Billy Mays, who rose to prominence in the infomercial world in the early 2000s, is best remembered for his energetic pitches for products such as OxiClean and Kaboom. Mays passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack on June 28, 2009, at the age of 50, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the advertising industry.
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Born in Pittsburgh, Mays developed his sales acumen on the bustling boardwalk of Atlantic City, where he honed his signature style characterised by high volume and enthusiasm. His breakthrough moment came in 2000 with a television advertisement for OxiClean, which set off a surge in his career as an infomercial star. Over the years, he promoted a wide array of products, ranging from home improvement items like Mighty Putty and Orange Glo to insurance services, always kicking off his pitches with the memorable phrase, “Hi, Billy Mays here!”
His dedication to his craft was evident; his business partner Anthony Sullivan referred to him as “the hardest working man in television,” underscoring Mays’ commitment to the products he sold. However, his vibrant career was abruptly interrupted by tragedy. On the morning of June 28, Mays was found unresponsive in his bed by his wife, Deborah, after a seemingly ordinary evening. The family’s grief was compounded by the shock of his sudden passing at such a relatively young age.
An autopsy by the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner concluded that heart disease was the primary cause of Mays’ death. Although the initial findings indicated no evidence of drug abuse, a toxicology report later revealed the presence of cocaine, suggesting it was a contributing factor to his demise. Mays had also been prescribed painkillers to manage hip discomfort, and his family contested the toxicology assertions, labelling them speculative and unnecessary.
The family pursued an independent autopsy, which contradicted the medical examiner’s conclusions regarding cocaine use. Dr. William Manion, who carried out the second autopsy, found no indicators of chronic cocaine abuse and stated that it did not contribute to Mays’ death. Deborah Mays expressed concern over the impact these findings had on her husband’s reputation and hoped to set the record straight about the kind of person he was.
Before any autopsy outcomes, there was speculation about a possible head injury Mays might have sustained the day before. Reports indicated that he had been on a US Airways flight that experienced turbulence, during which an object struck him on the head, although subsequent investigations ruled out head trauma as a factor in his death.
Billy Mays was pronounced dead shortly after 7:45 am on June 28, with claims suggesting he may have passed the night before. In a distressing 911 call, his wife conveyed her panic upon finding him unresponsive, describing a vivid image of her husband cold and unbreathing next to her.
Despite the sorrow surrounding his unexpected passing, the public reaction highlighted how much Mays was revered. Tributes poured in from friends, fans, and colleagues, with Sullivan remarking on how Mays’ booming presence would be greatly missed. Just a fortnight following his death, infomercials featuring Mays began to reappear on television screens, leading to a significant boost in product sales.
In the wake of Mays’ passing, however, the success of these products began to wane. According to Bill McAlister of Media Enterprises, sales for items like Mighty Putty dropped dramatically after an initial spike. To combat this decline, the company revised its strategy, enlisting Sullivan to fill the void left by Mays. Sullivan went on to take the lead in the Discovery Channel series “Pitchmen,” which had previously showcased both his and Mays’ lives as pitchmen.
Even after almost two decades, Billy Mays’ influence remains deeply ingrained in the world of advertising, remembered not just for his unique infomercial style but also for the impact he had on the products he promoted. His family continues to cherish his memory; Mays’ son, Billy Mays III, shared a touching account of finding a bottle of OxiClean left by a fan at his father’s grave.
Mays’ legacy persists through his children, who carry forward the stories and memories of their father. As Billy Mays III introduces his daughter to her grandfather, he reflects on the joy of unveiling the man behind the iconic commercials when she is older. The essence of Billy Mays lives on not only in the products he championed but also in the hearts of those who remember him fondly.