Major Hollywood Star Promotes University of Houston in New National TV Commercial

The University of Houston’s got its head in the game. First came the shocking, record-breaking $50-million gift from a secret donor. Now, a major Hollywood star is jumping into the Cougar act.

Award-winning actor and UH alum Dennis Quaid is starring in a new national TV commercial for the college.

The tradition of donning bold red on Cougar Red Fridays is the major theme of the sleek 30-second spot. But it’s not just for Fridays anymore. University of Houston’s new spot is centered around a “Game Day, Any Day” theme.

Quaid voices the commercial and even appears in a brief cameo featuring his blinding smile and so much school spirit in his red UH polo.

Produced internally by the UH Division of Marketing and Communications, this commercial celebrates all of the pride Cougars have for their university’s colors, traditions and everything they represent.

The commercial may only clock in at half a minute, but it packs a punch — bringing together all different members of the UH community and their common goals.

It starts off with a UH football player opening up his locker, revealing his bright red and white jersey.

Then it cuts to a UH student pulling a red top from her closet. Back to the football player, this time pulling his jersey on over his padding — then a bearded professional straightening his Cougar-red tie.

The football player ties up his shoes. Then, the next generation of The University of Houston. A close-up of some shiny new red shoes getting laced. It turns out they belong to a little kid, and his mom — wearing a red polo herself — ties them right up. “In this house, we wear red,” she says.

We see a UH softball player, a student, a track athlete.

“Cougar Red isn’t just what you wear,” plays in the background. Then, a cut to the speaker himself. “It’s who you are,” Quaid says proudly before grinning, hovering over the mic. Best voiceover reveal ever.

The striking commercial is set to debut this Sunday, September 1 — during the UH football team’s nationally televised season opening game at No. 4 Oklahoma.

The game airs at 6:30 pm Sunday on ABC. The new UH commercial will also air during each and every Cougars football game broadcast this season, plus during regional and national telecasts that feature UH athletics teams throughout this academic year.

Watch the new University of Houston commercial: