The Little Lad's Secret: 5 Shocking Facts About The Berries And Cream Guy, Jack Ferver

The "Berries and Cream Guy," officially known as the "Little Lad," is one of the internet's most enduring and bizarre phenomena, a character whose high-pitched song and distinctive dance have spanned two decades of viral fame. As of December 12, 2025, the man behind the iconic Starburst commercial, Jack Ferver, continues to navigate a fascinating dual life, balancing his unexpected meme celebrity with a highly respected career in the arts and academia.

This deep dive reveals the surprising truth about the Little Lad: from the commercial's original 2007 debut to its massive TikTok resurgence, and the serious artistic work of the New York-based choreographer, director, and professor who created the character. The story of the "Little Lad" is a perfect example of how fleeting commercial work can turn into a permanent piece of internet culture, forever linked to the phrase, "I'm a little lad who loves berries and cream."

The Artist Behind The Meme: Jack Ferver's Complete Biography and Profile

The man who delivered the unforgettable phrase, "Berries and cream, berries and cream, I'm a little lad who loves berries and cream!" is Jack Ferver. They are a multi-talented American artist, writer, choreographer, and educator whose career is far more complex and acclaimed than a single commercial might suggest. Ferver identifies as a non-binary artist and uses they/them pronouns.

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• Full Name: Jack Ferver
• Born: 1979
• Nationality: American
• Primary Professions: Writer, Choreographer, Director, Performer, and Professor
• Academic Post: Assistant Professor of Theater and Performance at Bard College
• Notable Artistic Focus: Dance-theatre shows that explore themes of trauma, anxiety, and the psychological effects of popular culture, often utilizing dark humor.
• Commercial Role: The "Little Lad" in the 2007 Starburst "Berries and Crème" commercial.
• Viral Resurgence: The Little Lad character and song became a massive global TikTok trend starting in 2021.
• Current Status (2024-2025): Active in academia and the arts, with recent public appearances and ongoing teaching commitments.

Ferver’s artistic work has been presented at prestigious venues across the United States, including New York Live Arts, the New Museum, The Watermill Center, and MASS MoCA, cementing their status as a significant figure in the New York performance art scene.

The Unlikely Origin of The Little Lad and The 2021 TikTok Resurgence

The "Little Lad" character was born in 2007 as part of a surreal marketing campaign for the new Starburst "Berries and Crème" flavor. The commercial featured Ferver, dressed in what appears to be an anachronistic costume—a bowl cut, knee-high socks, and a velvet suit—performing a strange, exaggerated dance. The commercial was designed to be memorable, but its initial run was not the cultural explosion it would later become.

The commercial originally gained a cult following on early internet platforms like YouTube, where it was often categorized as a "cursed commercial" or an example of bizarre marketing. The Little Lad's distinct, high-pitched voice and the phrase "I'm a little lad who loves berries and cream" became a niche internet reference.

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The TikTok Meme Explosion

The true global phenomenon began in January 2021. A TikTok creator named McElroy uploaded a clip of the Little Lad's instructional dance video with the simple caption: "Please make great art with this." The sound clip and the accompanying "Little Lad Dance" went stratospheric, sparking one of the biggest meme trends of the year.

• The Core Trend: Users would lip-sync, remix, or perform their own version of the Little Lad Dance, often with comedic or surreal twists.
• The Audio: The unique, rhythmic chant became a ubiquitous sound on the platform, used in millions of videos.
• Starburst's Response: The candy company, recognizing the organic marketing gold, embraced the trend. They even released a limited-edition "Berries and Crème" Halloween costume based on the Little Lad's outfit and collaborated with Ferver on new content.

This TikTok resurgence introduced the Little Lad to an entirely new generation, solidifying the 2007 commercial as a timeless piece of viral content. Ferver themselves even created a TikTok account in character, further engaging with the phenomenon, despite their primary career being in the serious art world.

Jack Ferver: The Choreographer, Professor, and Serious Performance Artist

Perhaps the most compelling fact about the "Berries and Cream Guy" is the stark contrast between the meme and Jack Ferver's professional life. Far from being a one-hit-wonder actor, Ferver is a celebrated figure in the world of contemporary dance and performance art.

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Ferver is an Assistant Professor of Theater and Performance at Bard College, a highly respected liberal arts institution. They also hold teaching experience at other prestigious schools, including NYU Tisch and SUNY Purchase. Their academic work deeply informs their artistic practice, which often focuses on the intersection of trauma, pop culture, and emotional rawness.

Key Artistic Works and Themes

Ferver's work is typically characterized as "dance-theatre," a genre that blends movement, text, and theatrical elements. Their performances are often described as wildly tragicomic, using dark humor to engage audiences on difficult psychological topics.

• Major Themes: Their pieces frequently examine the psychological toll of modern life, the nature of performance, and personal trauma.
• Notable Productions: Works like Is Global Warming Camp? and Chambre (which was inspired by Jean Genet's play Les Bonnes) have been critically acclaimed for their unique blend of satire and vulnerability.
• Recent Activity (2024): In February 2024, Ferver participated in the "Nowhere Apparent: Arts, Activism, and Policymaking" event at Harvard University, highlighting their continued engagement with socially relevant artistic and academic discussions.

This commitment to high-level choreography and artistic direction stands in fascinating opposition to the Little Lad's simple, joyful dance. The meme provides a constant, playful footnote to a career dedicated to complex, challenging performance art.

The Little Lad's Legacy: Navigating Meme Fame and Artistic Integrity

The ongoing fame of the Little Lad presents a unique challenge for Jack Ferver. For many, the high-pitched song is the only thing they know about the artist. However, Ferver has managed to leverage the meme's popularity while maintaining their artistic integrity.

They have used the Little Lad persona on platforms like Cameo, offering personalized messages in character, which serves as a playful acknowledgment of the meme's power. This participation is a shrewd way to control the narrative and capitalize on the unexpected celebrity, all while continuing to create and teach serious work. There are even rumors—though unconfirmed—that Ferver will deduct a half letter grade from any student who asks about the commercial in class, a humorous nod to their desire to keep their academic and meme lives separate.

The "Berries and Cream Guy," Jack Ferver, is a powerful example of the internet’s ability to resurrect and redefine careers. The Little Lad is a permanent fixture in meme history, but Ferver’s true legacy lies in their profound contributions to contemporary dance and the performing arts, a career that continues to evolve and challenge audiences well into 2025.