Santa Claus – Modeled after a Tucson Radio and Television Personality

Harold “Hap” Arnold, a Tucson radio and television personality, was the model for the Santa Claus used in some Coca-Cola ads. The illustrator for the Coca-Cola ads, Haddon Sundblom, wintered in Tucson at the Westward Look Resort.

In 1950, Haddon Sundblom asked Harold “Hap” Arnold if he would model for some of the Coca-Cola ads. In 1953, Haddon Sundblom also used the two daughters of Westward Look’s former owner as models for a Coca-Cola ad. The names of the two girls who modeled for the ad were Lani and Sancy Nason.   

Sources:

Henry, Bonnie. "Artist found Santa in Tucson, opens a new window" The Arizona Daily Star. December 7, 2000.

Westward Look Resort History, opens a new window | from the Wayback Machine Archive


Find the information you need by calling the library's Infoline at 520-791-4010 or by sending your question to Ask a Librarian.