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Billy Mays Dead: Infomercial King & OxiClean Pitchman Dies at 50
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by Jon Azpiri | June 28, 2009 at 07:58 am
3859 views | 33 Recommendations | 13 comments
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Infomercial king Billy Mays--the TV pitchman with the pitch-black beard and deep booming voice--has died at the age of 50. Mays is best known for his infomercials selling OxiClean, Orange Glow, and Mighty Putty as well as the Discovery TV series Pitchmen.
Mays was found dead by wife Deborah Mays at their Tampa Bay home early Sunday morning. So how did Billy Mays die? Thus far a cause of death has not been determined. On Saturday, Mays was a passenger on a US Airways flight that had a front tire blow out. No injuries were reported after the plane's hard landing.
Mays' death comes at a time when he is at the peak of his fame. His brash style and dark beard made him something of a cult celebrity and internet meme. Just this week, Mays made an appearance on Late Night With Conan O'Brien. During the interview, Mays touched on his so-called feud with that other great infomercial pitchman, the ShamWow Guy aka Vince Offer or Vince Shlomi.
Earlier this month, Mays was in New York to judge a Billy May look-alike contest, featuring people from around the country wearing fake dark beards.
Mays was give the star treatment by New York tourists.
His arrival in midtown set off a flurry of picture-taking and handshakes, with a beaming Mays, in his signature blue OxiClean shirt and khaki pants, making time for all.
"My wife loves you!" shouted John Pearson of Dyer, Ind., snapping a picture with his phone.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (13)
at 09:28 on June 28th, 2009
Now I feel bad for always saying 'gosh this guy's annoying' when his infomercial came on the tv...
at 11:52 on June 28th, 2009
Billy Mays dying is bigger than Wacko Jacko dying. At least Billy Mays had talent.
at 09:04 on June 28th, 2009
This cant be legit
at 09:14 on June 28th, 2009
The LA Times confirms that Billy Mays died at the age of 50.
at 09:41 on June 28th, 2009
Billy's death is sad for his family, but I'd be lying if I said I will miss him - the site of his face always sent me reaching for the mute.
RIP but good riddance.
at 09:43 on June 28th, 2009
ooops - sight of his face
at 13:11 on June 28th, 2009
BNO wrote that Billy Mays confirmed on his Twitter account that the U.S. Airways landing was a hard one.
"Just had a close call landing in Tampa," he wrote in his last Twitter update. There is no word on the possible cause of death.
at 13:41 on June 28th, 2009
It's a sad day for the pitchmen. This picture to me is as timeless as Oxi Clean, and strong as Mighty Putty.
- Kiowani
Kiowani has contributed a photo to this story.
at 14:16 on June 28th, 2009
To M. Harsh Reality:
If when you say "Wacko Jacko" you mean Michael Jackson, then I think that you have serious problems.Michael Jackson had more talent than most people can ever dream of having. Although he may have had some mental issues, they were only shown in his desire to be a child again, since he missed a good childhood. But he NEVER did anything to children; all of those were plots by the parents to take money from lawsuits. He only tried to help.
His only mistake was beleiving in humanity. May he rest in peace.
at 14:48 on June 28th, 2009
Now if only Alanis Morrisette would dies too, the world might be safe for our ears again.
at 00:59 on June 29th, 2009
http://doiop.com/Billy_Mays_dead
has anyone seen this video? it's not funny...
at 19:16 on July 2nd, 2009
I'm surprised nobody killed him.
Now if the Sham Wow wanker, the Progressive Insurance bimbo, that whinning Video Professor "Please buy my product", all lame hard-on medications, and that stupid frggin' gecko could dissapear!
It is insulting to your intelligence people.
Boycott all products with stupid redundant commercials.
at 05:19 on July 8th, 2009
Oh don't feel bad. This asshole dies and everyone is suddenly sympathetic. He was an annoying asshole, plain and simple. He was someone that lowered the bar of humanity. He perverted society by glorifying abusive/false/misleading advertising. He is not to be praised, mourned, or missed. He was a piece of trash.