You probably saw how Tim Allen became Santa Claus in the movie “The Santa Clause”. Well, it’s nothing like that in real life.
Here’s how it happened to many other professional Santas and me I know.
We somehow volunteered (often pretty reluctantly) to be Santa Claus at a function of some sort, a church function, a fundraiser, a community event… and we fell in love with it.
Many professional Santa Clauses are retired, and they “become Santa” strictly for the love of it. Often, they do volunteer activities primarily… I did that for seven years.
Others become Santa Claus to supplement their income. Many Santas work in malls or other retail shops like Bass Pro. They get to do work they love and earn some extra money while they’re at it.
Some Santas want to “take it to the next level.” This is what I’ve done. After 7 years of primarily volunteering as Santa Claus at local events in southern Oregon, I decided to “go all-in as Santa Claus.” I arranged for seasonal housing in Los Angeles and started drumming up business.
I booked some great Santa Claus gigs in Los Angeles, and before long, I had a Hollywood Talent Agent, and I was going on auditions to play Santa Claus on TV commercials.
I think I could write a book on “How to Become Santa Claus in Hollywood.”
Well, here’s my Santa Claus resume…
Personal Appearances:
- Santa Claus Jimmy Kimmel cast & crew party (2016)
- Santa Claus Ellen DeGeneres cast & crew party (2016)
- Santa Claus The Late Late Show with James Corden cast & crew party (2016)
- Santa Claus Montage Hotel Beverly Hills (2015 & 16)
- Santa Claus International Cinematographers Guild (2013, 14, 15, 16)
- Santa Claus Motion Picture Editors Guild (2016)
- Santa Claus Paramount Studios (2016)
- Santa Claus Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills (2013, 14, 15, 16)
- Santa Claus Los Angeles Rams (2016)
- Santa Claus Los Angeles Lakers (2014, 16)
- Santa Claus Los Angeles Clippers (2014)
- Santa Claus Los Angeles Children’s Hospital (2016)
- Santa Claus Mattel Toys (2012, 13, 14, 16)
- Santa Claus Microsoft/Century City Mall (2011)
- Santa Claus Pinterest Company Party (2016)
- Santa Claus Facebook Company Party (2014, 15, 16)
- Santa Claus Jib Jab Company Party (2014)
- Santa Claus Riot Games Company Party (2014, 15, 16)
- Santa Claus US Air Force (2013, 14, 15, 16)
- Santa Claus USC (2015)
- Santa Claus Young Americans (2014, 15, 16)
- Santa Claus The Ebell (2013, 14, 15, 16)
- Santa Claus In N Out Burger (2014, 15)
- Santa Claus L.A. County Women’s Jail (2015)
- Santa Claus 3rd Street Promenade Santa Monica (2013, 14, 15, 16)
- Santa Claus YouTube Space (2014, 15)
- Santa Claus ArcLight Cinemas (2016)
- Santa Claus Wiltern Theater (2016)
- Santa Claus Old Town Pasadena (2014)
- Santa Claus Many More Company Parties (2013, 14, 15, 16)
- Santa Claus Many Events at Country Clubs (2013, 14, 15, 16)
- Santa Claus Many Foundation Events (2013, 14, 15, 16)
- Santa Claus Many Home Parties & Private Celebrity Events (2013, 14, 15, 16)
Entertainment Industry Related:
Film
| Beverly Hills Christmas 2 | Santa Claus | |
| Daddy’s Home (Movie Trailer) | Santa Claus | |
| Conversations with God | Santa Claus | |
| Santa Stole Our Dog! | Santa Claus Ed Asner Stand-In |
Television
| Jimmy Kimmel Show | Santa Claus | |
| The Doctors | Santa Claus | |
| Greatest Holiday Commercial Countdown | Santa Claus | |
| The Today Show | Santa Claus – Guest | |
| MTV’s Ridiculousness | Santa Claus | |
| Guilty Pleasures | Santa Claus | |
| The Talk | Santa Claus – Guest | |
| KTLA News 2015 | Santa Claus | |
| Dose Morning Show | Santa Claus | |
| That Awkward Game Show | Santa Claus | |
| TMZ | Santa Claus | |
| Let’s Ask America | Santa Claus | |
| Supreme Justice with Judge Karen | Santa Claus | |
| KTLA News 2014 | Santa Claus | |
| The John Kerwin Show | Santa Claus – Guest |
Commercials
| Chrysler ‘PacifiKids: Elves’ | Sales Manager / Santa Claus | |
| Meijer – Do You See What I See | Mystery Man / Santa Claus | |
| Band Aid Stocking Stuffers | Santa Claus | |
| Chrysler ‘PacifiKids: Manager’ | Santa Claus | |
| Reddi Whip – I Am Not Your Dad | Santa Claus | |
| Chrysler ‘PacifiKids: Great Deal’ | Santa Claus | |
| Kohl’s “Celebrate Healthy Lives” | Santa Claus | |
| Chrysler ‘PacifiKids’ Song by OneRepublic’ | Santa Claus | |
| Urban Home | Santa Claus | |
| Chrysler ‘PacifiKids: Stowing & Screens’ | Santa Claus | |
| Imperial Woodpecker w/NDA | Santa Claus | |
| Visit Palm Springs | Santa Claus | |
| Coca Cola – Tinder | Santa Claus | |
| Hello Santa | Santa Claus | |
| Palm Springs Tram | Santa Claus |
| Ho Ho Ho Holidays | Santa Claus | Palisadian Post Cover |
| Sunset Magazine | Santa Claus | Ashland Visitors Bureau |
| PhotoFuse | Santa Claus | Microsoft |
| Cover Story | Santa Claus | LA Times |
| Oregon Dept. Transportation | Santa Claus | ODOT |
| Hello Santa | Santa Claus | JibJab |
| Palm Springs Tram | Santa Claus | Phillip Large |
| Sunday Entertainment | Santa Claus | Daily Breeze |
| Santa at Home | Santa Claus | Colt Seman |
Internet
| Coca Cola – Tinder | Santa Claus | Colt Seman |
| Hallmark – “Secret Santa” | Santa Claus | Spirit Clips |
| SnapChat | Wizard | Rylee Ebsen |
| FLIR – The Heat | Santa Claus | Sean Blixseth |
| JibJab – Hello Santa | Santa Claus | Clinton Fanelli |
| Santas Try Xmas Treats | Santa Claus | BuzzFeed |
| Santas Try Novelty Candy Canes | Santa Claus | BuzzFeed |
| Santa Visits Eliopulos Jewelers | Santa Claus | Pete Eliopulos |
| The Try Guys | Santa Claus | BuzzFeed |
I was also the Santa recruiter, trainer, and national “Brand Ambassador” for 2 years with “Hello Santa”
I’ve worked with photo studios, and open-air photographers.
I’m Santa Claus for the “Just BeClaus” sticker emjoi’s with Hallmark eCards.
I’ve appeared as Santa Claus in many parades & Tree Lighting ceremonies.
I was Santa Claus at a Hollywood “Red Carpet” movie premiere at Paramount Studios.
Do you want to learn how to become a professional Santa Claus?
Join us here at the Worldwide Santa Claus Network.
