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William Darrell Mays Jr. (July 20, 1958 – June 28, 2009)[2][3] was an American television direct-response advertisement salesperson. Throughout his career, he promoted a wide variety of products, including OxiClean, Orange Glo, Kaboom, Zorbeez, and Mighty Mendit. His promotions aired mainly on the Home Shopping Network through his company, Mays Promotions, Inc., although they have aired on other syndicated networks. Mays's infomercials were known for his catch phrase "Hi, Billy Mays here", and his shouted delivery of lines.

Key Information

Mays and his business partner, Anthony Sullivan, were also featured on PitchMen, a Discovery Channel television series that documented their work. His distinctive beard, attire, loud voice, and impassioned sales pitches made him a recognized television presence in the United States and Canada.[4][5]

Early life

[edit]

Mays was born on July 20, 1958, in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania to Joyce Palm[6] and Billy Mays Sr, where he was raised in nearby Pittsburgh.[2][7] He was a student at Sto-Rox High School,[2][7] and later West Virginia University, where he was a walk-on linebacker on its football team during his two years there.[8]

Career

[edit]

Early work

[edit]

After dropping out of college, Mays worked for his father's hazardous waste company before moving to Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1983.[2] On the Atlantic City boardwalk, Mays sold the Washmatik portable washing device to passersby,[9] along with other "As Seen on TV" products.[2] In Atlantic City, he said, "I was taught to pitch by a lot of old pitchmen. That's the kind of style I have."[2]

Mays then traveled to home shows, auto shows, and state fairs across the United States for a period of twelve years, selling various maintenance products and tools, including cleaning products and food choppers.[9]

Television pitching

[edit]

At a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania home show in 1993, Mays struck up a friendship with rival salesman Max Appel, founder of Orange Glo International, a Denver-based manufacturer of cleaning products. He was then hired by the company to promote their line of cleaners, OxiClean, Orange Clean, Orange Glo, and Kaboom, on the Home Shopping Network in St. Petersburg, Florida.[10] That same year he also befriended another future pitchman, Anthony Sullivan. Customer response to Mays's sales pitches was enthusiastic, and sales sharply increased after his first day, although some reviews were poor. He was very well known for shouting during infomercials. For example, The Washington Post staff writer Frank Ahrens called him and other similar television salesmen "a full-volume pitchman, amped up like a candidate for a tranquilizer-gun takedown".[11]

In October 2000, Mays shot an infomercial for the then-three-year-old OxiClean corporation. He became a staple of the brand and the wider company, Orange Glo. Later on he appeared in Kaboom infomercials.

Mays was the CEO and founder of Mays Promotions, Inc., based at his home in Odessa, Florida.[4] His services as a pitchman became highly sought-after, and he appeared in commercials for many diverse "As Seen On TV" products such as Mighty Putty. Mays claimed to be an avid user of the products he promoted.[12]

In December 2008, Mays began appearing in ads for ESPN's online service, ESPN360.[13] These ads were a slight departure for Mays as they were designed to be parodies of his and other infomercial clichés. He also made a live appearance during the 2008 Champs Sports Bowl promoting ESPN's and ABC's January 1, 2009, bowl games. Prior to his death, Mays had signed a deal with Taco Bell to film infomercial-style commercials for the chain. Shooting was scheduled to begin in August 2009.[14]

On March 26, 2009, Mays appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.[15][16]

On April 15, 2009, the Discovery Channel began airing PitchMen, a documentary series that featured Mays and Anthony Sullivan in their jobs in direct-response marketing.[17] After Mays's death, Discovery Channel aired a special Billy Mays tribute special, Pitchman: A Tribute to Billy Mays.[18]

He and Sullivan also appeared on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien on June 23, 2009,[19][20] five days before his death.

Personal life

[edit]

Mays's first marriage was to Dolores "Dee Dee" Mays, which ended in divorce.[21] He had a son with Dolores named Billy Mays III (born August 12, 1986) who worked as a production assistant alongside his father on the PitchMen television show.[6] Mays had a daughter, Elizabeth, with his second wife, Deborah Mays. His daughter was three years old at the time of his death.[21][22]

In an interview during the 2008 presidential election, Mays said he was a Republican.[23] He was also a Catholic.[24]

Death

[edit]
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Mays was found unresponsive by his wife in his Tampa, Florida, home on the morning of June 28, 2009.[25] He was pronounced dead at 7:45 a.m., aged 50, appearing to have died sometime overnight.[3][26] The Associated Press reported there were no indications that the house had been burglarized, and that police did not suspect foul play.[26] Mays had told his wife the previous evening that he had felt unwell, and initially, there was incorrect speculation that he died from a head injury he experienced on a flight he had taken earlier in the day, in which the plane sustained a rough landing after blowing its tires.[27]

After an initial autopsy on June 29, 2009, Vernard Adams, the Hillsborough County, Florida medical examiner, stated that Mays suffered from hypertensive heart disease and that heart disease was the likely cause of his death. According to a toxicology report released August 7, 2009, heart disease was the "primary cause of death" and cocaine was listed as a "contributory cause of death."[28][29] In response to the release of the toxicology report, the Mays family issued a press release stating, "We are extremely disappointed by the press release released by the Hillsborough County medical examiner's office. We believe it contains speculative conclusions that are frankly unnecessary and tend to obscure the conclusion that Billy suffered from chronic, untreated hypertension" and said in the release that they were considering "an independent evaluation of the autopsy results".[30]

The medical examiner concluded that "cocaine use caused or contributed to the development of his heart disease, and thereby contributed to his death," the office said in a press release. The office said Mays last used cocaine in the few days before his death but was not under the influence of the drug when he died. Hillsborough County spokeswoman Lori Hudson said that nothing in the toxicology report indicated the frequency of Mays' cocaine use. Cocaine can raise the arterial blood pressure, directly cause hypertrophy of the left ventricle, and accelerate the formation of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries, the release said. However, in October 2009, the results of a second medical examination, commissioned by Mays' family, concluded that cocaine was not a "significant contributing factor" to his death.[31]

According to subsequent news reports,[32] the toxicology tests also showed levels of painkillers hydrocodone, oxycodone, and tramadol, as well as anti-anxiety drugs alprazolam and diazepam. Mays suffered from hip problems and was scheduled to have had hip replacement surgery on June 29, a day after he was found dead.

Mays' funeral was held on July 3, 2009, in his hometown of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. The pallbearers wore blue shirts and khaki pants at the funeral, much like Mays wore when he advertised his products.[33] He is buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery.[34]

In the immediate aftermath of his death, many companies pulled ads featuring Mays from the air.[35] By mid-July, with his family's consent, some ads were put back into rotation,[36] alongside newer ones that Mays had filmed prior to his death.[36][35]

[edit]

His catchphrase and infomercials made Billy Mays a notable icon in popular culture, with many shows, YouTube videos, and films lampooning him. In the South Park episode "Dead Celebrities", Mays's ghost appears repeatedly to Ike Broflovski, trying to sell him products from the afterlife with his catchphrase "Hi, Billy Mays here with the...". Mays's son, Billy III, a self-proclaimed South Park fan, said he loved "Dead Celebrities", and found its portrayal of his father to be both tasteful and respectful.[37]

He was portrayed by comedian Colin J. Sweeney in the season 1 episode of Epic Rap Battles of History, "Billy Mays vs. Ben Franklin". In the middle of the battle, Mays dies and has his second verse covered by a fellow infomercial pitchman, Vince Offer, portrayed by ERB co-creator Nice Peter.[38]

Products pitched

[edit]
Product Description
Awesome Auger[39] A gardening tool
Big City Slider Station[2][39] A mini-burger cooker
Crocodile Cutter[40] A cutter for metal and other materials
DC Snowboards Snowboards
The Ding King[41] A dent repairing device
DualSaw[42] A circular saw with two blades
Engrave-it An engraving tool for metal surfaces
ESPN360[7] A broadband service
EZ Bundler A strapping tool that bundles objects together
EZ Crunch Bowl[42] A breakfast cereal bowl that separates cereal from milk, preserving the cereal's crunchiness
Flies Away[43] A fly trap
Gator Blades Precision heavy duty windshield wiper blades
Gopher[44] A tool for grabbing out-of-reach objects
Grabit A screw removal tool
Grater Plater[43] A ceramic plate with grater teeth
Green Now![42] Lawn fertilizer in a can
Grip Wrench[2] A strap wrench
Handy Switch[39] A wireless electric switch
Hercules Hook[39] A hook for hanging objects on a wall
iCan health insurance[39][41] A health insurance benefit group
Impact Gel A shoe insert
iTie[44] A necktie with a hidden pocket
Jupiter Jack A cell phone speaker system for the car
Kaboom![2] Tile and shower cleaner
Magic Carry A harness system that allows the user to pick up two or three times what they can lift normally
Mighty Mendit[41] A bonding agent for mending cloth
Mighty Putty[39][45] An epoxy putty adhesive
Mighty Putty Steel[45] A metal alloy adhesive putty
Mighty Putty Wood[45] A non-shrinking epoxy putty for wood
Mighty Shine A soft powder that removes rust and tarnish from metal objects
Mighty Tape[45] A self-fusing silicone rubber waterproof tape
Orange Glo[2] A wood cleaner
OxiClean[39][41] A general purpose cleaner
Pest Patrol [46] A pest repellent which relied on ultrasonic frequencies.
Quick Chop[43] A chopping device
Quik Strip[47] A wire stripper
Safety Beep[48] A stick-on alert device for vehicles moving in reverse
Samurai Shark[39] A knife sharpener
Simoniz Fix-It[39] A scratch remover
Simoniz Liquid Diamond[49] Car polish
Six Shooter[49] A cordless power drill able to hold up to six different bits
Steam Buddy A lightweight steam iron
Tool Band-it [43] A magnetic armband for holding hand tools
Turbo Tiger[2] A vacuum cleaner
Ultimate Chopper[39] A kitchen tool
Vidalia Slice Wizard[41] A kitchen tool
WashMatik[2][39] A hose that pumps water from a bucket without being hooked up to a faucet
What Odor?[43] An odor-removing fluid
Zorbeez[39] A chamois cloth

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Billy Mays

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William Darrell Mays Jr. (July 20, 1958 – June 28, 2009), commonly known as Billy Mays, was an American television direct-response advertisement salesperson renowned for his boisterous and enthusiastic style in promoting products such as , Orange Glo, and Kaboom. Born in , near , Mays began his sales career in his early 20s on the Atlantic City boardwalk, where he honed his pitching skills selling items like knives before transitioning to television infomercials in the mid-1990s. Mays first gained widespread recognition in 2000 through his high-energy commercials for , a cleaning product that became a household name largely due to his signature catchphrase, "Hi, Billy Mays here!" and dramatic demonstrations of the product's effectiveness. Over the course of his career, he endorsed a variety of innovative household items, including Mighty Putty (an adhesive), (a stain absorber), and the Samurai Shark knife sharpener, reportedly generating over $1 billion in sales alongside fellow pitchman Anthony Sullivan. His over-the-top delivery and bearded, everyman persona made him a pop culture icon, leading to appearances on networks like the Home Shopping Network and a starring role in the docudrama Pitchmen, which premiered in April 2009 and showcased the behind-the-scenes world of infomercial production. On a personal level, Mays was married twice—first to Dolores "Dee Dee" Mays and later to Deborah Mays, with whom he had a young daughter, Elizabeth—and he was also father to a son, Billy Mays III, from his first marriage. He resided in , at the time of his death, where he was found unresponsive by his wife on the morning of June 28, 2009; he was pronounced dead at 7:45 a.m. from , with an autopsy later revealing that use had contributed to the condition, though his family disputed the significance of the drug factor. Mays' sudden passing at age 50 sparked an outpouring of tributes, and sales of his promoted products reportedly surged by 20-30% in the aftermath, underscoring his enduring influence on direct-response advertising. His son Billy Mays III has since maintained his father's legacy through the website BillyMays.org.

Early life

Childhood and family background

Billy Mays was born William Darrell Mays Jr. on July 20, 1958, in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, to William Darrell Mays Sr. and Joyce Palm. He grew up in the working-class neighborhood of McKees Rocks, a community with deep roots in industrial labor and steel production near Pittsburgh, where his family instilled a strong sense of perseverance. Mays' father owned and operated a hazardous waste management company, providing a stable but demanding family environment shaped by blue-collar values. Mays was the eldest of three brothers, including Randy Mays, a who preceded him in death in 2018, and Gary Mays; the siblings shared a close-knit upbringing that emphasized hard work and family support. His mother, Joyce, remained actively involved in the until her passing in 2021. This early family dynamic fostered Mays' emerging interest in and salesmanship, traits that would propel his later career.

Education and early interests

Mays attended in , where he actively participated in football. He graduated in 1976. Following high school, Mays enrolled at , where he served as a walk-on linebacker on the football team during his time there. He studied for approximately two years before dropping out to pursue other opportunities.

Career

Early sales work

Billy Mays began his professional sales career shortly after graduating from Sto-Rox High School in , in 1977, initially working for his father's hazardous-waste trucking company. In 1983, he relocated to , where he immersed himself in the vibrant boardwalk sales scene, a hub for direct-response pitching at the time. There, Mays honed his high-energy demonstration style over the next several years, selling items such as the WashMatik—a portable car-cleaning that drew water from a bucket—and knives, earning him the nickname "Bucket Billy" for his enthusiastic performances that captivated passersby. By the late 1980s, Mays expanded his operations beyond the boardwalk to home shows, state fairs, and auto shows across the , traveling extensively for about a decade to demonstrate a range of household maintenance products. His reputation grew through relentless, booming pitches that built crowds and drove sales, often for companies like International Housewares and later Orange Glo International. At these events, Mays' —rooted in his early experiences and outgoing —allowed him to outsell competitors by transforming routine product demos into compelling spectacles. Over approximately 20 years in these live sales environments, from the late 1970s through the late 1990s, he established himself as a master pitchman known for his tireless energy and persuasive flair. A pivotal moment came in 1993 at a home and garden show, where Mays caught the attention of Max Appel, founder of Orange Glo International. Appel, impressed by Mays' crowd-drawing abilities, recruited him to pitch Orange Glo products on the Home Shopping Network starting in 1996, marking Mays' transition toward broadcast opportunities; in his debut appearance, Mays sold 6,000 bottles in just 11 minutes.

Television pitching and fame

Billy Mays transitioned to television advertising in the late 1990s, marking his debut in infomercials for Orange Glo International after gaining recognition as a pitchman at home shows. His energetic on-air performance for Orange Glo, where he sold 6,000 bottles in just 11 minutes on the Home Shopping Network, quickly established him in direct-response television. This breakthrough led to his prominent role in promoting OxiClean starting in October 2000, when he starred in a two-minute infomercial that propelled the product—and Mays himself—to national prominence. Mays' pitching style was characterized by a booming voice, unrelenting enthusiasm, and hands-on demonstrations that highlighted product efficacy, such as staining fabrics on air and then cleaning them dramatically to showcase results. He frequently employed catchphrases like "But wait, there's more!" to build excitement and urgency, drawing from techniques honed in live sales environments to engage viewers directly. Over the course of his career, Mays appeared in numerous infomercials, collaborating closely with fellow pitchman Anthony Sullivan, whose partnership amplified their reach in the industry. By the mid-2000s, Mays had achieved peak fame as a household name across the , with his endorsements driving massive sales for products like Kaboom and . In 2009, he co-starred with Sullivan in the docuseries PitchMen, which chronicled the behind-the-scenes process of developing and pitching inventions for television, offering viewers insight into the world. Mays' contributions to direct-response advertising were monumental, with the products he promoted generating over $1 billion in gross sales throughout his career.

Personal life

Marriages and family

Billy Mays' first marriage was to Dolores "Dee Dee" DiDesiderio, with whom he had one son, Billy Mays III, born on August 12, 1986. The couple later divorced in the early 1990s. Mays maintained an amicable relationship with his ex-wife, and she along with his second wife supported their son's interests, such as his pursuit of music. In 2002, Mays married Deborah Mays, a union that lasted until his death in 2009. The couple had a daughter, Elizabeth, born around 2006. Elizabeth was three years old at the time of her father's passing. Mays shared a close bond with his children, particularly in his later years. His son Billy Mays III, who was raised primarily in by his mother, spent the final five years of Mays' life living with him and his family in their home in Tampa. As a , Billy III often accompanied his father to sales conventions, where he would play nearby while Mays pitched products. The younger Mays later worked as a alongside his father on the series PitchMen. The family resided in during Mays' most prominent career years, enjoying a home equipped with amenities like an eight-seat movie theater.

Political and religious affiliations

Billy Mays was a devout Christian, as recounted by his cousin Dean Panizzi during the eulogy at his funeral. His funeral service was held at St. John of God Catholic Church in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, reflecting his affiliation with Catholicism. In a 2008 interview, Mays identified as a Republican and expressed enthusiasm for pitching Republican presidential candidate John McCain, indicating his support for the party's nominee that year. While specific donations to conservative causes are not documented in available records, his political alignment aligned with Republican values during the election cycle. Mays maintained close ties to his Pittsburgh-area roots, frequently visiting McKees Rocks despite residing in , and expressed a personal commitment to giving back through mentoring others in the industry on his show Pitchmen.

Death

Final days and discovery

On June 27, 2009, Billy Mays was a passenger on Flight 1241 from to , which experienced a that caused the front tires to blow out. During the incident, falling luggage struck Mays on the head, resulting in a minor injury, though he reported feeling fine afterward and declined medical attention at the airport. Mays had recently completed filming for an commercial in on June 25 and was scheduled for additional endorsement shoots in the coming weeks. Upon arriving home to his residence in Tampa that evening, Mays rested but began complaining of a headache and fatigue the following morning, June 28. Around 7:30 a.m., his wife, Deborah Mays, discovered him unresponsive in their bed and immediately called emergency services. Paramedics arrived shortly thereafter and pronounced him dead at 7:45 a.m., at the age of 50. His body was then transported to the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner's office for further examination.

Autopsy findings and controversy

The autopsy of Billy Mays was conducted on June 29, 2009, by Dr. Vernard Adams, chief for . The examination revealed severe , characterized by an enlarged left ventricle and significant coronary artery , with no evidence of external or internal head trauma. These findings established the primary as a cardiac resulting from the heart conditions. Toxicology results, released on August 7, 2009, detected trace amounts of metabolite () and benzodiazepines ( and ) in Mays' system. The ruled these substances contributory but not primary to the death, noting the low levels indicated use approximately 4-5 days prior, while the benzodiazepines were at therapeutic ranges consistent with prescriptions. Additionally, prescription painkillers such as and were present, prescribed for of the hip. The toxicology findings sparked controversy, with Mays' family disputing any significant role for and attributing the death instead to an injury sustained when luggage fell on him during a turbulent flight the previous day. They commissioned an independent review by forensic pathologist Dr. William Manion, who concluded there was no evidence of chronic use and that it played no meaningful part in the death, affirming heart disease as the primary cause. Media coverage amplified speculation about drug abuse, contrasting with reports of Mays' occasional use of prescription painkillers for work-related injuries. The official , issued in July 2009, confirmed natural causes due to hypertensive and atherosclerotic heart disease, with the case closed despite the later contributory notation on .

Legacy

Cultural depictions and parodies

Billy Mays has been frequently parodied in television and online media, often exaggerating his boisterous pitching style and catchphrases to satirize culture. In the episode "Dead Celebrities" (season 13, episode 8, aired October 7, 2009), Mays voiced himself as a ghostly host haunting a group of deceased celebrities, relentlessly promoting products like Orange Glo and Kaboom even in the . This portrayal highlighted his inescapable presence in American pop culture, with Cartman attempting to exorcise his spirit to stop the sales pitches. Mays's persona extended into music and online content through satirical battles and remixes. In the 2011 Epic Rap Battles of History video "Billy Mays vs. Ben Franklin," Mays (portrayed by ) raps enthusiastically about his products against , only to "die" mid-performance from a heart attack, prompting rival pitchman (the ShamWow Guy) to take over and continue the battle. His iconic introduction, "Hi, I'm Billy Mays here!", spawned viral memes shortly after his death in 2009, with audio clips remixed into trap beats, parodies, and absurd scenarios on , such as dubs overlaying his voice on unrelated footage like cleaning product animations or gaming montages. These remixes proliferated in the early , cementing his status as an icon. Parodies of Mays appeared in fan-created content across films, advertisements, and video games, mimicking his high-energy endorsements. Amateur mockumentaries and short films on platforms like recreated his segments in fictional contexts, such as exaggerated sales pitches for nonsensical items. In gaming communities, his likeness was modded into titles like for comedic "attacks" or battles, reflecting his influence on geek culture and parody videos. While not officially featured in major games like , player-generated content often invoked his style in radio spot imitations or humorous skits. Post-2015, Mays's depictions shifted toward nostalgic recreations and cultural reflections. YouTube videos in 2025 continued to remix his pitches for retro appeal, such as TikTok clips dubbing his voice over modern products or absurd scenarios. Online discussions have examined Mandela effects tied to his catchphrases, like the widespread false memory that he frequently said "But wait, there's more!"—a line more associated with Ron Popeil—fueling debates about collective misremembrance of his commercials.

Tributes and ongoing influence

Following Billy Mays' sudden death on June 28, 2009, from , with use as a contributing factor, the industry and fans quickly paid to his contributions. The aired a one-hour special titled Pitchman: A Tribute to Billy Mays on , 2009, which highlighted his highlights, , and impact on direct-response television. His funeral on July 3, 2009, at in , drew hundreds of mourners, including fellow pitchman Anthony Sullivan and other industry figures who honored him with testimonials and symbolic gestures like distributing stickers featuring Mays' likeness. Mays' family has continued to preserve his legacy through public reflections and projects. In January 2025, his son Billy Mays III participated in interviews discussing his father's life, talent, and kindness, while announcing plans for a documentary exploring Mays' career and personal influence. Earlier, in July 2024, coinciding with the 15th anniversary of Mays' death, fans left a bottle of at his gravesite in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Kennedy Township, Pennsylvania, as a poignant and fitting homage to the product he famously promoted. Mays' energetic style has inspired subsequent generations of pitchmen in direct-response advertising, with his techniques—such as demonstrating product efficacy through vivid demonstrations and urgent calls to action—remaining a benchmark for engaging consumers. , one of his signature endorsements, maintained strong sales momentum after his passing, with the brand undergoing revivals and expansions under Co., demonstrating the enduring commercial viability of his promotional approach. His methods are referenced in professional analyses of direct-response strategies, underscoring their role in driving immediate consumer purchases. Recent commemorations have kept Mays' memory alive in media and spaces. In , the 15th anniversary of his death prompted widespread posts reminiscing about his appearances and cultural footprint. A 2020 episode of Reelz's Autopsy: The Last Hours Of... series examined the circumstances of his death while reflecting on his rise as a television icon. By 2025, channels released nostalgia-focused videos marking key career milestones, such as his early pitches and Pitchmen series appearances, attracting viewers interested in 2000s pop culture. On a broader scale, Mays significantly elevated the "" genre, transforming infomercials into a dominant force in consumer product marketing through his high-energy delivery and focus on practical demonstrations. His promotions are credited with influencing billions in sales across the direct-response industry, establishing a template for authentic, persuasive advertising that persists in modern and television formats.

Products promoted

Signature infomercial products

Billy Mays became synonymous with direct-response through his high-energy pitches for a select group of household cleaning and maintenance products, where his hands-on demonstrations and booming voice drove massive consumer interest and sales in the early 2000s. These long-form TV ads, often running 30 minutes or more, showcased product efficacy in real-time, turning everyday items into must-haves and establishing Mays as the face of the Orange Glo International portfolio before he branched out. OxiClean, an oxygen-based powder cleaner designed to remove tough stains from fabrics and surfaces, marked Mays' breakthrough in 2000 when he filmed his first for the three-year-old brand. His promotions emphasized the product's versatility—dissolving in water to create a powerful bleaching agent—through vivid demos of stain elimination on carpets, clothing, and upholstery, punctuated by his signature shout of "!" to grab viewer attention. Mays' campaigns propelled annual sales to $300 million to $400 million, with over 15 million units sold during his tenure. Closely tied to , Orange Glo was a citrus-scented wood polish and cleaner that Mays promoted from the late onward as part of bundled offers in infomercials. The product promised to restore shine and protect wood surfaces without streaking, with Mays demonstrating its application on furniture and floors to highlight its natural formula. His efforts helped Orange Glo International achieve estimated sales of $400 million by 2005, culminating in the company's $325 million acquisition by in 2006. Kaboom, a foaming launched in Mays' promotions during the , targeted , tiles, and tubs with its effervescent formula that activated on contact to dissolve and . Mays' infomercials featured close-up shots of the foam's clinging action and effortless rinse-off, positioning it as a no-scrub solution for tough messes. The product's success under Mays led to its acquisition by (Arm & Hammer's parent) in 2006, integrating it into a broader retail lineup. In 2008, Mays pitched , a super-absorbent cleaning cloth using X27 fiber technology that holds over 20 ounces of liquid. His infomercials demonstrated its utility for everything from accidents to kitchen overflows by wringing out the absorbed liquid after use. gained further exposure through Mays' appearances on the series PitchMen, where he collaborated on refining its direct-response strategy. Collectively, Mays' infomercial work for these products generated over $1 billion in gross sales across his 11-year television career, underscoring his pivotal role in elevating direct-response for consumer .

Other endorsements and collaborations

In addition to his flagship , Billy Mays endorsed several repair-oriented household products, including Mighty Putty and Mighty Mendit, both launched around 2008. Mighty Putty, an epoxy-based adhesive touted for its strength in fixing leaks, cracks, and breaks on various surfaces, was demonstrated in commercials where Mays showcased its durability by supporting heavy loads, such as pulling a or holding up a boat. Similarly, Mighty Mendit, a flexible repair tape for similar fixes, appeared in 2009 ads emphasizing its waterproof and tear-resistant properties, with Mays highlighting applications for plumbing and automotive repairs. These products were further featured in episodes of the series PitchMen, where Mays and co-host Anthony Sullivan tested their performance in real-world scenarios. Mays ventured into humorous advertising with a series of parody commercials for ESPN360, the network's online streaming service, beginning in December 2008. In these spots, Mays adopted his signature high-energy style but infused it with self-deprecating comedy, such as interrupting sports scenarios in an office or college setting to promote the platform's accessibility for live events. The ads marked a departure from his typical product pitches, blending satire with his boisterous persona to appeal to sports fans. Shortly before his death, Mays negotiated a major endorsement deal with in early 2009 for infomercial-style commercials promoting menu items, with filming scheduled for July. The agreement, which aimed to leverage his enthusiastic delivery for the fast-food chain, was ultimately canceled following his passing on June 28, 2009. Mays also collaborated on shorter-form pitches through guest appearances on home shopping networks, notably the , where he sold thousands of units of products like Orange Glo in single segments during the and . His efforts on included rapid-fire demonstrations that once moved 6,000 bottles of the wood polish in just 11 minutes. Beyond core infomercials, he endorsed over 20 minor products, such as the Samurai Shark knife sharpener, Fix It scratch remover for cars in 2007–2008 ads, and the Washamatik, a portable laundry spraying device from his early career. These endorsements, often aired on syndicated networks, highlighted everyday utility items like car waxes and cleaning tools.

References

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  2. https://people.com/what-was-billy-mays-cause-of-death-11760940
  3. https://www.npr.org/2009/08/07/111676391/autopsy-cocaine-contributed-to-billy-mays-death
  4. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/230040900/joyce-palm
  5. https://aflcio.org/about/history/labor-history-events/mckees-rock-strike
  6. https://www.thequota.co/articles/but-wait-theres-more-the-story-of-legendary-pitchman-billy-mays
  7. https://www.musmannofh.com/obituary/RevRandy-Mays
  8. https://www.timesleader.com/archive/1219564/billy-mays-crowned-king-of-all-infomercials
  9. https://www.post-gazette.com/neighborhoods-west/2009/08/22/Billy-Mays-family-plans-benefit-for-McKees-Rocks/stories/200908220090
  10. https://dailyorange.com/2018/12/10-fun-facts-west-virginia/
  11. https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/it-took-billy-mays-years-to-perfect-that-pitch/
  12. https://fortune.com/2009/04/13/television-pitchmen-anthony-sullivan-billy-mays/
  13. https://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=7952824&page=1
  14. https://www.dailynews.com/2009/06/28/pitchman-billy-mays-of-oxiclean-fame-dies/
  15. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/613382/billy-mays-conquered-infomercial-world
  16. https://infomercial.com/infomerical-products/oxiclean/
  17. https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/billy-mays/197738
  18. https://www.cnbc.com/2009/07/14/billy-mays-is-gone-but-his-infomercials-go-on.html
  19. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1412356/
  20. https://people.com/where-are-billy-mays-children-now-8751311
  21. https://people.com/billy-mays-son-gives-rare-look-inside-late-oxyclean-founders-life-15-years-after-his-sudden-death-exclusive-8661915
  22. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna31724651
  23. https://www.post-gazette.com/breaking/2009/07/03/Billy-Mays-is-laid-to-rest/stories/200907030167
  24. https://www.post-gazette.com/news/obituaries/2009/06/29/obituary-billy-mays-pitchman-extraordinaire/stories/200906290182
  25. https://www.npr.org/2009/06/28/106027159/infomercial-star-billy-mays-dies-at-50
  26. https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=7955223&page=1
  27. https://www.nj.com/news/2009/07/deceased_tv_pitchman_billy_may.html
  28. https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/tv-pitchman-mays-had-heart-disease-no-trauma-idUSTRE55S54J/
  29. https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=7955223
  30. https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-mays-autopsy30-2009jun30-story.html
  31. https://www.autopsyfiles.org/reports/Celebs/mays_billy_report.pdf
  32. https://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=8279803
  33. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/heart-attack-claimed-pitchman-mays-life/
  34. https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/mays-family-review-finds-no-chronic-cocaine-use/
  35. http://sepinwall.blogspot.com/2009/10/south-park-dead-celebrities-ignorance.html
  36. https://epicrapbattlesofhistory.fandom.com/wiki/Billy_Mays_vs_Ben_Franklin
  37. https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/people/billy-mays
  38. https://www.wbur.org/kindworld/2021/11/23/kind-world-presents-et-mays
  39. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL718EE39ABC145748
  40. https://www.sidequesting.com/2009/06/billy-mays-effect-on-the-gaming-world/
  41. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY2rD322UR4
  42. https://www.reddit.com/r/MandelaEffect/comments/6pxi5z/billy_mays_famous_catchphrase_but_wait_theres/
  43. https://www.nydailynews.com/2009/07/08/billy-mays-tribute-set-to-air-on-discovery-channel-on-thursday-night/
  44. https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2009/07/04/His-fellow-pitchmen-give-Billy-Mays-a-proper-sendoff/stories/200907040133
  45. https://harvestgrowthpodcast.buzzsprout.com/300422/episodes/16454747-the-legacy-behind-the-pitch-a-conversation-with-billy-mays-iii-about-talent-generosity-and-kindness
  46. https://nypost.com/2024/07/22/us-news/billys-mays-honored-with-bottle-of-oxiclean-15-years-after-his-death/
  47. https://adage.com/article/guest-columnists/marketing-advertisers-learn-billy-mays/138590/
  48. https://autos.yahoo.com/2009-07-03-after-the-death-of-a-salesman-what-happens-to-the-ad-campaign.html
  49. https://www.searchenginewatch.com/2009/07/01/7-marketing-lessons-from-the-late-great-pitchman-billy-mays/
  50. https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Autopsy-The-Last-Hours-of/0F7B9L2AEEFJYPIWIZLQNPGOQM
  51. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDjJNvrh4Ns
  52. https://www.forbes.com/2005/02/15/cz_pb_0215orangeglo.html
  53. https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2009/06/death-of-a-pitchman-remembering-billy-mays
  54. https://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/06/29/mays.profile/index.html
  55. https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/billy-mays-son-talks-to-the-mj-morning-show/67-391509723
  56. https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/business/2009/07/05/for-billy-mays-ads-pitch/51923785007/
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