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Roma Downey just wasn't Irish enough for classic Irish Spring commercial

Before Roma Downey found fame on "Touched by an Angel," and long before she co-created and starred in "The Bible" and "Son of God," the Irish actress tried — but failed — to land a job in a commercial that seemed perfectly suited for her."I lived here in New York City when I first emigrated from Ireland," Downey explained in a Friday morning interview on TODAY. "I was a broke, out of work actr
Image: Roma Downey with Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford.
Today

Before Roma Downey found fame on "Touched by an Angel," and long before she co-created and starred in "The Bible" and "Son of God," the Irish actress tried — but failed — to land a job in a commercial that seemed perfectly suited for her.

"I lived here in New York City when I first emigrated from Ireland," Downey explained in a Friday morning interview on TODAY. "I was a broke, out of work actress, (and) I got a call to go in for an Irish Spring commercial."

And it wasn't just any Irish Spring commercial — it was the iconic "Manly, yes, but I like it, too" ad.

"I was sure I was going to get it," Downey said. "I was a shoo-in. I'm Irish for heaven's sake!"

But her then agent had some bad news for her.

"He said, 'You're never going to believe it — you didn't get it,'" she recalled. "'They said you didn't sound Irish enough.'"

Now, Downey has a message for the company.

"Listen, Irish Spring soap, wherever you are, you lost your chance!" she said in mock anger before picking up a bar, giving it a sniff and admitting, "I do like it too."

Image: Roma Downey with Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford.
Today

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