Billy Mays was born on July 20, 1958, in Mckees Rocks, Pennsylvania. He grew up in a working-class family and from a young age, he displayed an entrepreneurial spirit. Mays was always looking for ways to make money, whether it was selling lemonade on the corner or shoveling snow for his neighbors.
As a teenager, Mays discovered his talent for sales when he began working at a local hardware store. He quickly learned how to pitch products and persuade customers to make a purchase. This early experience would serve him well in his future career as an infomercial pitchman.
After graduating from high school, Mays attended West Virginia University, where he joined the football team as a walk-on. Although he was not a star player, Mays enjoyed his time on the team and learned valuable lessons about teamwork and perseverance.
After college, Mays had a brief stint working for a hazardous waste company before he decided to pursue a career in sales. He honed his pitchman skills selling cleaning products and eventually landed a job as a television pitchman for various products.
It was not long before Mays became a household name as the loud-voiced pitchman for products such as OxiClean, Orange Glo, and Hercules Hooks. His energetic and enthusiastic delivery made him a hit with viewers, and his catchphrases, such as "But wait, there's more!" and "Hi, Billy Mays here!" became iconic.
Mays became known for endorsing products that he personally used and believed in. He would never promote a product that he had not tested himself, ensuring that his recommendations were genuine and trustworthy.
Mays was married twice and had two children, a son from his first marriage and a daughter from his second. Despite his busy work schedule, Mays was a devoted father and always made time for his family.
In 2009, Mays was invited to appear on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, further solidifying his status as a pop culture icon. He continued to work as a pitchman until his untimely death in 2009.
Billy Mays will always be remembered for his larger-than-life personality and his passion for the products he endorsed. He was a true sales genius who revolutionized the infomercial industry and left a lasting legacy in the world of advertising.