Cal Worthington

Calvin Coolidge Worthington (November 27, 1920 – September 8, 2013) was an American car dealer, best known in Southern California and other parts of the West Coast of the United States for his offbeat radio and television advertisements for the Worthington Dealership Group. At its peak, the dealership chain spanned the western and southwestern United States. He also made minor appearances and was parodied in various films and television programs.

Worthington became widely recognized for his commercials, often introduced with the catchphrase, "Here's Cal Worthington and his dog Spot!" Despite the phrase, "Spot" was never a dog, but rather an exotic animal—or even a vehicle—featured in the commercial. The campaign became a regional cultural fixture.

A 1990 profile in The Sacramento Bee noted that Worthington grossed $316.8 million in 1988, making him the largest individual owner of a car dealership chain at the time. His advertising agency, Spot Advertising, handled a $15 million commercial budget—reportedly the largest of any U.S. auto dealer. Worthington sold automobiles from 1945 until his death and also owned a 24,000-acre (9,700 ha; 38 sq mi) ranch near Orland, California.