For anyone who grew up in the 1980s, one television advert remains etched in the memory: a young woman walking through a sun-drenched field of sunflowers, indulging in a Cadbury's Flake before riding off in a horse-drawn caravan. The actress who brought that iconic image to life was Janis Levy, a face known to millions, yet a name few could recall. Decades later, her life has taken a path far from the glamour of television commercials.
From Sunflower Fields to Hollywood Glamour
Janis Levy was just 17 years old when she made her debut as the Flake girl in 1985. The advertisement became the longest-running in the brand's history, turning her into one of the most recognisable faces on British television. Chat-show host Des O’Connor once famously introduced her as the "most famous face on TV whose name you don’t know".
The success of the Cadbury campaign launched a prolific advertising career. Levy went on to appear in up to 50 other commercials for major brands including Fairy Liquid, Toblerone, Boots, and Asda. Her fame eventually secured her a contract with American network NBC, prompting a move to Los Angeles.
Her time in LA was filled with the kind of glamour one might expect. She rubbed shoulders with movie stars like Sylvester Stallone and Joan Collins, living a life a world away from the British fields where her career began.
A Radical Career Change Rooted in Family
After more than a decade in the United States, a personal milestone prompted a complete life change. "I had the most wonderful time in LA, but I came home when I had my daughter," Levy explained. She decided to turn her back on her showbusiness career and return to the UK for good.
Her new vocation, however, had its roots in her family's past. Janis took over her father Stanley's business, Hair Development. Stanley, a hairdresser who learned his craft in Paris before establishing his salon in East London, had founded the company. In a poignant full-circle moment, hair had also been the catalyst for Janis's original career.
She was spotted by legendary hairstylist John Frieda when she was 15, after he saw a picture of her in her father's salon. That encounter helped launch her towards television stardom. Now, she and her cousin, Mark Burns, run the company together. Mark serves as Managing Director, while Janis is the Creative Director of the award-winning hair loss solutions, replacement, and extensions firm.
Building a New Legacy in Hair Solutions
Today, Janis Levy's focus is firmly on helping others. Gone are the days of being glammed up for TV; her mission now is to use her expertise to help people feel confident and good about themselves. Hair Development has grown into a highly respected company in its field, a legacy to her father's skill and her own creative direction.
Her journey from a 4-year-old model to a ubiquitous 80s TV presence, and then to a business owner supporting people with hair loss, is a testament to an unexpected and resilient career path. While the image of the Flake girl in the sunflower field remains a cherished piece of British advertising nostalgia, Janis Levy has built a substantial and meaningful second act far from the camera's glare.
