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Billy Mays
Born: 1958-20-06 - Died: 2009-06-28Cause of Death: Heart Disease
Death Summary: William Darrell “Billy” Mays was found unresponsive by his wife in their Odessa, Florida home on the morning of June 28, 2009. He was pronounced dead at 7:45 am, appearing to have died sometime overnight.
On June 29, 2009 Dr. Vernard Adams of the Hillsborough County medical examiners office performed an autopsy on Billy Mays, and it was found that Mays suffered from hypertensive heart disease. Dr. Adams stated that heart disease was the likely cause of death, but nothing official could be released until the toxicology and tissue tests were complete, according to the LA Times.
Mays was onboard the US Airways flight that had its front tires blow out upon landing at the Tampa airport on Saturday June 27, 2009. It was made public that Billy had hit his head on the overhead storage bin during the rough landing. At the time it was unclear if this played a roll in his death. Out of the 138 passengers and five crewmembers, none were seriously injured.
Who was Billy Mays : Mays was a television direct-response salesperson (a.k.a. pitchman). He was probably most known for his promotion of OxiClean, Orange Glo, Mighty Putty and dozens of other products. His trademark blue shirt, beard and loud sales pitch arguably made him one of the more recognizable people on television.
Mays was learned his craft from the older generation of pitchmen and often said, “I was taught to pitch by a lot of old pitchmen. That's the kind of style I have.” Mays began his sales career on the Atlantic City boardwalk selling the Washmatik portable washing device among other things to vacationers and passerbies. Shortly after that, he found himself on the road for the next twelve years working home shows, auto shows and state fairs all across the United States.
During a Pittsburgh home show in 1993, Mays became quick friends with a rival salesman Max Appel, founder of Orange Glo International. Appel loved Mays pitching ability and promptly hired him to promote their line of cleaners (OxiClean, Orange Clean, Orange Glo and Kaboom) on the Home Shopping Network. You can see a Kaboom commercial below.
After the first day, Orange Glo International saw an increase in sales. With the success came the criticism for his abrasive manners during his infomercials. A Washing Post staff writer had the following to say about Mays, “a full-volume pitchman, amped up like a candidate for a tranquilizer-gun takedown.”
Mays always opened every pitch with the same line, “Hi! Billy Mays here for [advertised product].” It was quite brilliant; it became a pop culture catch phrase, which was often imitated.
With his success, Mays founded his own promotions company, Mays Promotions, Inc. where he also served as the CEO. His services as a pitchman were becoming highly sought after for many diverse products.
On April 15, 2009 the Discovery Channel began airing a television show entitled “Pitchmen”. The show was done documentary style and followed Billy Mays and Anthony Sullivan in their jobs as pitchmen… hence the name. The duo appeared together on the June 23, 2009 episode of The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, just five days before Mays’ death.
On June 29, 2009 Dr. Vernard Adams of the Hillsborough County medical examiners office performed an autopsy on Billy Mays, and it was found that Mays suffered from hypertensive heart disease. Dr. Adams stated that heart disease was the likely cause of death, but nothing official could be released until the toxicology and tissue tests were complete, according to the LA Times.
Mays was onboard the US Airways flight that had its front tires blow out upon landing at the Tampa airport on Saturday June 27, 2009. It was made public that Billy had hit his head on the overhead storage bin during the rough landing. At the time it was unclear if this played a roll in his death. Out of the 138 passengers and five crewmembers, none were seriously injured.
Who was Billy Mays : Mays was a television direct-response salesperson (a.k.a. pitchman). He was probably most known for his promotion of OxiClean, Orange Glo, Mighty Putty and dozens of other products. His trademark blue shirt, beard and loud sales pitch arguably made him one of the more recognizable people on television.
Mays was learned his craft from the older generation of pitchmen and often said, “I was taught to pitch by a lot of old pitchmen. That's the kind of style I have.” Mays began his sales career on the Atlantic City boardwalk selling the Washmatik portable washing device among other things to vacationers and passerbies. Shortly after that, he found himself on the road for the next twelve years working home shows, auto shows and state fairs all across the United States.
During a Pittsburgh home show in 1993, Mays became quick friends with a rival salesman Max Appel, founder of Orange Glo International. Appel loved Mays pitching ability and promptly hired him to promote their line of cleaners (OxiClean, Orange Clean, Orange Glo and Kaboom) on the Home Shopping Network. You can see a Kaboom commercial below.
After the first day, Orange Glo International saw an increase in sales. With the success came the criticism for his abrasive manners during his infomercials. A Washing Post staff writer had the following to say about Mays, “a full-volume pitchman, amped up like a candidate for a tranquilizer-gun takedown.”
Mays always opened every pitch with the same line, “Hi! Billy Mays here for [advertised product].” It was quite brilliant; it became a pop culture catch phrase, which was often imitated.
With his success, Mays founded his own promotions company, Mays Promotions, Inc. where he also served as the CEO. His services as a pitchman were becoming highly sought after for many diverse products.
On April 15, 2009 the Discovery Channel began airing a television show entitled “Pitchmen”. The show was done documentary style and followed Billy Mays and Anthony Sullivan in their jobs as pitchmen… hence the name. The duo appeared together on the June 23, 2009 episode of The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, just five days before Mays’ death.
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RIP.
FOr the time you have been on Earth, you gave people something to look forward to with those commercials that you did. I enjoyed them and you will be sorely missed by us all. My prayers are with your family as you go to heaven. RIP Billy!
i loved his show. I will keep his family and friends in my thoughts RIP Billy
rest in peace! i will miss you! my cloting actually worked with your suppilies! you were a good man!
My 5 year old son loved his commercials and he will be deeply missed by all
WOw!Can not belive this! Farrah,jackson and now you.We will miss you.You where the top pitchman. My sympathy goes out to your family and friends.
Way to young to go & and a loss to the world. Your family will be in my prayers.RIP Billy
Big fan of the show “Pitchmen”
Suprised to hear the news today.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends.
RIP billy when I would have to watch comercials yours were the only ones I enjoyed
You will be missed RIP
Michael Jackson’s death did not shock me. Farrah’s did not either…But this one has absolutely blown my mind! Wasn’t this gentleman just recently participating in a reality TV show?! Nonetheless, my heart goes out to his family. May he find peace and joy in heaven. RIP.
RIP Billy
REST IN PEACE
I’m going to miss you, but why did you yell all of the time?
RIP Billy.
We all will miss you.
BILLY MAYS WAS THE BOMB LIKE KABOOM OMG I JUST MADE THAT UP BUT R.I.P BILLY
we will miss you billy you where awsome
What an untimely death. Very shocking. He touch soo many lives. RIP.
Billy, you made me want every product you were selling. I’m so sorry I didn’t have the extra money to call in and order 1 of everything. I’m so sorry. Forgive me.
He will be deeply missed by all.Our heart goes out to his family.
WOW you left too soon
You will be missed.
Death was probably the only thing that would ever shut him up!
nobody will ever replace the greatest pitchman ever.he was unique,loud,affective and a very carring person.god bless you billy ,you will be missed but never foregotten.
greatest pitchman ever..but more importantly,a person people could look up to and trust.god bless you billy.you will be missed but never foregotten.
God Bless you !!!!!!!!!!!! May you rest inn peace. Thank you , it was GREAT FUN !!. you will be missed ! god bless your family.
R.I.P. Billy, you will be deeply missed not just by your family and friends, but by your fans like myself, I loved your show Pitchmen and watched every episode. May God hold you in the palm of His hand, and give you sweet serenity as your soul transcends to Heaven. My prayers and thoughts go out to the Mays family, as well as Anthony “Sully” Sullivan. R.I.P. BILLY!!
could he really talk without screaming hmmm
thank god hes finally dead. i hated him so much…fat prick
I will always remember Billy’s show, he was the best salesman on TV!! Rest in Peace Billy Mays!!
That is not right to write insults in someones remembrance book!! How would you feel if someone did that to you when you died!!
That was to you “SHAMWOW”, why would you use that name if you “hated” him so much!! Give the man a little respect!!
I Could’nt agree more with Heather, this is not an insult book!! You will be missed Billy!! RIP!!
You are & always will be the “Ulitimate Pitchman”. There is no one else like you that just by sitting & watching you pitch the product, you can make people buy anything. May God Keep your family safe in his arms & May you pitch to the Angels now.
im so sorry
We enjoyed and loved-ya kid you will be missed, God bless you
So sorry to hear about the death of Billy Mays.
I loved his commercials.
Pitchmen was awesome
Rest in peace
We will never forget the famous line “Hey! Billy Mays here!” you where a true inspire r.
go on billy you can sell it to god because he will love you
You know what really sucks? HE’S STILL ON TV!!!!???
I mean WTF! Die already you screaming dillhole!
fuck you dave your a faggot
I indeed looked forward to seeing and hearing your pitches.Keep giving those pitches where you are,Billy.You’re the best
i love ur shows billy RIP
*sniff* he was brilliant, he’s probably selling coffins in heavem
there will never be another Billy Mays , americanna,icon that was truly #1 at his job, miss ya bro RIP
REST IN PEACE
i’ll miss him
he should take over my body
rest in peace
I love you , Billy ! You were awesome ! (: