Who Is the Woman in the Kohl’s Commercial : The woman in the Kohl’s commercial is Ellie Kemper, the American actress and comedian best known for playing Erin Hannon in The Office and the lead role in Netflix’s Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
Kemper plays Kohl’s Mom, a funny and confident shopping sidekick who appears whenever customers need advice, a better deal or a little encouragement.
Kohl’s introduced the character in spring 2025. However, Kohl’s Mom did not disappear after one seasonal campaign. Kemper returned for back-to-school and Christmas adverts later that year. She has also appeared in new 2026 commercials promoting spring fashion, activewear and Mother’s Day offers.
For viewers who recognise her face but cannot remember her name, the answer is simple: the upbeat woman appearing in the latest Kohl’s commercials is Ellie Kemper.
Kohl’s Commercial Actress: Quick Answer
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who is the woman in the Kohl’s commercial? | Ellie Kemper |
| What character does she play? | Kohl’s Mom |
| When did the campaign begin? | Spring 2025 |
| Is she still appearing in Kohl’s adverts? | Yes. New commercials continued into 2026 |
| Where might viewers recognise her from? | The Office, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Bridesmaids |
| Is Ellie Kemper a mother in real life? | Yes. She has two sons |
| What is the campaign selling? | Fashion, homeware, family shopping offers and seasonal promotions |
Who Is the Woman in the Kohl’s Commercial?
The actress in the Kohl’s advert is Ellie Kemper.
Kemper brings an instantly recognisable style of comedy to the campaign. She is warm, energetic and slightly awkward in a way that feels natural rather than scripted.
That personality is a close match for the Kohl’s Mom character.
Instead of acting like a polished celebrity spokesperson, Kohl’s Mom behaves more like the friend who appears at exactly the right moment. She offers practical advice, spots a bargain and gives shoppers the confidence to try something new.
In the original campaign, Kohl’s described the character as a “stylish sidekick” who helps customers find outfits for weddings, work and everyday life.
The result feels less like a conventional retail advert and more like a short comedy sketch set inside a department store.
What Happens in the Ellie Kemper Kohl’s Commercial?
Several Kohl’s Mom adverts have aired since the campaign began. Therefore, viewers may have seen different versions.
In one of the early commercials, a shopper tries on a pair of flowing white trousers. Kemper appears nearby and tells her that she looks ready to walk the red carpet.
The customer tests the outfit with an enthusiastic high kick. Kohl’s Mom responds with the kind of delighted reaction that Kemper has made part of her comedy style.
Other commercials place the character in familiar shopping situations:
Finding seasonal fashion at the right price
Helping parents shop for back-to-school clothing
Promoting Christmas presents and last-minute gifts
Highlighting activewear and practical everyday outfits
Offering humorous Mother’s Day suggestions
The scenes are brief, but the format remains consistent. Kohl’s Mom arrives, understands the problem and gives the shopper a quick confidence boost.
When Did Ellie Kemper Start Appearing in Kohl’s Commercials?
Kohl’s introduced Ellie Kemper as Kohl’s Mom in March 2025.
The first campaign ran during spring and summer. Kohl’s positioned the character as a useful shopping companion for busy parents who wanted style, comfort and value without spending hours searching.
The retailer then brought her back for a back-to-school campaign in July 2025. Those adverts focused on the familiar pressure parents face when children need clothing, shoes and supplies before a new school year.
Kemper returned again for Kohl’s Christmas advertising. In the festive spots, the character helped shoppers deal with “present predicaments,” including difficult gift choices and last-minute purchases.
The campaign has continued into 2026. Recent adverts include spring clothing promotions, an FLX activewear spot and Mother’s Day commercials.
That extended run matters. Kohl’s is no longer testing a single celebrity advert. The retailer is building a recurring character that viewers can recognise within seconds.
Why Ellie Kemper Is a Smart Choice for Kohl’s Mom
Ellie Kemper is a strong fit for the campaign because audiences already associate her with optimistic, likeable characters.
Many viewers first saw her as Erin Hannon in The Office. Erin joined the Dunder Mifflin team as a receptionist and quickly became known for her cheerful personality and unusual reactions.
Kemper later played the title character in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. The Netflix comedy gave her a leading role and made full use of her energetic delivery.
She also appeared in films such as:
Bridesmaids
21 Jump Street
The Secret Life of Pets
Home Sweet Home Alone
Happiness for Beginners
Kohl’s did not cast an actress who needed to create a new public image. It chose someone whose existing screen persona already matched the campaign.
That makes the advert easier to understand. Viewers see Kemper, recognise her comic style and immediately understand the tone.
Is Ellie Kemper Really a Mother?
Yes. Ellie Kemper has two sons.
That real-life connection helps the campaign. Kemper is not simply pretending to understand busy parents. She has spoken publicly about balancing family life, comfort and practical shopping choices.
In an interview with People when the campaign launched, Kemper joked that she did not need to do much acting because she was already a Kohl’s mom in real life.
That is part of the reason the character feels convincing. The humour is exaggerated, but the shopping situations remain familiar.
Why the Kohl’s Mom Campaign Works
Retail advertising often falls into one of two traps. Some commercials focus too heavily on price reductions. Others use celebrities with little connection to the product or audience.
Kohl’s takes a different route.
The retailer uses Kemper as a recurring character who can connect seasonal promotions without making every advert feel identical.
| Campaign choice | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Recognisable comedy actress | Viewers quickly remember where they have seen her before |
| Recurring character | Each new advert strengthens recognition |
| Everyday shopping problems | The scenes feel familiar to parents and family shoppers |
| Humour | The sales message feels lighter |
| Seasonal updates | Kohl’s can reuse the character throughout the year |
| Practical advice | The character presents the store as useful rather than pushy |
This is a form of character-led advertising.
Kohl’s Mom sits somewhere between a celebrity endorsement and an advertising mascot. Kemper remains recognisable as herself, but the repeated role gives the campaign its own identity.
The same principle helps explain why viewers search for the actors in the latest T-Mobile commercials or want to know more about the John Travolta Capital One Christmas advert.
People often remember a face or character before they remember the offer.
Is Ellie Kemper in the New 2026 Kohl’s Commercial?
Yes. Ellie Kemper has continued to appear as Kohl’s Mom in commercials released during 2026.
One spring fashion advert places her back inside the store, helping shoppers choose seasonal clothing. Another spot promotes Kohl’s FLX activewear range and features Dylan Efron.
Kemper has also appeared in Mother’s Day promotions. These adverts build on the same idea: shopping advice delivered with a quick joke and an approachable tone.
The exact commercial viewers see may depend on the season, the sale or the television market. However, the woman playing Kohl’s Mom remains Ellie Kemper.
Why Do People Search for the Kohl’s Commercial Actress?
The question is popular because Kemper is instantly familiar without being overexposed.
Viewers often have one of three reactions:
“I know her from somewhere.”
“Was she in The Office?”
“Is that the actress from Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt?”
The answer to the second and third questions is yes.
This type of recognition creates useful search traffic for brands. The advert stays in the viewer’s mind after it ends, while the actress gives people a reason to look it up.
From a marketing perspective, that is a strong result. The audience is not simply watching the commercial. It is actively searching for the campaign afterwards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who plays Kohl’s Mom in the commercials?
Ellie Kemper plays Kohl’s Mom. She has appeared in the retailer’s advertising since spring 2025.
Is the woman in the Kohl’s commercial from The Office?
Yes. Ellie Kemper played Erin Hannon in The Office.
Is the Kohl’s commercial actress also Kimmy Schmidt?
Yes. Ellie Kemper played the title role in Netflix’s Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
Who is the woman in the Kohl’s spring commercial?
The woman in the Kohl’s spring advert is Ellie Kemper. She appears as the recurring Kohl’s Mom character.
Who appears with Ellie Kemper in the Kohl’s FLX commercial?
Dylan Efron appears with Ellie Kemper in a 2026 commercial promoting Kohl’s FLX activewear range.
Is Kohl’s Mom a real employee?
No. Kohl’s Mom is an advertising character played by Ellie Kemper.
Was Ellie Kemper in the Kohl’s Christmas commercial?
Yes. Kemper returned for Kohl’s Christmas advertising after the character’s spring and back-to-school campaigns.
Does Ellie Kemper have children?
Yes. Ellie Kemper has two sons.
Final Answer: Who Is the Woman in the Kohl’s Commercial?
The woman in the Kohl’s commercial is Ellie Kemper.
She plays Kohl’s Mom, the funny and helpful shopping companion who has appeared in the retailer’s advertising since spring 2025.
Kemper is best known for The Office and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. However, the Kohl’s campaign gives her a new recurring role that feels like a natural fit.
By using one familiar character across spring fashion, back-to-school, Christmas and Mother’s Day advertising, Kohl’s has created something many retail campaigns lack: a face that viewers remember.
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About Will Corry
Will Corry is the founder and publisher of TheMarketingBlog. He has covered marketing, media, branding and advertising campaigns for more than 30 years. His articles examine why adverts attract attention, how brands use familiar faces and what marketers can learn from the campaigns people remember.