I've been in Tampa all week for AOII convention and just read this as I'm sitting in the Tampa airport! I hadn't heard anything about this!

According to a news report I heard, Billy Mays told his wife that he didn't feel well before he went to bed Saturday evening. I wonder if this might be the same kind of thing that happened to Natasha Richardson a few months ago - a blow to the head that seemed harmless at first but later proved fatal.

I have a sneaking suspicion that US Airways had better lawyer up, and fast.

Yeah, I heard the airline incident briefly mentioned on a commercial for the news... but that's really it.

But whatever. We're had our share of airline incidents, right? More about puppies.

Again, SERIOUSLY???? It's sad that the man's dead of course, but considering that many people turned the channel as soon as he came on their TV, I don't see how he could be considered an "icon."

From the article on Yahoo he has a 3 year old daughter and a stepson.

I was shocked to find out he passed, didn't expect it when I saw his name attached to an article today. Poor Billy :(

I heard about that yesterday afternoon. If this turns out to be true, then I wouldnt be suprised. Many head injuries such as this are deemed minor, thus are never checked out, and then people seemingly suddenly wind up dead because the damage/effects are not immediate. Always check out a head injury.

I think he is regarding tv commercials. Does anyone not know who he is? Or not seen atleast three or more of his commercials? I think for our current time period those will always be remembered like the "time to make the donuts" guy in the dunkin donuts commercials in the 80's.

Haha, wow, you're pretty fired up about this. I see your point, although I'd stretch it a bit more and say that the only ones who passed away who were "icons" were Ed McMahon and Michael Jackson (while Farrah was famous, I wouldn't consider her an "icon").

Still though, Billy Mays was really famous, though I don't think anyone is equating his fame with that of Michael Jackson or Farrah Fawcett.

That's because you weren't an adolescent boy when "Charlie's Angels" was on TV. ;)

If there is anything at all iconic for those of us who were, it's this:

http://photos.ecanadanow.com/farrah-...nal-Cancer.jpg

Haha, point taken - I'm not necessarily disputing her fame or notoriety...but I think if we're going to differentiate between "famous" and "icon," then that's a different story.

Exactly. I keep thinking about Natasha Richardson...

Though the final result isn't known , it looks like Billy Mays died of heart disease, not any injury to the brain.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/0...ath/index.html

June, please go away! fred travalena also passed away. What a crapy month for all of us fans.

I think that Billy Mays was an icon - he wasn't as famous as Michael Jackson or Farrah Fawcett, or even Ed McMahon, but everyone knew who he was.. kind of like the "Maytag Repairman" of the "As Seen on TV" world.

I was very sad when I heard that Billy Mays died. I do watch Pitchmen, so it makes it even sadder. Its been cool to see him all around the Tampa Bay area. They would go down a street or be some where and you would know right where they are. On the show, he flies in a private plane, so I thought it was odd when I heard it was a regular airliner...

I have been in Orlando all weekend, and this is the first I have heard of a plane issue at TIA. I am not sure if it made the news....One would think it would. I will have to check Tivo from this weekend!