New Colonel Sanders

Do you recognize KFC's new Colonel Sanders? Look closely, 'Seinfeld' fans!

Aly Walansky


Jason Alexander's latest foray into comedy involves a white beard and a crisp performance — make than an extra crispy performance.


The "Seinfeld" alum is the latest incarnation of Colonel Harland Sanders, following in the footsteps of celebrities like Rob Lowe and Reba McEntire. Starting Monday, ads featuring Alexander as the beloved colonel will start airing nationwide to promote the chicken chain's $20 Fill Ups, value meals that are now available in four different varieties.

A longtime fan of comfort food, Alexander didn't have any problem identifying with the colonel's love of chicken. "Have you noticed my waistline over the years? When I'm out and about it is no lie, you will see me at a KFC!" Alexander told TODAY Food.

He even admitted to a pretty wacky fast-food habit: Since he loves peanut butter, the actor often enjoys pairing it with fried chicken! "Don't think I'm crazy [but] peanut butter with fried chicken is very, very interesting," he said

Alexander’s background as a sitcom star was fitting for the latest KFC commercials, which are all centered around the family dinner conundrum. “As the son of two working parents, there were plenty of dinnertimes when a bucket of chicken and all the fix-ins saved the day,” said Alexander. “It’s been fun to combine my personal love for KFC with my sitcom experience into a new take on the role of Colonel Sanders.”


Jason Alexander is the new face of KFC and he's slinging a new selection of value meals from the chicken chain.

As for his favorite past celebrity Sanders?

Alexander said that he was blown away by Reba McEntire, the brand's first female lead to take on the role. "You know, all the other guys, you sit there and you go 'Who is that?' Sometimes the voice just gives them away," Alexander said. "I was looking at Reba ... and I know it's a woman and that's really interesting, and I'm thinking 'Who is that woman?' It took me about almost five, six, seven viewings to get it!"

He added, "I just thought it was inspired thinking to go that far out of the box for someone to play the colonel — just to have a woman do it. That is what I thought was brilliant."