TAMPA, Fla. — Billy Mays, the notorious infomercial pitchman behind such products as OxiClean, was found dead at his home in Tampa, Fla. on Sunday. He was 50.
Deborah Mays, the pitchman’s wife, discovered her husband unconscious early Sunday. He was pronounced dead at 7:45 a.m., authorities said.
There has been some speculation that an airplane incident may have played a part in the pitchman’s sudden death. On Saturday, Mays was aboard a US Airways flight that experienced a hard landing when the plane’s front tires blew out after touching down at Tampa International Airport.
“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,” Mays told a local television station after the hard landing.
A spokesperson for the airline said there were no reported injuries.
An autopsy has been scheduled for Monday.
Mays starred as a spokesman for OxiClean, Orange Glo and many other products. His exploits are featured on the Discovery Channel reality show, “Pitchman.”
“Everyone [who knew] him was aware of his larger-than-life personality, generosity and warmth,” read a statement from the Discovery Channel. “Billy was a pioneer in his field … 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.”
In addition to his wife, Mays is survived by the couple’s two children.
