Billy Mays

This article is about the salesperson. For other people with similar names, see Billy Mays (disambiguation).

Billy Mays
Mays in June 2009, shortly before his death
Born
William Darrell Mays Jr.

(1958-07-20)July 20, 1958
McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedJune 28, 2009(2009-06-28) (aged 50)
Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Burial placeMount Calvary Cemetery, McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Other namesKing of the Pitch
OccupationTelevision direct-response advertisement salesman
Years active1983–2009
EmployerHome Shopping Network
Known forInfomercial acting
Notable workSee products pitched
TelevisionPitchMen
Board member ofMays Promotions, Inc.
Spouses
  • Dolores DiDesiderio
    ​
    (div. 1990)​
    [1]
  • Deborah Mays
    ​
    (m. 2002)​
    [1]
Children2

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.

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]

  1. ^ a b Belcher, Walt; Poltilove, Josh; Reyes, Ray; Osowski, Chip; Shepherd, Natalie (June 28, 2009). "TV pitchman Billy Mays found dead in Tampa home". Tampa Bay Online. Archived from the original on June 30, 2009. Retrieved June 28, 2009.
  2. ^ "Raw Data: Billy Mays Biography". Fox News. June 28, 2009. Archived from the original on July 1, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  3. ^ "Report: 'Infomercial King' Billy Mays Found Dead in Home". Fox News. June 28, 2009. Archived from the original on April 7, 2013. Retrieved June 28, 2009.
  4. ^ Segal, David (August 19, 2008). "Shill Game: With His Booming Voice, Billy Mays Projects That Sales Will Rise". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 11, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2009.
  5. ^ "Infomercial pitchman Billy Mays found dead". CTV News At 11. CTV.ca. June 28, 2009. Archived from the original on July 31, 2012.