Billy Mays. (July 20, 1958 – June 28, 2009) was the face of direct response marketing in America. His upbeat and friendly- in your face personality-helped sell any product he represented. He was a simple salesman who built his way up to celebrity status through his unique delivery and convincing  pitch. It was his distinctive, burly, bearded look and booming voice that make him the most well known figure in television sales. Billy Mays was ...