Billy Mays, Jr., the most famous direct response pitchman will always be remembered for pitching products like Oxi Clean, Orange Glo, and the Jupiter Jack. Billy Mays possessed a unique personality. Coupled with his trademark blue shirt and beard endeared him to working class Americans.
Mays was born in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, on July 20, 1958. He would go on to attend Sto-Rox High School, while living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He dropped out of West Virginia University. Billy Mays began working with his father's hazardous waste company. He then moved to Atlantic City in 1983.
Billy Mays's move to Atlantic City introduced him to his future career...pitchman. Billy started pitching products such as Washamatik. Washmatik is a portable cleaning device. He "pitched" to anyone who would listen or could be drawn into listening. Soon, the world would realize that Billy Mays had found his calling.
Atlantic City's pitchmen built the Billy Mays we know and love. These pitchmen taught Billy how to draw in a crowd and develop a pitch that would "seal the deal". Billy Mays soaked up their suggestions like a sponge. When he was ready, he took his show on the road. Criss-crossing America selling various products at auto shows, home expos, and fairs.
Billy Mays met Max Appel in 1993. Max Appel had founded Orange Glo International. Appel and Billy were rival pitchmen. Even though he was a pitchman, Appel realized that Billy Mays could make him money. He hired Billy to promote his company's cleaning products. Through the Home Shopping Network, Billy would turn such products as Kaboom, Orange Glo, and OxiClean into household names.
Billy Mays soon achieved the rank of entrepeneur. Mays Promotions, Inc. was founded by Billy Mays. He served as the company's Chief Operating Officer (CEO). His Odessa, Florida home was the company's first headquarters. Success would not elude him. Companies and inventors fought over the chance to have their products sold by the world's greatest pitchman.
Billy Mays was destined to become a TV superstar. With business partner Anthony Sullivan, he entered into a contract with Discovery Channel to produce "Pitchmen". Pitchmen is a documentary that provides a behind the scenes look at infomercials. From reviewing new inventions to choosing the best one and filming an infomercial.
No one gets out of life alive. Billy Mays expiration came on June 28, 2009. His wife found him unresponsive in bed. Early reports seemed to indicate a head injury from a very turbulent flight. Overhead bins had opened and released various items onto Billy Mays's head. Autopsy would not find any head trauma. It would indicate Mays had died of a massive heart attack.
Billy Mays's autopsy was performed by Dr. Vernard Adams. Dr. Adams is the coroner for Hillsborough County, Florida. His autopsy found that Mays was brought down by hypertensive heart disease. A heart attack had ended the world's greatest pitchman.
July 3, 2009, Billy Mays was laid to rest in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. In honor of him, pallbearers wore the same khaki pants and blue shirts that were Billy's trademark. He was even buried in a shire with the OxiClean logo.
Mays was born in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, on July 20, 1958. He would go on to attend Sto-Rox High School, while living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He dropped out of West Virginia University. Billy Mays began working with his father's hazardous waste company. He then moved to Atlantic City in 1983.
Billy Mays's move to Atlantic City introduced him to his future career...pitchman. Billy started pitching products such as Washamatik. Washmatik is a portable cleaning device. He "pitched" to anyone who would listen or could be drawn into listening. Soon, the world would realize that Billy Mays had found his calling.
Atlantic City's pitchmen built the Billy Mays we know and love. These pitchmen taught Billy how to draw in a crowd and develop a pitch that would "seal the deal". Billy Mays soaked up their suggestions like a sponge. When he was ready, he took his show on the road. Criss-crossing America selling various products at auto shows, home expos, and fairs.
Billy Mays met Max Appel in 1993. Max Appel had founded Orange Glo International. Appel and Billy were rival pitchmen. Even though he was a pitchman, Appel realized that Billy Mays could make him money. He hired Billy to promote his company's cleaning products. Through the Home Shopping Network, Billy would turn such products as Kaboom, Orange Glo, and OxiClean into household names.
Billy Mays soon achieved the rank of entrepeneur. Mays Promotions, Inc. was founded by Billy Mays. He served as the company's Chief Operating Officer (CEO). His Odessa, Florida home was the company's first headquarters. Success would not elude him. Companies and inventors fought over the chance to have their products sold by the world's greatest pitchman.
Billy Mays was destined to become a TV superstar. With business partner Anthony Sullivan, he entered into a contract with Discovery Channel to produce "Pitchmen". Pitchmen is a documentary that provides a behind the scenes look at infomercials. From reviewing new inventions to choosing the best one and filming an infomercial.
No one gets out of life alive. Billy Mays expiration came on June 28, 2009. His wife found him unresponsive in bed. Early reports seemed to indicate a head injury from a very turbulent flight. Overhead bins had opened and released various items onto Billy Mays's head. Autopsy would not find any head trauma. It would indicate Mays had died of a massive heart attack.
Billy Mays's autopsy was performed by Dr. Vernard Adams. Dr. Adams is the coroner for Hillsborough County, Florida. His autopsy found that Mays was brought down by hypertensive heart disease. A heart attack had ended the world's greatest pitchman.
July 3, 2009, Billy Mays was laid to rest in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. In honor of him, pallbearers wore the same khaki pants and blue shirts that were Billy's trademark. He was even buried in a shire with the OxiClean logo.
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