Clara Peller (August 4, 1902–August 11, 1987), was an American senior citizen who starred in the legendary "Where's the beef?" advertisement for Wendy's fast-food restaurant chain.
Clara's "Where's the beef" line became an instant catch-phrase, with even presidential candidate Walter Mondale using it.
Popular belief is that she lost her role with the Wendy's company after she appeared in a dog food ad, proudly proclaiming "I found the beef!" The actual reason for her termination from Wendy's was an ad for Prego spaghetti sauce in 1985 in which she exclaimed "I found it!" or "I finally found it!", in reference to "Where's the beef?"
She starred in the low-rated, low-budget 1985 Neal Israel comedy, Moving Violations , along side John Murray , Sally Kellerman, Fred Willard and Jennifer Tilly, where she played a haphazard driver needing to renew her license at traffic school. Clara Peller died at the age of 85 on August 11, 1987.
