TV’S TOP PITCH MAN DEAD AT 50

The man who was world famous as television’s most well-known pitch man has died, the latest in an unusual number of prominent individuals who passed away in the last week.

Known for his booming voice and energized advertisements, 50-year-old Billy Mays was found unresponsive at his Tampa, Fla. home early Sunday morning by his wife. He was later pronounced dead.

“Although Billy lived a public life, we don’t anticipate making any public statements over the next couple of days. Our family asks that you respect our privacy during these difficult times,” Mays wife, Deborah, said in a statement on Sunday.

Police said there were no signs of a break in or foul play and that an autopsy would be performed Monday afternoon.

Mays was so popular for his commercials and infomercials promoting household products and gadgets that companies would drop six-figures so he could say “Billy Mays here” for their product.

And Mays was set to star in the reality TV show “Pitchmen” on the Discovery Channel alongside fellow marketing guru Anthony Sullivan.

Preceding Mays during this week of high-profile deaths were Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon. South Carolinians also lost Warren Abernathy, a close aide to Sen. Strom Thurmond, and Jennifer Evans, one of the state’s top prosecutors.

Photo: AP