From household names to distant memories
Before social media influencers and TikTok product demos, there were TV pitchmen, those energetic faces you couldn’t escape during late-night channel flips or weekend marathons. They sold everything from miracle cleaners to fat-burning machines, their voices practically embedded in our heads. But just as quickly as they rose, many quietly slipped out of the spotlight. Here are nine iconic infomercial celebrities who once ruled the screen,and what happened after the cameras stopped rolling.
1. Billy Mays: The Voice of OxiClean
Billy Mays was known for promoting cleaning products and others like Orange Glo and Mighty Putty. He also was the prominent and recognizable voice behind many “As Seen on TV” products, especially in the 2000s, including OxiClean and Kaboom. He became a cultural icon for his enthusiastic and loud-talking style, which was featured in numerous commercials and infomercials with his signature beard, blue shirt, and infectious enthusiasm.
He also promoted various other gadgets and products, such as the Grip Wrench and Turbo Tiger vacuum, making became the ultimate sales icon. According to reports, he was everywhere, from late-night slots to guest appearances on shows like PitchMen. Sadly, Billy’s larger-than-life presence was cut short when he died unexpectedly in 2009 at age 50.
2. Ron Popeil: The King of Kitchen Gadgets
“Set it and forget it!” Remember that? Ron Popeil practically invented the genre of infomercials with gadgets like the Showtime Rotisserie and the Veg-O-Matic. This man didn’t just sell products, he created them. His style was warm, convincing, and delightfully corny. Ron’s name became as recognizable as the tools he pitched, with catchphrases entering the pop culture lexicon. Over time, Ron stepped back from public life and focused more on innovation behind the scenes. He passed away in 2021, leaving behind a legacy of inventiveness and unforgettable slogans.
3. Susan Powter: Fitness Rebel of the ’90s
“Stop the insanity!” was her rallying cry. With her buzzed blonde hair and unapologetic energy, Susan Powter took ’90s infomercials by storm. She wasn’t selling just another diet,she was selling herself as a revolution. Her programs were part workout, part life coaching, part feminist manifesto. She was an elusive advocate of whole-foods, organic, low-fat diet, and regular cardiovascular and strength-training exercise.
Her platinum-white close-cropped haircut, aggressive speaking manner, and habit of being barefoot while speaking in public, became trademarks of her celebrity. Viewers either loved her or couldn’t look away. Then, she was gone. Powter left the spotlight and later resurfaced in smaller circles, writing books and giving talks.
4. Tony Little: The Gazelle Guy
That ponytail was as famous as the machine. Tony Little was a walking exclamation mark, an over-the-top fitness guru who became the face of the Gazelle Glider, particularly for products like the Gazelle elliptical machine. He’s a prominent figure in the fitness industry, with a long history of promoting fitness products and programs. His catchphrase “You can do it!” is a hallmark of his approach to fitness and self-improvement.
It also became a TV background noise in millions of homes. For years, it felt like every third channel featured Tony sweating in spandex. He’s also written books on fitness, including “One on One with Tony Little: The Complete 28-Day Body Sculpting And Weight Loss Program. Eventually, Rony leaned into his fame and pivoted into vitamins, wellness coaching, and motivational speaking.
5. Richard Simmons: America’s Workout Buddy
He made sweating feel like a celebration. Richard Simmons wasn’t just a pitchman,he was a movement. His “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” tapes weren’t just exercise videos; they were full-blown parties. With sequined tank tops and an infectious spirit, Simmons made millions feel seen, loved, and encouraged, no matter their size. Also, he was often parodied and was a frequent guest on late-night television and radio talk shows, such as the Late Show with David Letterman and The Howard Stern Show.
Then, one day, The fitness guru Richard Simmons vanished from the public eye in 2014, leading to widespread speculation and the creation of documentaries like “Where’s Richard?”. He hasn’t been seen in public since, despite a few rare public statements and social media updates. Various theories have been proposed for his disappearance, including a knee replacement and its emotional impact.
6. Vince Offer: ShamWow’s Wild Ride
The highs were high,and the lows were messy. You couldn’t watch TV in the late 2000s without hearing, “You’re gonna love my nuts!” Vince Offer, the ShamWow guy, sold super-absorbent clothes with the speed of a carnival barker and the charm of a Vegas dealer. Then, controversy hit. Vince faced legal issues, including a bizarre and publicized arrest, which temporarily halted his career.
Offer and a 26-year-old prostitute were both arrested in Miami Beach, Florida, after a physical altercation. He returned to infomercials later, but the magic had dimmed. His rise and fall was so dramatic that even The magazines noted that Vince became the cautionary tale of fast fame.
7. George Foreman: The Knockout Pitchman
He grilled his way into kitchens. Boxing legend George Foreman made more money selling grills than he ever did in the ring. Over 100 million George Foreman Grills have been sold, making him one of the most successful athlete-endorsers ever. And he reportedly earned over $200 million from the grill endorsement, a sum that vastly exceeded his boxing earningsHis charm was calm, dad-like, and genuinely warm.
Although he did not formally retire from boxing, Foreman stopped fighting and became an ordained minister, initially preaching on street corners before becoming the minister of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Houston and devoting himself to his family and his congregation. He also opened a youth center that bears his name.
8. Jake Steinfeld: The Original Fitness Mogul
Jake Steinfeld was a prominent figure in the home fitness industry, particularly during the 1980s and 1990s. His brand, “Body by Jake,” was known for infomercials and a wide range of products, including fitness equipment and workout videos. He also expanded into meal replacement drinks under the “Don’t Quit” brand in collaboration with Keurig Dr Pepper.
Steinfeld is recognized for his infomercial appearances and his impact on the personal fitness industry. But Jake didn’t vanish, he just got busy off-screen. He built a fitness empire, launched health-focused schools, and even worked with government wellness programs. Quietly, he became a big deal in private wellness circles.
This story 8 Celebrity Infomercial Pitchmen on TV Who Became Bigger Than the Brands, and Then Disappeared was first published on Daily FETCH
