The GEICO Gecko

We all know this "guy''' or do we? Did you know that Geico Insurance is owned by a company which is owned by Warren Buffett?  It is, but this has nothing to do with the actual gecko.

Jake Wood

The gecko first appeared in 1999 during the Screen Actors Guild strike that prevented the use of live actors. The Martin (Advertising) Agency of Richmond, Virginia created The Gecho. Dan Kelly was the first voice used. His cockney accent was used for shock value - who would expect a gecko to speak with a cockney accent? The voice was replaced by a working class accent provided by Jake Wood, an working English actor. Wood is a married 38 year old father of two.

So, is the Gecko English or Australian? We're not sure, but we do know that his voice is English.