We all recognize those familiar faces that pop up in commercials, pitching everything from insurance to fast food. But what happens when these seemingly wholesome personalities have histories filled with bizarre twists and tragic turns? Here are ten spokespeople with shocking backstories that might surprise you.
Trivago Guy’s DUI Arrest
Tim Williams, the “Trivago Guy,” known for his relatable and slightly disheveled appearance, wasn’t always acting. In April 2019, Houston police found him passed out behind the wheel in the middle of traffic. He was charged with misdemeanor DUI. Fortunately, he maintained his job, cleaning up his image while keeping his signature stubble.
Mike Lindell’s MyPillow and Crack Addiction
Before MyPillow made him a multi-millionaire, Mike Lindell struggled with a severe cocaine addiction. He claims the MyPillow idea came to him “in a dream” in 2004. He lost his house and wife to divorce due to his addiction. Lindell credits a moment when he prayed for the desire to disappear on January 16, 2009, as the start of his sobriety. By 2011, MyPillow gained media attention, growing from 5 employees to 500 by year’s end.
Allstate’s Dean Winters: Near-Death Experience
Dean Winters, known as the havoc-causing “Allstate” guy, nearly died in 2009. He contracted a bacterial infection that led to cardiac arrest due to septic shock. Doctors revived him after he flatlined for approximately four and a half minutes. Following three weeks in the ICU, he developed gangrene, requiring multiple skin grafts, ten operations, and the amputation of half a thumb and two toes. Today, he has fully recovered and appreciates life more than ever.
The Untimely Death of Billy Mays
Billy Mays, the energetic infomercial superstar known for pitching OxiClean, died at age 50 on June 28, 2009. Speculation arose that a head injury he suffered on a US Airways flight the day before contributed to his death. The plane landed hard, causing overhead baggage to strike Mays in the head. He reported not feeling well that evening and was found dead in bed the next morning. He had heart disease and a past cocaine use, which may have contributed to his death.
“ShamWow Guy” and His Altercation
Vince Offer, the “ShamWow Guy,” was known for his “schticky” jokes. But his partying lifestyle came to a sudden halt in 2009 after a 12-hour drinking binge with a prostitute which led to the woman biting Offer’s tongue during a fight. He retaliated, leading to both being arrested for aggravated battery. Offer made a comeback four years later with a new product, the “InVinceable” cleaner and now enjoys only an occasional glass of wine.
The Heart Attack Grill’s Deadly Irony
The Heart Attack Grill in Las Vegas gained notoriety when their spokesman, 52-year-old John Alleman, died of a heart attack. The restaurant is known for its unhealthy dishes, like the “Quadruple Bypass Burger.” Alleman’s face was on menus and commercials. His death followed a patron’s death while eating the “Triple Bypass Burger” a year earlier, and a woman suffering a similar incident two months later. The original HAG in Arizona closed after the death of its 29-year-old spokesman in 2011.
Orville Redenbacher’s Unflattering End
Popcorn icon Orville Redenbacher, met an unflattering end in his Jacuzzi in 1995. Medical examiners initially suspected foul play upon discovering his lifeless body. However, it was determined that the 88-year-old had a heart attack and subsequently drowned. Despite this, Redenbacher remains the leading brand among microwave popcorns.
Colonel Sanders’ Violent Past
Before his KFC success, Colonel Sanders was involved in a deadly shootout in 1932. Sanders confronted Matt Stewart, a rival service station owner, for painting over his advertisements. A gunfight ensued, resulting in the death of one of Sanders’ employees and Sanders wounding Stewart. Sanders was cleared, while Stewart was convicted but later killed in another altercation. Sanders offered condolences and financial support to Stewart’s daughter, Ona Mae, who later managed Sanders’ Café and became a KFC partner.
The Tragic Murder of Judith Barsi
Judith Barsi, a child star who appeared in Jaws: The Revenge and numerous commercials, was murdered by her father, József Barsi, on July 25, 1988. József, in a drunken rage, shot the 10-year-old in the head, then murdered his wife before setting their bodies ablaze and killing himself. The current owners of the home report paranormal activity, believing Judith’s spirit remains.
Jared From Subway’s Heinous Crimes
Jared Fogle, the former Subway spokesman, was revealed to be a sex offender. A raid at his home in 2015 uncovered around 400 child pornography videos. Fogle admitted to paying minors for sex and was sentenced to 15 years in prison and ordered to pay $1.4 million in restitution to 14 victims.
From DUIs and near-death experiences to tragic murders and heinous crimes, these spokespeople prove that fame doesn’t always reflect reality. Their stories remind us that everyone has a past, and sometimes, it’s more shocking than we could ever imagine.
What do you think about these revelations? Leave your comment below!
