Billy Mays on Pitchmen. (Photo: Discovery Channel)

One of the last true "pitchmen," Billy Mays became a familiar face to TV watchers everywhere as the enthusiastic host of commercials for OxiClean. The bearded salesman had been selling "As Seen On TV" products since the early '80s, when the then 30-something convinced passers-by to pick up various products on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City. He learned his old-fashioned style of salesmanship from the men who ran the Jersey Shore business, and he became successful using the now largely forgotten technique himself, pitching products at state fairs and other events for the following decade.

In the early '90s, Mays developed a partnership with the owner of Orange Glo, a line of household cleaners, and soon began performing his act on nationally syndicated commercials for the products. He soon found himself ingrained in the popular culture, and eventually founded his own promotional company, Mays Promotions, Inc. He continued to appear in TV ads, and his strength as a media personality eventually landed him on TV shows, like a June 2009 episode of The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien. Tragically, Mays died unexpectedly on June 29, 2009. He was 51. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide