Billy Mays found DEAD

[KTapper]

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.

Police said there were no signs of forced entry to Mays' residence and foul play is not suspected. Authorities said an autopsy should be complete by Monday afternoon.

"Although Billy lived a public life, we don't anticipate making any public statements over the next couple of days. Our family asks that you respect our privacy during these difficult times," Mays wife, Deborah, said in a statement on Sunday.

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.

After meeting Orange Glo International founder Max Appel at a home show in Pittsburgh in the mid-1990s, Mays was recruited to demonstrate the environmentally friendly line of cleaning products on the St. Petersburg-based Home Shopping Network.

Commercials and informercials followed, anchored by the high-energy Mays showing how it's done while tossing out kitschy phrases like, "Long live your laundry!"

Recently he's been seen on commercials for a wide variety of products and is featured on the reality TV show "Pitchmen" on the Discovery Channel, which follows Mays and Anthony Sullivan in their marketing jobs. He's also been seen in ESPN ads.

His ubiquitousness and thumbs-up, in-your-face pitches won Mays plenty of fans. People line up at his personal appearances for autographed color glossies, and strangers stop him in airports to chat about the products.

"I enjoy what I do," Mays told The Associated Press in a 2002 interview. "I think it shows."

Mays was on board a US Airways flight that blew out its front tires as it landed at a Tampa airport on Saturday, MyFOXTampa.com reported.

US Airways spokesman Jim Olson said that none of the 138 passengers and five crew members were injured in the incident, but several passengers reported having bumps and bruises, according to the station.

Authorities have not said whether Mays' death was related to the incident.

Discovery Channel spokeswoman Elizabeth Hillman released a statement Sunday extending sympathy to the Mays family.

"Everyone that knows him was aware of his larger-than-life personality, generosity and warmth," Hillman's statement said. "Billy was a pioneer in his field and helped many people fulfill their dreams. He will be greatly missed as a loyal and compassionate friend."

[Randy Kaar]

His new show was interesting to watch.
That makes 4 this week..

randy

[sandmannd]

Wow, that's crazy right there. Never thought he would go so soon. I feel for his family, he had a couple of young kids yet.

Goes to show, life can be very short. Make sure you spend time with your loved ones and build memories for a lifetime.

[KTapper]

Yeah I love the show pitchmen. I just was watching it before I heard the news. The show was good because you got to see the other side of Billy seems like a cool guy to have a few beers with.

[sandmannd]

Yep, seemed like a normal guy that loved what he did for a living.

[thunderpout]

I saw him on Leno not too long ago,  he scared the other guest, was it Dana Carvey(?) to death when he did the bit from pitchman where he hits his hand with a hammer wrapped in that "wonder gel" shoe insert material.... funnier than hell... I think Billy was awesome at what he did... BUT those guys always weird me out... its like they hypnotize ya or something.... why is it so hard to flip the channel when theyre on?   But you know what?  I'd NEVER buy anything from those guys that sell stuff that way, but tons of folks do... thats how they can aford to have those half hour blocks of infomercials on the tube... I dont know about you guys, but me and a few buddies pretty much look at those guys as pure entertainment... I know they're on all night when we do the allnighter band practice deal... I'll miss Billy's "enthusiasm"... That Sham-wow guy is in jail now I heard, :scratch:so we'll be gettin stuck with infomercial re-runs for years now!

[KTapper]

That Sham-wow guy is in jail now I heard, :scratch:so we'll be gettin stuck with infomercial re-runs for years now!

I looked it up and he got arrested for felony battery, He beat up a hooker that he claimed while he was kissing her she bit down on his tounge and she would not let go so he started hitting her.