Illinois native is the actor in the new Geico caveman commercial

The popular Geico caveman commercials are back. And that means an Illinois native is in the national spotlight.

Who plays the Geico Caveman?

Jeff Daniel Phillips, a Chicago native, is the actor in the new Geico caveman commercials. He also was previously the Geico caveman.

There have actually been multiple actors playing the Geico caveman over the years, including John Lehr and McManus Woodend.

McManus Woodend story from archives: Where's the GEICO 'caveman' now? He's teaching in Indiana.

When did the Geico caveman commercial air first?

The caveman first aired in 2004 with the "So easy a caveman can do it" ad campaign," according to Geico.

What's in the new Geico caveman commercial?

In the new Geico caveman commercial, he wakes up out of his sleep suddenly. His companion asks "Honey, what is it?"

Then he tells her, "They said that line again," referring to the famous slogan. When she starts to say it, he stops her mid-sentence.

She alludes to the fact that he's been dealing with an issue for weeks, and he says it's because of a letter asking him to participate in a documentary.

She reminds him he wants to set the record straight. "Not like this," he says.

"They turned me into a punchline," he says.

There are multiple versions of the commercial, including one that is 30 seconds and another that is two minutes.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Who plays the Geico caveman? Jeff Daniel Phillips. He's from Illinois