Infomercial King Billy Mays Dies
By Wyatt Earp | June 28, 2009
It’s been a sad week for the entertainment industry. Mays was only 50 years old. And yes, Captain America scooped me on this one.
Television pitchman Billy Mays — who built his fame by appearing on commercials and infomercials promoting household products and gadgets — died Sunday.
Mays, 50, was found unresponsive by his wife inside his Tampa, Fla., home at 7:45 a.m. on Sunday, according to the Tampa Police Department.
Mays was well known for his numerous television promotions of such products as Orange Glo and OxiClean. He was also featured on the reality TV show “Pitchmen” on the Discovery Channel, which followed Mays and Anthony Sullivan in their marketing jobs.
Born William Mays in McKees Rocks, Pa., on July 20, 1958, Mays developed his style demonstrating knives, mops and other “as seen on TV” gadgets on Atlantic City’s boardwalk. For years he worked as a hired gun on the state fair and home show circuits, attracting crowds with his booming voice and genial manner. (H/T – FOXNews)
I know a lot of people probably didn’t like Mays, but the Earp clan was not among them. I thought Mays was a laugh riot, and as annoying as his commercials could be sometimes, he was always entertaining.
Kyle and Erik still walk around the house occasionally screaming, “Hi! I’m Billy Mays!!”
Godspeed, Billy.
Topics: Uncategorized | 11 Comments »
June 28th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
My son told me shortly after the news broke. I was like dayemmmmmm what is going on.
June 28th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
It has been a weird week, for sure. What a shame for his family.
June 28th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Wyatt, maybe you should investigate where the “Sham-Wow!” guy was on Saturday night.
Rest in peace Billy, and thanks for making me an OxyClean convert.
June 29th, 2009 at 1:14 am
E.L. – Everyone’s going out, Unreal.
RT – Agreed. He seemed like a decent guy.
Mrs. Crankipants – Some news station once tested Mays’ major products to see if they actually worked. To an item, they all did.
June 29th, 2009 at 8:18 am
Yes,he was always more entertaining than annoying.A local Tampa station did a story on him not long ago,and he came across as just a guy who had found his niche,was real personable and not too full of himself,I’ll miss seeing him pop up every few minutes on TV.
June 29th, 2009 at 9:27 am
At least it stopped the wall to wall cry fest over Jacko.
MUD
June 29th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Yeah we’re screwed now. There’s no one to stop Vince the “Shamwow” guy.
June 29th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Vince did it. He threw the luggage on Billy’s head in the plane.
June 29th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Billy was a professional and he will be missed. That “Slap Chop” guy and his you’re gonna love my nuts line is too funny to take the product seriously.
June 29th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
That means no more Pitchmen. It’s a great show. Funny as hell.
June 29th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Diller – That was my take. Probably a really down-to-earth guy.
MUD – Gotta be honest: I am so sick of hearing about him anymore. Just end it!
Captain – Vince will destroy us all!
Doghouse – That bastard!!!
MeToo – I can’t get past his ear mic. Guy annoys me.
Prof – I hadn’t seen it, but guys in work say it’s a great show.