commercial into a brief, fulfilling narrative. It feels more like an encounter than a sale because the emphasis is on his response rather than the script.
These advertisements were successful because they promoted reactions rather than fantasies. Additionally, viewers remember reactions—especially unscripted ones—much longer than they do memorized slogans.
By working strategically with director Jordan Brady, who oversaw almost 200 of these ads, the campaign was able to avoid the staleness that often plagues persistent advertising campaigns. “You don’t really direct Pat Finn,” Brady once said. You avoid being in his way. When it comes to allowing improvisation to flourish, that kind of creative trust is uncommon but incredibly powerful.
This was more than simply a marketing tactic for LT, the Phoenix-based advertising firm behind it all; it became a pivotal undertaking. Almost like comedic vignettes created for a one-man show with a Toyota budget, creative leads Ian Barry, Greg Harwell, and Gary Serviss continued to add new scenarios to the campaign. And each time, Finn delivered. Using the same actor, tone, and changing structure was really creative since it kept the campaign feeling consistent even as the settings and supporting cast varied.
The success of this advertisement was influenced by Pat Finn’s larger acting career. With roots in Chicago’s Second City and a resume that included sitcoms like Murphy Brown, Ed, and The Middle, he was more than just a commercial guy. He could play the uncomfortable parent, the earnest friend, or the guy next door who was just trying to figure things out. Frequently without a single syllable of prewritten conversation, all of that was shown on screen.
Even when the advertisements were ridiculous, I always appreciated how grounded they felt. The comedy was never demeaning. Rather, it emphasized the awkwardness of everyday life, the way people truly respond when they are taken aback or unsure of what to say. The campaign was very dependable as a promotional tool and a source of pleasure because of its honesty.
The Valley Toyota Dealers discovered a voice that was very resilient by keeping the message straightforward and allowing room for individuality. “Pat TV,” driven by character rather than spectacle, managed to carve out a quiet place for itself in a media market dominated by fast-turnover trends and continuously changing formats.
Finn died of bladder cancer-related complications in December 2025. His passing signaled the end of a very varied 30-year career that included voice acting, comedy, and, most enduring for many, these Toyota advertisements. His collection of work combined humor and humanity, and his legacy subtly influenced how a car commercial may resemble a sketch show with improved fuel economy.