I don't think anyone whose primary fame comes from TV commercials merits the title of "icon." That includes Billy Mays, time to make the donuts guy, Clara Peller, Mr. Whipple and Betty Furness.

What about Ron Popeil?

I must need to watch more TV. I have to go google Clara Peller, Betty Furness and Ron Popeil. Although, maybe I'll recognize their pictures (but their names sure don't ring any bells).

ETA: Oh! "Where's The Beef?"; Westinghouse? (I still don't recognize her); and the Chop/Veg/Dial-O-Matic guy
I feel better now.

Maybe it depends on what you mean when you say "icon." Because although I wouldn't consider Billy Mays a celebrity or an icon like McMahon or even Jackson, I would say he was a Infomercial "icon." You didn't even have to know his name to know who he was....just a couple words "the OxiClean guy" and the lightbulb goes off in people's heads and they automatically know who.

Just like if you hear the words "set it......and forget it" you'd probably think of Ron Popeil and his products.

TAMPA, Fla. – An autopsy report shows that cocaine use contributed to the heart disease that suddenly killed TV pitchman Billy Mays in June, officials announced Friday.

The Hillsborough County medical examiner's office previously determined that the bearded, boisterous TV spokesman had a heart attack in his sleep. His wife found him unresponsive in bed in their Tampa condo June 28.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090807/.../us_billy_mays

Oh wow. That's just crazy. I would have never pictured him as a drug user.

IDK...how boisterous he was on TV, I'd peg him for a drug user, maybe speed or something.

holy moly.

I feel really bad b/c I laughed a little... But Cocaine + Billy Mays = not a shock.