It has been proven time and time again that in the age of the Internet, just one tiny moment can snowball into something much bigger.
That's exactly what happened in the creation of "Jake from State Farm."
Once just a line in an early-2010s commercial, Jake from State Farm has now become one of the most important spokespeople in the insurance game. He ranks among the most recognizable faces of the industry — along with Flo from Progressive and the GEICO Gecko — and may only see his popularity grow with increased exposure.
But who exactly is Jake from State Farm? While he has appeared in commercials with many top-tier athletes and has been seen commiserating with the Kelces, not many know him well outside of his role as Jake.
MORE: Inside the "Great googly moogly" commercial featuring Andy Reid
Here's what to know about the actor who plays Jake from State Farm and what happened to the original person in that role.
Who is Jake from State Farm?
"Jake from State Farm" is a character created by State Farm who serves as a spokesperson for the company. He is currently played by Kevin Miles, but was originally portrayed by Jake Stone.
The character of Jake from State Farm first appeared in a 2011 spot called "State of Unrest." The commercial features a man who is discovered by his wife talking on the phone with someone at 3 a.m.
She questions to whom he is talking; he simply responds, "It's Jake, from State Farm."
The woman then grabs the phone away from her husband and asks, "What are you wearing, Jake from State Farm?"
The cut then reveals a State Farm agent on the other line who replies, "Uh, khakis."
The commercial instantly became a hit, so much so that the company decided to make the character of Jake their official spokesperson. The original Jake played the role for a while but eventually, the company hired another actor to play the role.
Jake from State Farm real name
The current Jake from State Farm is portrayed by actor Kevin Miles. Miles began appearing in ads for the company in 2020 and has since been a prolific presence across their advertising campaigns.
Miles has been in dozens of commercials, has voiced Jake in the NBA 2K games and has a strong social media presence in his role with State Farm. He has appeared in commercials with numerous athletes too, the most notable being Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Derrick Henry and Chris Paul.
Aside from his role as Jake from State Farm, Miles has appeared on episodes of Criminal Minds, iCarly and Pretty Smart while also appearing in the movie Tall Girl 2. He has also appeared in commercials for other companies such as Coors Light, 5 Hour Energy, Henry's Hard Sparkling Water, T-Mobile, Hyundai, McDonald's, Pepsi, Taco Bell and Bose, per his IMDB biography.
MORE: How Taylor Swift's Eagles fandom is at odds with her Chiefs-centered love interest
Old Jake from State Farm actor
The old Jake from State Farm was portrayed by Jake Stone. He actually wasn't an actor by trade when put into the commercial. He worked for State Farm and drew his way into the commercial after answering a casting call for the company.
Ultimately, Stone was selected from that casting call to participate in that commercial. From there, his popularity grew and he earned recognition from his friends scattered across the country.
"I'm getting calls from friends from all over... New York, Florida," he told The Pantagraph in 2011. "They all say, 'I just saw a State Farm commercial. Are you really on TV?'"
Stone earned a certain amount of fame from that, but it remains one of his only ever commercial appearances.
What happened to the original Jake from State Farm?
Stone eventually left his job at State Farm having participated in the one commercial. He was a bartender in Illinois as of 2014 and is married with two children as of 2023. But during the last 12 years, he has largely remained out of the public eye since.
The one exception came in 2020 when Stone returned to appear in a commercial spot alongside Miles. The ad served as a passing-of-the-torch-type moment for the two Jakes.
That marked the second (and final) commercial in which Stone participated.
Jake from State Farm net worth
Miles' net worth isn't known, as there are only estimates publicly available about what he makes per commercial and per year from State Farm.
MORE: Inside the Kelce brothers' Campbell's Chunky Soup ad
Jake from State Farm hanging with athletes
During his time working with Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes, Miles has become close with the duo. He once called Mahomes his "brother" while being interviewed before Super Bowl 57.
“You know, it's it's honestly been such an honor because he is such a great athlete and such a fun person to be around," Miles told KSHB 41. "I mean he’s such a professional on set, but we keep it fun every time. And we started this whole thing together. I really feel like he's a brother of mine. So I'm just blessed to be here. I love it."
Mahomes isn't the only member of the Chiefs with whom Miles is close. He has also spent time with Travis Kelce, who is part of the "Mahomes and MaAuto" State Farm campaign.
Miles' relationship with Kelce also earned him a seat next to Donna Kelce at the Eagles vs. Commanders game on Oct. 1, 2023.
In my red era with Mama MaAuto pic.twitter.com/AW0M3I0jlC
— Jake from State Farm (@JakeStateFarm) October 1, 2023
That led Jason Kelce to shout out Miles on social media as a valued, celebrity guest. This came as his brother Travis was getting his girlfriend Taylor Swift to attend games.
I also have a superstar in my corner. @JakeStateFarm pic.twitter.com/Iq07ih9OL9
— Jason Kelce (@JasonKelce) October 1, 2023
Miles has also spent time with Derrick Henry, who now stars in his own State Farm commercial.
Iowa's Caitlin Clark has also participated in some State Farm ads. That has led her to spend some time with Miles, as seen on the Jake from State Farm Instagram account.
As Miles' relationship with State Farm endures, so too will his Rolodex of athletes coworkers and friends.
As it stands, it appears that he has a good relationship with those he has worked with, and it will be interesting to see where — and with whom — he ends up next.
