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King of Pitchmen Billy Mays Died Today at Age 50

Entrepreneur extraordinaire, Billy Mays, was found dead the morning of June 28, 2009 in his Tampa, FL home by his wife. Paramedics were unable to revive Mays, who died of unknown causes (at this time), was pronounced dead at 7:45 a.m.

The police have only preliminarily reported there is no suspicion of foul play, and his wife has stated Mr. Mays complained of not feeling well the previous evening.

Brief Biography of Billy Mays

Bill Mays was an entrepreneurial icon. Anyone who claims direct marketing is an advertising dinosaur need only look at the phenomenal success of pitchman legend Billy Mays. Born to sell, Mays began selling portable washing devices (Washmatik) on the Atlantic City, NJ boardwalk just after he graduated from high school. It was here, Mays began developing his signature pitch style.

In 1993 he was hired by Orange Glo International (OGI) to become their pitchman for for a line of cleaners: OxiClean, Orange Clean, Orange Glo, and Kaboom. He was an instant celebrity on the Home Shopping Network and helped OGI earn a spot in the top ten on Inc.'s fastest-growing, privately-held companies from 1999 to 2001.

He was the CEO and founder of Mays Promotions, Inc. and recently starred in the reality series, "Pitchmen," pitting direct marketing skills against rival Anthony Sullivan.

His famous and enthusiastic greeting, "Hi! Billy Mays here.." announcing himself as if we all should know who he was without any further explanation, left an endearing, tangible infomercial impression in our hearts and memories.

Rest in peace Billy Mays.

Comments
June 28, 2009 at 7:37 pm
(1) Jon Anderson :

In a world where we have so few people to model ourselves after, Billy Mays was an entrepreneur who created something out of nothing. This is the essence of the American spirit that we can all learn from. Thank you for being a role model who showed the rest of us what could be done.

June 29, 2009 at 3:54 am
(2) womeninbusiness :

Nicely said. He was an amazing man, truly gifted in the art of marketing and entrepreneurship.

June 29, 2009 at 3:26 pm
(3) Timelord :

I have never purchase anythhing Mr. Mays pitched so why do I feel so sad that he is gone? With all who ha passed away the pass few weeks his is the only one that hit me. Maybe it is because we are the same age and his was not expected? He is in God’s hands now. My prayers are with his family.

July 15, 2009 at 12:47 am
(4) jmeubanks :

He was loud and annoying. The perfect pitchman.

August 21, 2009 at 8:23 pm
(5) Alexander Dombroff :

I still miss Billy Mays! I saw an infomercial last night for Sham Wow! and reminded me how sad it is.

August 21, 2009 at 8:42 pm
(6) Alexander Dombroff :

I saw an infomercial last night for Oxi Clean! and reminded me how much I miss him!

August 21, 2009 at 8:44 pm
(7) Alexander Dombroff :

Mike Tyson is such a jerk! Did you see him on Oprah last month, it was totally ridiculous

January 5, 2010 at 4:46 am
(8) bertildabe :

points others president shelf

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