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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009
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26

Infomercial Icon Mays Dead at 50

TV Pitchman wasn't wearing a seatbelt: FAA

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(Newser) – Television pitchman Billy Mays was found dead in his Tampa, Fla., home today, the St. Petersburg Times reports. He was 50. The promoter of everything from baking soda to cleaning supplies said he felt unwell last night after landing in a 737 airplane that blew out a front tire. Mays told a reporter "things from the ceiling started dropping" and hitting him on the head. The FAA initially deflected blame, saying he wasn't wearing a seatbelt, TMZ reports.

"The passenger needs to wear a seat belt during landing and he didn't," an FAA spokesperson said. He later took back the remark, saying, "At this point in time, we cannot have any idea who was or wasn't wearing their seat belt on the plane." Mays leaves behind a wife, 3-year-old daughter, and a stepson. An autopsy is slated for tomorrow.

In this Dec. 6, 2002 file photo,TV pitchman Billy Mays poses with some of his cleaning products at his Palm Harbor, Fla., home.
In this Dec. 6, 2002 file photo,TV pitchman Billy Mays poses with some of his cleaning products at his Palm Harbor, Fla., home.   (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
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This is a 2-minute spot made for Orange Glo International's Wood Cleaner and Polish, featuring the late Billy Mays.   (kdmpro)

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The passenger needs to wear a seat belt during landing and he didn't.
- FAA rep, in comments to TMZ

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26 comments
VIEWING:
 
2-bits
Jun 28, 09 2:58 PM CDT
He should have gone straight to the hospital. Also: Oh god where will it all end. Reply
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+2
IN RESPONSE:
shonangreg
Jun 28, 09 6:17 PM CDT
From the article, it appears that he only got a slight bump on the head. No one asked for medical treatment. Maybe this was just a coincidence . . . Autopsy results will be released soon.
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+1
Newser001
Jun 28, 09 3:08 PM CDT
Feel bad for him and his family, but he always gave me a headache when he was pitching - Far too forceful, kitschy for me; avoided him like the plague. Reply
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+5
TerrifiedCitizen
Jun 28, 09 3:10 PM CDT
I feel sad for this man and his family, but wouldn't want anything I said to mislead the advertising industry. His screaming at me on TV were the very first commercials to be turned down or off; nobody wants to be screamed at. Reply
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+8
2-bits
Jun 28, 09 3:13 PM CDT
I guess I'm the odd man out. I found his technique amusing rather than annoying. He's a great subject for parody. Reply
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+6

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