Infomercial pitchman Billy Mays

[Dade]

Courtesy of: CNN

Billy Mays, OxiClean pitchman, found dead

(CNN) -- Infomercial pitchman Billy Mays died at his Tampa, Florida, home Sunday morning, authorities told CNN.

OxiClean pitchman Billy Mays died Sunday morning at his home in Tampa, authorities said.

The 50-year-old known for his shouting OxiClean ads was pronounced dead at 7:45 a.m. The Hillborough County medical examiner will perform an autopsy, Tampa police Lt. Brian Dugan said.

Mays was on the US Airways flight from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Tampa on Saturday that had a hard landing at Tampa International Airport when the plane's front tire blew out. There were no reported injuries on Flight 1241, US Airways told CNN.

According to a local Tampa TV station, Mays said: "All of a sudden as we hit you know it was just the hardest hit, all the things from the ceiling started dropping. It hit me on the head, but I got a hard head."

The bearded Mays was a spokesman for Orange Glo and detergent OxiClean and appeared in commercials for other products.

He is featured on the reality TV show ''Pitchmen'' on the Discovery Channel, which follows pitch people in their jobs.

"It is with incredible sadness that we have to report that Billy Mays died in his sleep last night," said a statement from the Discovery Channel. "Everyone that knows him was aware of his larger-than-life personality, generosity and warmth. Billy was a pioneer in his field and helped many people fulfill their dreams. He will be greatly missed as a loyal and compassionate friend. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family at this time of incredible loss."

[pinkie]

Billy Mays, the prominent face and boastful voice behind some of television's biggest products, was found dead in his Florida home on Sunday morning.

The Tampa Police Department confirms to Fox News that Mays' unresponsive body was discovered by his wife, Deborah, at 7:45 a.m.

While police do not suspect foul play, Mays, 50, was on board a US Airways flight into Tampa on Saturday, when its front tires blew out during landing. US Airways spokesman Jim Olson said that while some passengers reported a few bumps and bruises, no one was seriously injured.

Following the flight, Mays was interviewed by Tampa's local news, MyFox 13, joking about being bumped during the landing. "All the things from the ceiling started dropping. It hit me on the head, but I got a hard head," teased Mays.

His wife released a statement after news of Mays death broke on Sunday, saying: "Although Billy lived a public life, we don't anticipate making any public statements over the next couple of days. Our family asks that you respect our privacy during these difficult times."

Mays is widely recognized as the "Infomercial King" for such products as OxiClean, Orange Glo and Kaboom. The ad spokesman has become a staple on televisions nationwide, always lighting up the screen with his trademark blue button-up shirt, distinctive beard and loud but memorable sales pitches.

Most recently, Mays became the co-host of his own Discovery Channel series, Pitchmen, alongside fellow infomercial honcho, Anthony Sullivan. The pair appeared on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien last week discussing their foray into what is officially called direct-response marketing.

Following the sad news, Discovery Channel released their own comment, stating: "It is with incredible sadness that we have to report that Billy Mays died in his sleep last night. Everyone that knows him was aware of his larger-than-life personality, generosity and warmth."

They continue, "Billy was a pioneer in his field and helped many people fulfill their dreams. He will be greatly missed as a loyal and compassionate friend. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family at this time of incredible loss. More information will be distributed as it becomes available."

Authorities expect an autopsy to be completed by Monday afternoon.

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Edited June 28, 2009 by pinkie
Merged Threads

[Moxie]

Holy crap! I hate to hear that. My heart goes out to his family.

If I had a choice I'd want to die in my sleep also.

[Dade]

Courtesy of: ZAP2IT

Billy Mays' autopsy: heart failure likely, no head trauma

By Hanh Nguyen

June 29, 2009 10:49 AM

Billy Mays may have died of a heart attack, says a Florida medical examiner.

Initial findings in the autopsy on the famous TV pitchman showed that he had suffered from hypertensive heart disease, reports the AP.

There was no head trauma found, a significant point since earlier reports had speculated that Mays' bumping his head during a rough airplane landing on Saturday could have caused his death. He was found dead by his wife in his Tampa home Sunday morning.

Also, Hillsborough County Medical Examiner Vernard Adams notes that although Mays took prescription painkillers Tramadol and hydrocodone for hip pain -- he was due to have hip surgery in the coming weeks -- there was on indication of drug abuse.

Further tests are still needed before a cause of death is pinpointed.

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Very sad. Thinking of his friend and family.

[King123]

Jeeze.. this past week has been horrible for celbs.. I liked Billy mays.. he was on Leno just a couple of months ago, and I remember thinking "Jeee, he is a lot bigger then what he looks like on those commercials."

[Yana]

CNN Has been saying it was a blood clot in his lungs that killed him...