Something about Colonel Sanders feels comforting.
Like he’s my actual uncle.
He’s given me years of tasty chicken, and I feel emotionally connected to him.
So I got to thinking: Which brand mascots are based on real people?
And there’s quite a few more backstories to all of these brands that I realized.
Rich Uncle Pennybags (Monopoly)
Monopoly’s mascot has always been formally known as Rich Uncle Pennybags, later rebranded as Mr. Monopoly in 1999.
He first appeared in the 1930s as a satire of wealthy American bankers, modeled after the real-life Gilded Age tycoon J.P. Morgan.
Mustache? Morgan.
Three-piece suit? Morgan.
Bald head? Morgan.
Entire vibe of “I own the bank and also the sidewalk you’re standing on”?
Definitely Morgan.
So yes, the Monopoly guy isn’t just a cartoon. He’s basically the friendly, board-game-safe version of one of the most powerful financial titans in American history.
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