Mason Reese, born on April 11, 1965, is an American former child actor and restaurant entrepreneur. He rose to fame in the 1970s through dozens of memorable television commercials.
Reese appeared in over 75 commercials during his childhood career, earning seven Clio Awards along the way.
Who is Mason Reese?
Mason Reese is an American former child actor who gained widespread recognition through television commercials in the 1970s. His most famous ads include spots for Underwood Deviled Ham, Post Raisin Bran, Dunkin’ Donuts Munchkins, and Ivory Snow.
Beyond commercials, Reese also became a frequent talk show guest. His charm and quick wit made him a fan favorite on programs like The Mike Douglas Show, Good Morning America, and the Dick Cavett show.
Reese appeared on The Mike Douglas Show more than 25 times, even co-hosting three separate weeks.
In 1974, Reese co-authored a memoir titled The Memoirs of Mason Reese, in Cahoots with Lynn Haney. Mike Douglas dedicated several pages to Reese in his own autobiography, noting that Reese received the highest ratings in the show’s history.
After retiring from acting, Reese built a second career as a restaurant entrepreneur in New York City. He owned and operated several establishments over the years, including Paladar, Destination Bar and Grille, and the Luxury Box sports bar.
Early Life of Mason Reese
Mason Reese was born on April 11, 1965, in Los Angeles, California. His parents were William Reese, a theater set designer and marketing services company president, and Sonia Darrin, a former American film actress.
His mother is best remembered for her role as Agnes Lowzier alongside Humphrey Bogart in the 1946 film The Big Sleep. Sonia Darrin passed away on July 19, 2020, in New York City at the age of 96.
Growing up in an entertainment-connected household gave Reese early exposure to the industry.
Mason Reese Age
Mason Reese is 61 years old as of June 15, 2026, born on April 11, 1965. His zodiac sign is Aries. Today, Reese works as a personal manager at Mason Reese Management in New York City.
Mason Reese Ethnicity and Nationality
Mason Reese holds American nationality. Multiple sources describe him as being of Caucasian ethnicity. His mother, Sonia Darrin, was a notable figure in American cinema during the 1940s.
Mason Reese Height and Weight
Mason Reese stands at 4 feet 10 inches (147 cm) tall. His weight is reportedly around 214 lbs (97 kg), though this figure is not publicly confirmed. Reese has a large build and has spoken publicly about using a mobility scooter for getting around.
Reese reportedly lives with osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic disorder affecting bone strength. This condition also affects height and joint flexibility. Despite this, Reese has spoken openly about his life and health in multiple media interviews.
His short stature and distinctive red hair became part of his recognizable identity during his child star years.
Mason Reese Education
Reese attended Saint Michael’s Montessori School, a non-denominational elementary school in Manhattan, through the fourth grade. In late 1975, he transferred to the Professional Children’s School in Manhattan, where he completed his studies.
Both schools are located in New York City, where Reese spent much of his childhood career.
The Professional Children’s School has long served students working professionally in the arts.
Mason Reese Career
Mason Reese began his acting career at just four years old. His first commercial was for Ivory Snow detergent, filmed in 1969. By the early 1970s, his face was appearing on television screens across the United States.
Career Breakthrough
Reese quickly became one of the most recognizable child faces in American advertising.
His most famous moment came in a commercial for Underwood Deviled Ham, where he humorously mispronounced the word “smorgasbord” as “borgasmord.” That ad caught the attention of audiences nationwide.
By age seven, WNBC in New York hired Reese as a contributing field reporter. He presented family-oriented segments for the network’s newscast, making him one of the youngest reporters in television history.
Reese appeared in over 75 commercials between 1969 and 1984.
Notable Projects
Beyond advertising, Reese pursued acting roles on television. In 1975, he filmed a sitcom pilot for ABC titled Mason, in which he played the lead character Mason Bennett. He also appeared as a regular contributor on Howard Cosell’s variety show.
In 1982, Reese and his mother created a series of syndicated 90-second radio spots called Mason and Mom.
The program featured Reese answering children’s questions from a child’s point of view while his mother offered an adult’s perspective.
Reese also appeared on the covers of major magazines during this period, including TV Guide.
Recent Work
In 1990, Reese appeared as himself in director Brett Ratner’s short film Whatever Happened to Mason Reese? This short film later appeared on the DVD of Ratner’s feature film Rush Hour.
In 2017, Reese returned to acting with the web series Life Interrupted on YouTube. The comedy series featured Reese playing a character named Mason Bell, a New Yorker living above a bar he co-owns with his ex-wife. Six episodes were released in total.
Reese has also appeared in segments on VH1 and the E! series Child Star Confidential, and served as a guest presenter at TV Land’s first awards ceremony.
Mason Reese Filmography
- Ivory Snow commercial (1969)
- Underwood Deviled Ham commercial (1970s)
- Dunkin’ Donuts Munchkins commercial (1970s)
- Post Raisin Bran commercial (1970s)
- Mason (ABC sitcom pilot, 1975)
- Mason and Mom (syndicated radio series, 1982)
- Whatever Happened to Mason Reese? (short film, 1990)
- Life Interrupted (web series, 2017)
Mason Reese Awards and Recognition
Reese earned seven Clio Awards for his commercial work during the 1970s. One of those was the coveted Best Male Actor in a Television Commercial. The Clio Awards recognize outstanding creative achievement in advertising.
His commercials became cultural touchstones in American television history. Mike Douglas publicly stated that Mason Reese’s appearances generated the highest ratings in the history of his show.
Reese’s 1970s commercials regularly appear in retrospectives about iconic American advertising.
Mason Reese Girlfriend
Mason Reese began dating Sarah Russi in 2018. Russi is an adult model and online entertainer, approximately 27 to 29 years younger than Reese.
The couple appeared publicly together on ITV’s This Morning in June 2019, where they discussed their relationship and their significant age gap.
The pair also appeared on the web series Love Don’t Judge, which documented unconventional relationships. Reese publicly defended their relationship, saying he was not a “sugar daddy” and that age had no bearing on their connection.
The couple split in 2022 following a public disagreement. Russi confirmed the breakup in interviews, stating the relationship had gradually become more like a friendship.
As of the available information, no publicly confirmed new relationship for Reese has been reported.
Mason Reese Net Worth
Mason Reese’s estimated net worth is $1 million as of 2026. His wealth stems from his decades-long career in television commercials and his subsequent work as a restaurant entrepreneur in New York City.
Over the years, Reese owned and operated several New York City businesses. These included the Latin restaurant Paladar on the Lower East Side, Destination Bar and Grille in the East Village, and the Luxury Box sports bar. All three establishments are now closed.
Reese currently works as a personal manager under the banner of Mason Reese Management.
Mason Reese Social Media
Reese is active on Instagram under the handle @masonreese411. His bio describes him as a former child star and personal manager at Mason Reese Management.
He also maintains a YouTube channel where he has shared clips from his career, including old commercial appearances and segments from his web series Life Interrupted.
Reese’s Instagram bio links to his management company website at masonreesemanagement.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mason Reese’s net worth?
Mason Reese’s estimated net worth is $1 million, earned through his television commercial career and restaurant businesses in New York City.
How old is Mason Reese?
Mason Reese is 61 years old as of June 15, 2026. He was born on April 11, 1965, in Los Angeles, California.
Who is Mason Reese dating?
Mason Reese dated Sarah Russi from 2018 until their split in 2022. No publicly confirmed relationship has been reported since then.
What is Mason Reese’s height?
Mason Reese stands at 4 feet 10 inches (147 cm) tall. He reportedly lives with osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic bone disorder.
What projects has Mason Reese been in?
Reese starred in over 75 television commercials during the 1970s, including ads for Underwood Deviled Ham and Dunkin’ Donuts. In 2017, he returned to acting with the web series Life Interrupted on YouTube.
Where was Mason Reese born?
Mason Reese was born in Los Angeles, California. He later grew up and built his career in New York City, where he still resides.
The Bottom Line
Mason Reese appeared in over 75 television commercials between 1969 and 1984, winning seven Clio Awards, including Best Male Actor in a Television Commercial. His Underwood Deviled Ham “borgasmord” ad remains one of the most fondly remembered moments in 1970s American advertising history.
Reese grew up in New York City with a strong artistic family background, the son of theater designer William Reese and film actress Sonia Darrin. After leaving acting, he spent years building and operating restaurants across Manhattan before transitioning into personal management.
Today, Reese runs Mason Reese Management and stays connected with fans through his Instagram presence. We hope you enjoyed reading about Mason Reese. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!