William "Billy" D. Mays, Jr. July 20, 1958 – June 28, 2009
Billy Mays, the burly, bearded television pitchman known for his boisterous hawking of products such as Orange Glo and OxiClean, has died. He was 50. Tampa police said Mays was found unresponsive by his wife Sunday morning. A fire rescue crew pronounced him dead at 7:45 a.m. There were no signs of a break-in, and investigators do not suspect foul play, said Lt. Brian Dugan of the Tampa Police Department, who wouldn't answer any more questions about how Mays' body was found because of the ongoing investigation.
The coroner's office expects to have an autopsy done by Monday afternoon. "Although Billy lived a public life, we don't anticipate making any public statements over the next couple of days," said Mays' wife, Deborah. "Our family asks that you respect our privacy during these difficult times."
Mays was born in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Sto-Rox High School in 1977, he began his career as a salesman on the Atlantic City boardwalk, selling the Washmatik portable washing device to passersby. Working alongside other pitchmen, he developed his style of salesmanship.
At a Pittsburgh home show in 1993, Mays struck up a friendship with rival salesman Max Appel, founder of Orange Glo International, a Denver-based manufacturer of cleaning products. He was then hired by the company to promote their line of cleaners, OxiClean, Orange Clean, Orange Glo, and Kaboom on the Home Shopping Network in St. Petersburg, Florida
Mays was the CEO and founder of Mays Promotions, Inc., based at his home in Odessa, Florida.His services as a pitchman became highly sought-after, and he has appeared in commercials for many diverse "as seen on TV" products. Mays claimed to be an avid user of the products he promotes.
In February 2009, Mays publicly challenged Offer "Vince" Shlomi, also known as "Vince Offer" to a "pitch-off" between their respective products, the Zorbeez and the Shamwow. Popular Mechanics compared the absorbancy of two towel products and declared Shamwow the clear winner.
On April 15, 2009, the Discovery Channel began airing Pitchmen, a documentary series that features Mays and Anthony Sullivan in their jobs in direct response marketing.On the June 10, 2009 episode it was revealed that Mays' trademark blue shirt was the idea of fellow pitchman Sullivan before the OxiClean commercial shoot in 1999.
You Tube Videos of Mays
Billy was a pioneer in his field and helped many people fulfill their dreams. He will be greatly missed
Comments (4)
gee, that IS sad =/ i had not heard the details of how he had died. =/
This is so sad. He was so young yet.
wow... I had no idea!!!
I hope this doesn't come across as heartless as i'm scared it will. But, i can't believe the amount of deaths taking place right now. Is kinda eerie.