5 Shocking Facts About Billy Mays: The Infomercial Guy’s Tragic Death And His Son’s Secret Career

The booming voice of the direct-response television era, Billy Mays, remains an unforgettable figure in pop culture, nearly two decades after his peak. Known for his signature blue shirt, neatly trimmed beard, and high-energy sales pitch, Mays became a household name by transforming products like OxiClean and Mighty Putty into global sensations. As of today, December 12, 2025, his legacy continues to influence modern digital marketing, but the story behind the man—especially the circumstances of his sudden death—holds surprising and often overlooked details that reveal a far more complex life than his on-screen persona suggested.

The infomercial king's reign was tragically cut short, leaving behind a massive empire and a controversial final chapter that shocked fans and media outlets alike. While his career was defined by his unwavering enthusiasm for consumer products, his personal life was marked by the intensity of the job and a stunning autopsy report. This article dives deep into the full biography of William Darrell Mays Jr., the truth of his passing, his substantial net worth, and the unexpected career path taken by his son, Billy Mays III, who is now carving out his own unique legacy.

William Darrell Mays Jr.: The King of Infomercials Biography

William Darrell Mays Jr., universally known as Billy Mays, was an American television direct-response advertisement salesperson who rose from a street vendor to an icon of late-night television. His distinctive, shouting delivery and genuine passion for the products he sold made him one of the most successful pitchmen in history. Here is a detailed look at his life and career:

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• Full Name: William Darrell Mays Jr.
• Date of Birth: July 20, 1958
• Place of Birth: McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, U.S.
• Date of Death: June 28, 2009 (Age 50)
• Cause of Death: Heart disease (contributing factor: cocaine use)
• Spouse: Deborah Mays (divorced), Theresa Mays
• Children: Billy Mays III, Elizabeth Mays
• Early Career: Mays began his career on the Atlantic City boardwalk, selling various products, before moving to the home show circuit in Florida. This experience honed his aggressive, yet charismatic, sales technique.
• Breakthrough: His big break came in 1993 when he partnered with the founder of Orange Glo International. He began promoting the company’s products, including Orange Glo, OxiClean, and Kaboom, on the Home Shopping Network (HSN) and in infomercials.
• Signature Style: Known for his catchphrase, "Hi, Billy Mays here," his signature blue shirt, and his energetic, often shouted, delivery.
• Key Products: OxiClean, Mighty Putty, Mighty Mend-It, Orange Glo, Kaboom, and the Simoniz Fix-It automotive scratch remover.
• Television Appearances: Mays starred alongside his competitor, Anthony "Sully" Sullivan, in the Discovery Channel reality series PitchMen.
• Estimated Net Worth at Death: Approximately $10 million.

The Controversial Truth: Billy Mays' Cause of Death and the Infomercial Industry

Billy Mays' sudden passing in 2009 sent shockwaves through the infomercial world and among his millions of fans. While the public outpouring of grief was immense, the official autopsy report quickly shifted the narrative from a simple tragedy to a complex and controversial discussion about the pressures of his high-octane lifestyle.

What Really Killed the OxiClean Pitchman?

Mays was found unresponsive in his Tampa, Florida, home on June 28, 2009, just days after he had been in a plane that experienced a rough landing. Initially, his death was attributed to a heart attack. However, the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner's toxicology report later revealed a more complicated picture: Mays died of heart disease, but the use of cocaine was a significant contributing factor.

The medical examiner stated that cocaine use had "caused or contributed to the development of his heart disease," which ultimately led to the fatal heart attack. This revelation was a stunning twist for a man whose public image was one of clean, family-friendly entrepreneurial success. The news sparked a necessary, albeit uncomfortable, conversation about the intense, often grueling, travel and production schedules that defined the lives of top direct-response salespeople.

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The controversy surrounding his death cemented Mays as a tragic figure, a man whose professional success masked a private struggle. His story serves as a stark reminder of the human cost behind the booming, over-the-top personality that sold millions of products. Despite the nature of his passing, his professional achievements remain a benchmark in the history of DRTV (Direct Response Television).

The Enduring Legacy: From OxiClean to 'Infinite Third'

While Billy Mays is no longer pitching products, his influence on the industry and the success of the brands he championed—like OxiClean—continues. After his death, the brand transitioned to other pitchmen, such as Anthony "Sully" Sullivan, but Mays' foundational work is credited with turning the cleaning product into the household staple it is today.

The Evolution of the Pitchman

Mays' legacy is often discussed alongside other famous infomercial pitchmen who defined the industry, including Ron Popeil (inventor of the Veg-O-Matic and Pocket Fisherman), Vince Offer (the ShamWow Guy), and Don Lapre. Mays’ style, however, was uniquely loud and direct, a stark contrast to the more subdued sales techniques of the digital era. His success came at a pivotal time, just before the full explosion of digital marketing, and his methods are now seen as the "golden age" of traditional infomercials.

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Today, the world of direct-response advertising has evolved, moving from late-night TV slots to digital platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. Yet, the core principle Mays perfected—a compelling, problem-solving demonstration with an urgent call-to-action—remains the blueprint for modern digital ads and sales funnels.

Billy Mays III: A Different Kind of Pitchman

Perhaps the most unexpected part of the Billy Mays story is the path taken by his son, Billy Mays III. Instead of following his father into the demanding world of consumer sales, Billy Mays III has forged a career in music and art, operating under the stage name Infinite Third.

While he briefly worked as a production assistant on his father’s reality show, Pitchmen, Billy Mays III chose a vastly different creative path. He is known for creating ambient, instrumental, and experimental music, using looping technology to build complex soundscapes. He has also been involved in philanthropic efforts, notably with The Laundry Project by Current Initiatives, an organization that helps provide free laundry services to those in need.

Billy Mays III’s career is a quiet, meditative contrast to his father’s boisterous, high-volume life. He has embraced his heritage while successfully creating his own identity, demonstrating that the Mays name can stand for more than just cleaning products and super-strong adhesives. His artistic endeavors and community involvement ensure that the family's legacy—though dramatically different in form—continues to be a positive force in the modern world. His story offers a fresh, current-day perspective on the family name, proving that even a pitchman's legacy can evolve into something entirely new.