Billy Mays facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 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.
Died	June 28, 2009(2009-06-28) (aged 50) Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Resting place	Mount Calvary Cemetery, McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Other names	King of the Pitch
Occupation	Television direct-response advertisement salesman
Years active	1983–2009
Employer	Home Shopping Network
Known for	Infomercial acting
Notable work	See products pitched
Television	PitchMen
Board member of	Mays Promotions, Inc.
Spouse(s)	Dolores Mays (divorced) Deborah Mays
Children	2

William Darrell Mays Jr. (born July 20, 1958 – died June 28, 2009) was a famous American TV salesperson. He was known for his loud voice and energetic sales pitches. Billy Mays promoted many different products on TV, like OxiClean, Orange Glo, and Kaboom.

His commercials were often shown on the Home Shopping Network. He also had his own company called Mays Promotions, Inc. Billy Mays was easily recognized by his beard and the way he spoke. He became a well-known face on television in the United States and Canada.

Billy Mays and his business partner, Anthony Sullivan, even had their own TV show. It was called PitchMen and aired on the Discovery Channel. The show followed them as they worked.

Billy Mays' early life

Billy Mays was born on July 20, 1958, in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. He grew up in a nearby city called Pittsburgh. He went to Sto-Rox High School. Later, he attended West Virginia University. There, he played linebacker on the school's football team for two years.

Billy Mays' career

Starting out as a salesman

After leaving college, Billy Mays worked for his father's company. In 1983, he moved to Atlantic City, New Jersey. On the Atlantic City boardwalk, he started selling products. He sold a portable washing device called Washmatik. He also sold other "As Seen on TV" items.

Older salespeople in Atlantic City taught him how to sell. Billy Mays said he learned his selling style from these experienced "pitchmen." For twelve years, he traveled across the United States. He sold cleaning products and tools at home shows, auto shows, and state fairs.

Becoming a TV star

In 1993, Billy Mays met another salesman named Max Appel. Max Appel founded Orange Glo International, a company that made cleaning products. Billy Mays was hired to promote their products on the Home Shopping Network. These products included OxiClean, Orange Clean, Orange Glo, and Kaboom.

Customers loved Billy Mays' sales pitches. Sales of the products went up quickly after his first day on TV. He became famous for shouting during his commercials. People often talked about his loud and energetic style.

In October 2000, Billy Mays filmed a commercial for OxiClean. He became a main part of the OxiClean brand and the Orange Glo company. He also appeared in commercials for Kaboom.

Billy Mays was the CEO and founder of Mays Promotions, Inc. Many companies wanted him to promote their products. He appeared in commercials for many "As Seen On TV" items, like Mighty Putty. Billy Mays often said that he used the products he promoted himself.

In December 2008, Billy Mays started appearing in ads for ESPN's online service, ESPN360. These ads were a bit different. They made fun of the typical infomercial style. He also appeared live during a football game, the 2008 Champs Sports Bowl. Before he passed away, Billy Mays had signed a deal with Taco Bell. He was going to film commercials for their restaurants.

On April 15, 2009, the Discovery Channel started airing PitchMen. This TV show followed Billy Mays and Anthony Sullivan as they worked in TV sales. After Billy Mays' death, the Discovery Channel aired a special show. It was called Pitchman: A Tribute to Billy Mays to honor him.

Billy Mays also appeared on popular late-night talk shows. He was on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in March 2009. He and Anthony Sullivan also appeared on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien in June 2009.

Billy Mays' family life

Billy Mays was married twice. His first marriage was to Dolores "Dee Dee" Mays, and they later divorced. He had a son with Dolores named Billy Mays III. His son was born on August 12, 1986. Billy Mays III worked with his father on the PitchMen TV show.

Billy Mays had a daughter named Elizabeth with his second wife, Deborah Mays. Elizabeth was three years old when her father passed away. Billy Mays' mother, Joyce Palm, and his father, Billy Mays Sr., were still alive when he died.

In an interview during the 2008 presidential election, Billy Mays said he was a Republican.

Billy Mays' passing

On the morning of June 28, 2009, Billy Mays' wife found him not moving in their home in Tampa, Florida. He was pronounced dead at 7:45 a.m. He was 50 years old and seemed to have passed away during the night.

Billy Mays' funeral was held on July 3, 2009. It took place in his hometown of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. The people who carried his coffin wore blue shirts and khaki pants. This was similar to the clothes Billy Mays wore when he filmed his commercials. He is buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

After his death, many companies stopped showing ads with Billy Mays. They replaced them with similar ads featuring Anthony Sullivan. By mid-July, with his family's permission, some of his ads were put back on TV. Some ads that had never been shown before were also aired.

Products Billy Mays promoted

See also

In Spanish: Billy Mays para niños