TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Billy Mays, the burly, bearded television pitchman whose boisterous hawking of products such as Orange Glo and OxiClean made him a pop-culture icon, 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.
Mays’ wife, Deborah Mays, told investigators that her husband had complained he didn’t feel well before he went to bed some time after 10 p.m. Saturday night, Tampa police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said.
“Although Billy lived a public life, we don’t anticipate making any public statements over the next couple of days,” Deborah Mays said in a statement Sunday. “Our family asks that you respect our privacy during these difficult times.” LINK
Since work had me strung out this week, I did virtually nothing on the rash of celebrity deaths. Well, it looks like I’m out front on this one. DRUDGE REPORT is reporting that TV pitchman Billy Mays has died. Like him or not, Billy Mays was great at what he did – pitch everyday products to millions of Americans. Thanks to him, I have dozens of empty OxyClean bins in my shed with all kinds of assorted nuts, bolts and nails in them. I’d be lost without them. It looks like we are stuck with Vince the ShamWow Guy now. In all seriousness, 50 years old is too young for anyone to leave this Earth and I’m sure his family is devastated.
My condolences go out to them.
June 28, 2009 at 3:10 pm |
Tell me you’re watching the soccer game. USA 2, Brazil 0 in the 1st. It’s on ESPN2.
June 28, 2009 at 3:20 pm |
Oh, and Billy Mays rocked.
June 28, 2009 at 4:01 pm |
[...] been a sad week for the entertainment industry. Mays was only 50 years old. And yes, Captain America scooped me on this one. Television pitchman Billy Mays — who built his fame by appearing on commercials and infomercials [...]
June 28, 2009 at 6:30 pm |
Sadly the US lost. The Brazilian coach probably told his team at half time that if they lost they would be stripped of their citizenship.
June 28, 2009 at 7:21 pm |
USA couldn’t keep it together dammit… Re Mays, he was the last of the old time pitchmen, obnoxious as hell, but good at what he did. Sad that he died this young, but I’m glad I won’t have to turn down commercials anymore.
June 28, 2009 at 8:55 pm |
Billy was on the plane that landed in Tampa last night from Philly the planes landing gear co lapsed!
On landing he was interviewed by local TV said that a overhead compartment hit him on the head but that he had a hard head! Can anyone say brain injury and law suite!!!
It is sad all the hype for the molester and little for the normal ones! G