Country Singer Reba McEntire is KFC's First Female Col. Sanders It's a first for the restaurant, who has only featured male actors until this point. Reba McEntire McEntire is the 11th person to play the chain's famous founder, Col. Harlan Sanders. Previous portrayers include actors Ray Liotta, Rob Lowe, George Hamilton and Darrell Hammond. Andrea Zahumensky, KFC Chief Marketing Officer The choice of McEntire comes at a time when sexual harassment is a hot button topic in the entertainment industry.