The Untold Story Of Cinna-Mon: 5 Shocking Secrets Of The Apple Jacks Cinnamon Guy

The Apple Jacks Cinnamon Guy is one of the most recognizable and, surprisingly, controversial figures in modern cereal advertising, a character whose history is far more complex than a simple cinnamon stick. As of December 2025, the character—officially named Cinna-Mon, and later just Cinnamon—remains a core part of the brand's identity, constantly battling his nemesis, the Apple mascot, in a quest to explain why the cereal "doesn't taste like apples."

This deep dive reveals the full, updated story of the mascot, including the surprising identity of the Jamaican-born actor who gave him his iconic voice and the significant cultural controversies that have led to multiple rebrands and redesigns over the decades, making the Cinnamon Guy a fascinating case study in cereal history.

The Man Behind the Mon: Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter's Biography

The distinctive, high-energy voice of the modern Cinnamon Guy, Cinna-Mon, belongs to the accomplished Jamaican-born actor, Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter. While his voice work for the Kellogg’s (now Kellanova) mascot is his most widely recognized role by sound, his career spans decades across film, television, and theater.

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• Full Name: Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter
• Born: September 17, 1946
• Age (as of 2025): 79 years old
• Birthplace: Jamaica
• Occupation: Actor, Voice Actor
• Notable Voice Role: Cinna-Mon (Cinnamon) for Apple Jacks cereal
• Key Career Highlights: Anderson-Gunter has appeared in numerous films and television shows, though he is most famous for his voice work for the cereal brand. He has been the voice of the Rasta-accented cinnamon stick since the character's introduction in 2004.

Anderson-Gunter’s unique vocal cadence is integral to the character’s personality, portraying Cinna-Mon as a passionate, often frantic, and sometimes philosophical figure whose main objective is to protect the cinnamon flavor from the "Bad Apple." His role is a key entity in the brand’s modern commercial lore, often in scenes alongside Tim Dadabo, who voices the Apple mascot.

The Controversial Evolution of the Cinnamon Mascot

The history of the "Cinnamon Guy" is not a straight line; it involves a major, culturally sensitive change that completely redefined the character. The current Cinna-Mon is actually the second—and far more enduring—incarnation of the flavor's personification.

The Original, Discontinued "Cinnamon Guy" (1965)

The first attempt at a dual-mascot launch in 1965 featured "Apple Jack" (a cowboy) and a character often referred to as the original "Cinnamon Guy."

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• The Stereotype: This early mascot reflected common, but problematic, advertising practices of the era, portraying a Native American stereotype.
• The Removal: Due to growing cultural sensitivity and public criticism, Kellogg’s removed the character in the early 1970s.
• The Hiatus: For over three decades, the brand relied on other characters like the original "Apple Guy" (1960) and various animated apples, leaving the cinnamon flavor unrepresented by a personified mascot.

The Modern Cinna-Mon (2004–Present)

The brand re-introduced a cinnamon mascot in 2004, a move that was carefully designed to avoid past mistakes while still giving the flavor a distinct personality.

• The Introduction: The character, named Cinna-Mon, debuted alongside his nemesis, Bad Apple (later renamed simply "Apple").
• The Rasta Accent: Cinna-Mon was designed as a cinnamon stick with a distinct, Rasta-influenced Jamaican accent, voiced by Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter. This gave the character an immediate, memorable identity.
• The Lore: The commercials established a continuous conflict, known as "Apple Jacks Adventures" in some print advertising, where the Apple mascot tries to convince kids that the cereal tastes like apples, while Cinna-Mon and his partner, the orange-colored cereal piece, vehemently argue that the flavor is pure cinnamon. Their famous catchphrase, "We want Apple Jacks!" is a staple of the campaign.

Recent Changes and the Cinna-Mon Redesign

Even the modern Cinna-Mon has not been immune to changes. In the last few years, the mascot has undergone subtle but significant visual updates, driven by the brand's continuous effort to modernize and appeal to a contemporary audience.

The 2020 Name Change

In 2020, Kellogg’s (now Kellanova) simplified the character’s name, officially changing it from the pun-based Cinna-Mon to the straightforward Cinnamon. This change was part of a general brand refresh, though the character's core voice and personality remained intact.

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The Removal of Dreadlocks

Around 2022, fans and animation vloggers noticed a major change to Cinna-Mon's appearance on the cereal boxes and in new commercials. The character’s signature dreadlocks, which were a key part of his Rasta-inspired design, were removed or severely minimized.

• The Reason: While Kellanova did not release a formal statement, the change is widely believed to be an attempt to distance the character from potential accusations of cultural appropriation or stereotyping associated with the Rasta movement.
• The Impact: This redesign sparked a wave of online discussion and nostalgia, with many fans lamenting the loss of the iconic hairstyle, but it underscores the brand's sensitivity to modern cultural standards, especially given the controversy of the original 1965 "Cinnamon Guy."

Today, the Cinnamon mascot continues his energetic crusade against the Apple, a testament to the enduring power of cereal mascots to generate discussion, nostalgia, and, occasionally, controversy. From a Native American stereotype to a Rasta-accented cinnamon stick voiced by Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter, the Cinnamon Guy's journey is a fascinating slice of American advertising history.