TORONTO — Soccer superstar David Beckham slipped comfortably into a second career as an underwear model — first for Emporio Armani and then for an eponymous collection sold through retailer H&M.
“We all wish that we looked like David Beckham at the end of the day,” fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger recently told TMZ.
“He’s the underwear model of the century.”
While Beckham may be the century’s top underwear model, he’s not the first famous man to combine brawn and briefs for an advertising campaign.
Here’s a look at 10 of the other famous men who stripped down for billboards.
Jim Palmer
The Baltimore Orioles star pitcher and Baseball Hall of Fame inductee spent two decades as pitchman for Jockey underwear starting in the ’70s. In addition to appearing in advertisements, Palmer made over 500 in-store appearances to promote the brand. Palmer is now 68.
Antonio Sabàto, Jr.
The Italian-born, California-raised Sabàto, Jr. got noticed as a Calvin Klein underwear model and was cast in the video for Janet Jackson’s “Love Will Never Do (Without You).” He also turned his underwear exposure into an acting career on shows like General Hospital and in movies like last year’s Baby Daddy.
Mark Wahlberg
After the success of “Good Vibrations” by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, Wahlberg signed on as a model for Calvin Klein underwear. The images for the ads were shot by famed photographer Herb Ritts and made Wahlberg a household name.
Travis Fimmel
Discovered working out in a gym in his native Australia, Fimmel became the first male to earn a six-figure contract to model exclusively for Calvin Klein. He went on to a successful acting career, including a starring role in the History series Vikings.
Freddie Ljungberg
The Swedish soccer star put it all out there for a 2003 Calvin Klein underwear campaign that was reportedly one of the brand’s most successful ever.
Djimon Hounsou
Hounsou was already successful in acting — he earned Oscar nods for In America and Blood Diamond — when he was named a Calvin Klein underwear model in 2007. The native of West Africa, now 49, can be seen next in Fast & Furious 7.
Cristiano Ronaldo
The Portuguese soccer star followed in the cleat-steps of David Beckham as celebrity model for Emporio Armani underwear in 2009. Last year, Ronaldo partnered with a Danish company to create his own line of underwear, CR7.
Kellan Lutz
After a string of guest roles on TV shows and a breakout role as Emmett Cullen in the Twilight movies, Lutz slipped into Calvin Klein briefs for a campaign in 2010.
Jamie Dornan
The Irish musician, model and actor appeared in a Calvin Klein underwear campaign both by himself and opposite beauties like Eva Mendes. Next year, Dornan will be seen in a lot less in the Fifty Shades of Grey movie.
Rafael Nadal
The tennis pro replaced Cristiano Ronaldo as the face of Emporio Armani underwear in 2011.
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