1. Ron Popeil Set It And Forget It
Sometimes a familiar voice from late night TV suddenly comes to mind and you wonder what they are doing today. Ron Popeil is one of those names that feels like a classic commercial jingle you never meant to memorize. Known for his catchphrase Set it and forget it, he built a legacy of kitchen gadgets that made everyday cooking look effortless. He retired after selling his company and lived quietly until his passing, leaving behind products that still sit on shelves and online stores. His success shows how simple ideas can create memories that stay longer than the pitch.
2. Billy Mays The Loud Clean King
Billy Mays had a voice that felt like coffee before sunrise, waking you up whether you asked for it or not. His energetic style made cleaning supplies like OxiClean look like hidden treasures that could solve almost any mess. Even though he passed away years ago, his enthusiastic tone still echoes anytime people see a sponge that promises miracles. Billy represented how simplicity can be exciting when delivered with confidence. His life reminds us that impact is not measured by how long someone stays on screen but by how easily their words continue to live in everyday conversations.
3. Tony Little You Can Do It Fitness Spirit
Tony Little looked like someone who genuinely believed in every jump, stretch and swing of the workout gear he sold. His famous You can do it tagline sounded less like a sales pitch and more like a friendly push from a gym buddy who refuses to give up on you. Known for his ponytail and upbeat personality, Tony became a recognizable symbol of home fitness. He continues promoting wellness and his products quietly find new consumers every year. His journey shows how a message of encouragement can outgrow its commercial roots and become a lifestyle people still trust.
4. Susan Powter Stop The Insanity
Susan Powter shouted Stop the insanity with such urgency that it felt like she was saving the world from bad decisions and unhealthy habits. She turned fitness into something emotional, where eating better and moving your body seemed like an act of personal freedom. Even as her public presence changed over the years, her bold approach still lives in the way modern fitness coaches speak with passion. Susan reminds us that influence is not always about staying visible. Sometimes a loud message plants a quiet seed that keeps growing long after the spotlight has shifted to someone else.
5. Richard Simmons Sweatin To Happiness
Richard Simmons was more than workouts and bright shorts. His energy always felt like a celebration, as if exercising was not a chore but a dance party filled with laughter and oldies music. His friendly voice and playful style made everyday people feel welcome instead of judged. Though he now lives a private life, his upbeat legacy continues through stories, videos and the way fitness instructors build community today. Richard showed that fitness does not need perfection, only joy. His quiet lifestyle now feels like a reminder that even the happiest entertainers deserve peace away from the camera.
6. Vince Offer The ShamWow Spirit
Vince Offer turned a simple towel into a sensation and somehow convinced viewers that a piece of fabric could practically solve household problems. His quirky humor made infomercials feel more like comedy skits than sales pitches. Products like ShamWow and Slap Chop found their way into pop culture and casual jokes because people remembered his unusual delivery style. Vince may not dominate television anymore, but his influence helped reshape how products are marketed with personality. His story shows that creativity and humor can make everyday objects feel special and that entertainment can sell just as effectively as information.
7. Kevin Trudeau Big Claims Bigger Lessons
Kevin Trudeau captured attention with bold promises that made people feel like life changing solutions were just a phone call away. His infomercials convinced many viewers that secrets and shortcuts existed for everything from dieting to finances. With time, those exaggerated claims led to consequences that shifted his career dramatically. Kevin’s story serves as a quiet reminder to be thoughtful when something sounds too perfect. His rise and fall show how powerful persuasion can be and why trust is important in advertising. Some lessons stay with us not because they succeed but because they teach caution in the long run.
8. Cherie Calbom The Juicing Advocate
Cherie Calbom became known for showing how fruits and vegetables could transform into vibrant drinks that promised better health. She spoke with a calm kind of certainty, making juicing seem refreshing both for the body and the lifestyle behind it. Her message encouraged people to see food as healing and inspired a growing movement of wellness enthusiasts. She continues promoting nutrition with books and speaking engagements. Cherie proves that some infomercial personalities do more than sell products. They introduce habits that can change routines long after the commercials stop running and the blender commercials fade into memory.
9. Ray Lindstrom Pioneer Of The Pitch
Ray Lindstrom is often remembered as a pioneer who helped shape the very idea of long form commercials. He created ways to sell products through storytelling rather than quick flashy ads, turning infomercials into a persuasive art. Instead of becoming a celebrity for one product, he influenced how many others managed to reach large audiences. Although his name is not always as recognizable as the faces on screen, his ideas continue to guide sales strategies today. Ray’s legacy proves that sometimes the most impactful figures are the ones behind the scenes, building systems others eventually become famous for using.
10. Victoria Jackson Beauty With A Purpose
Victoria Jackson turned makeup into a friendly promise of confidence instead of a complicated beauty standard. Her infomercials made cosmetics feel approachable by highlighting natural looks over dramatic transformation. She later stepped back from the spotlight to focus on personal family advocacy, showing a meaningful shift from business to purpose. Eventually she found her way back into beauty conversations with renewed intention. Victoria’s journey demonstrates how personal values can redirect even the most successful careers. She reminds us that product success is great, but using that success to uplift real life needs carries an even deeper impact.
11. Suzanne Paul New Zealand’s Infomercial Queen
Suzanne Paul brought personality and charm to beauty products on New Zealand television, earning recognition as the queen of infomercials across the country. Her bubbly tone made every cream, brush or gadget feel like a fun discovery shared among friends. Over time she expanded into media work, proving her appeal was not limited to product promotion. Suzanne’s story shows how authentic presence can open doors beyond commercials, allowing someone to evolve without losing their original spark. She remains an example of how personality driven marketing can lead to memorable opportunities that continue shaping a career long after the ads stop.
12. Jack Lalanne Fitness Before It Was Cool
Jack Lalanne inspired home fitness long before it became a flashy industry full of celebrity endorsements. With genuine enthusiasm, he encouraged people to stay active and treat wellness as a lifelong commitment. His influence helped introduce exercise equipment and simple routines that eventually paved the way for televised fitness promotions and home workout products. Even though he is no longer here, his message continues wherever fitness feels welcoming and practical. His journey quietly closes the loop on how infomercials became more than sales. They became lessons in lifestyle, and his legacy shows how values can outlast marketing.
This story 12 Infomercial Legends, Where They Are Now was first published on Daily FETCH
