Jack is the fictional founder, CEO and ad spokesman for Jack in the Box. A former clown, Jack used to take customer orders from his position atop the company's drive-thru speaker box until he was literally blown up in a 1980 television commercial that marked the company's strategy to cater to adult tastes. Since you can't keep a good clown down, in 1995, Jack was brought back, not as a speaker box guardian, but in his current role with the company.

Following are some interesting facts about Jack:

• Jack's last name is... Box.
  
  
• According to Jack's California driver's license, he's 6'8" and weighs 195. And his birthday is May 16.
  
  
• Only the males in Jack's family tree possess the gene that results in oversized, bald heads.
  
  
• The "Jack's Back" campaign is the longest ongoing advertising campaign in the fast-food industry. Centered around humorous and entertaining television commercials featuring Jack, the campaign has received numerous awards including several Clios, Beldings, EFFIEs, and Bronze and Gold Lions from the Cannes International Advertising Festival for the best fast-food advertising in the world.
  
  
• Jack, fluent in English and Spanish, has starred in more than 300 television and radio commercials, including more than 100 Spanish-language ads. Jack's linguistic talents also include Mandarin, which he spoke in the 1999 television ad "Titans."
  
  
• Since the reintroduction of Jack, the company has sold more than 22 million antenna balls and more than 5 million other premiums bearing Jack's likeness. In the company's marketing campaign, Jack's antenna ball army serves as his sales force.
  
  
• Jack often shares glimpses into his personal life through the chain's television commercials. Over the past seven years, viewers have met Jack's wife, Cricket, and his son, Jack Jr. And those paying close attention know that Jack owns several classic cars, including a Dodge Viper.
  
  
• A true man of the people, Jack ran for president in 1996 and beat out Bill Clinton, Bob Dole and Dogbert (a popular cartoon character) in a national independent Virtual Vote poll; no recounts required.
  
  
• In March 1999, Jack joined Fred Flintstone, Santa Claus, Batman and other fictional legends when a likeness of his noggin was placed on top of a Pez dispenser.
  
  
• Jack rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Oct. 4, 1999, celebrating the company's name change from Foodmaker, Inc. to Jack in the Box Inc. The company's ticker symbol also changed that day from FM to JBX.
  
  
• During Super Bowl XXXV, Jack in the Box debuted a television commercial in which Jack announced his purchase of a professional football team, the Carnivores.
  
  
• Though often on the road, Jack has a reserved parking space in front of company's headquarters in San Diego.