LI mailman stars in pre-Super Bowl ad

This Sunday, postal carrier Lorenzo Hudson will make a delivery -- right before the Super Bowl.

The Uniondale resident, a part-time actor, practically plays himself as the star of a U.S. Postal Service commercial that will air during the pregame show.

In his audition, he had to say "nice sweater" to a guy in a funny sweater, then smile and turn away with a look that says, "This is awkward" -- much like the real-life moments in which Hudson keeps his cool with dogs nipping at his pants and partially dressed people at the door.

"I just felt like this was a role that was meant for me," Hudson, 40, a divorced father of three boys, said Friday. "Even in the commercial, I was just doing my job. I smile on my route. Smiling from different angles, looking in the camera and smiling, that was a little different, but for the most part, I was having fun out there."

In the 30-second ad, Hudson picks up packages from home-based businesses and touts the advantages of using the Postal Service.

After 19 years on the job -- 12 on the same Great Neck route -- Hudson knows his government employer is fiscally challenged. "We struggle, and I feel that positive advertising could help the business," he said.

Hudson loves his job, which he says helps provide a sense of normalcy during tough times, such as the aftermath of 9/11 and superstorm Sandy. But at his age, he said, braving the weather and carrying loads of mail will start taking a toll.

He hopes the ad will raise his acting profile. "I love acting, and I can get used to being the center of attention," he said.