Elizabeth Neuville. Photos: Shari Fleming Photography
Elizabeth Neuville is the first person with Down syndrome to be cast for Culver’s.
It all started with an email from Eric Knott, the owner of the Culver’s on Quinwood Lane in Plymouth. “Culver’s occasionally invites team members to help tell the Culver’s story by featuring them in our promotions,” he wrote to Patty Neuville, employee Elizabeth Neuville’s mom, adding, “Elizabeth immediately came to mind for this opportunity.” The 24-year-old Armstrong High School alum filled out the online application and sent a video of her explaining why she wanted to be in a Culver’s commercial. “I was so excited when I received an email inviting me for an online call-back interview with Culver’s staff and some of the production crew,” Elizabeth says.
Elizabeth says that the interview went well, and she felt optimistic. “My mom reminded me that this is a national campaign and they were only choosing six people, but I told her, ‘You never know, mom!’” Elizabeth says. Not only did Elizabeth land a spot on Culver’s American Tradition Fish Fry commercial, she made history in the process. “After reaching out to Culver’s to see if they had ever cast a commercial with a person with Down syndrome, their response was ‘Elizabeth is the first! And she set the bar so very high!’” Elizabeth says. “I think that is really cool, and I’m proud to have that history.”
We connected with Elizabeth to learn more about her national TV debut.
What was your reaction when you heard you had been cast?
My parents came into Culver’s and surprised me with the exciting news. The managers were there, and my mom asked me if I had asked for time off next month. I was a little confused, and then they held up a sign: “You Did It! Culver’s Commercial—Yay!” I was so thrilled, honored and overly excited, and so were my co-workers. Anxiously waiting the very long 13 days since the last interview really paid off when I was chosen. I’m excited for the next eight weeks to possibly catch myself on TV, but I can also view the commercials [on] YouTube.
What was the process of filming the commercial like?
So instead of driving to Culver’s corporate headquarters in Wisconsin, they changed the location and flew us to Florida. We met the team the first night and were given the production agenda. The next two days, we were picked up early and brought to the Culver’s restaurant in Palmetto for long but fun work days. We were escorted to the VIP trailer where I was fitted with a new Culver’s uniform, and they did my hair and makeup. They then fit me with a microphone and directed us to say specific words and phrases while doing various activities throughout the store. Some shots we had to do over and over to get it just right. Since these two commercials are about the Traditional American Fish Fry, they served plenty of freshly made fish and shrimp, which made me hungry, but as servers we were not allowed to eat. There were almost 40 production crew members, six employee cast members, a few groups of cast guests and a lot of lights, cameras and equipment. It was a very fun experience, and I learned a lot.
Do you have a standout memory from filming the commercial?
My favorite memory was seeing the co-founder of Culver’s, Craig Culver, and working with his daughter Brittany, my cast members and production crews from all over the United States—and I am in both commercials! The other standout memory was during our last dinner together. I talked to the production director and suggested we get a video of our group doing Craig Culver’s famous line, “From Wisconsin with love, welcome to delicious!” Since Craig had left, they let me be the lead. Oh, and another favorite … one of my Culver’s coworkers attended the Culver’s 2026 Corporate Reunion at the Nashville Convention Center and sent me a picture of me on a giant poster hanging from the ceiling with Culver’s campaign slogan: Purpose People Heart.
In her free time, Elizabeth Neuville is also an ambassador and participant at GiGi’s Playhouse, a nonprofit community center in St. Louis Park.
Your commercial will be airing for the next eight weeks—have you been recognized by people in the community?
Yes, I have been recognized, and it’s still so unbelievable! A friend reached out and said, “I saw you on TV this morning at LifeTime when I was on the treadmill,” and another said, “I had to rewind because I thought I saw you while watching the Olympics last night!” Many of my friends and family from different states have commented on social media, which makes me feel really good and some even want my autograph. I am so honored to be a representative for Culver’s who has allowed me to gain skills from wiping tables, to serving and cashiering; plus they have really good food.
View Elizabeth Neuville’s commercials on Culver’s YouTube channel.
