Mike Levey

Michael Stephen Levey (May 28, 1948 – August 2, 2003) was an American infomercial host. He was best known for hosting Amazing Discoveries, a series of infomercials that aired on late night television from 1989 to 1997.

Mike Levey
Levey on Amazing Discoveries
Born
Michael Stephen Levey

(1948-05-28)May 28, 1948
DiedAugust 2, 2003(2003-08-02) (aged 55)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting placeMount Sinai Memorial Park
OccupationInfomercial host
Known forHosting Amazing Discoveries
Children3

Career

A former electrical engineer and copy writer for mail advertisements,[1] Levey started Dial-A-Joke line in the 1970s called The Mainline in Los Angeles.[2] In 1988, Levey and two partners founded Positive Response Television, a company that produced infomercials.[1]

Levey rose to fame as the host of Amazing Discoveries, a series of episodic infomercials that began airing in 1989.[3] Amazing Discoveries consisted of over 100 episodes and aired in more than 60 countries in 12 languages. His onscreen persona as the enthusiastic "Sweater Man" was often parodied in films like The Cat in the Hat and on the comedy sketch series MADtv. Levey also appeared as himself on episodes of Sliders, Friends, and The Weird Al Show.

At the height of his fame, Levey received 500 fan letters a week and was dubbed "the most viewed person on television".[4] The success of the Amazing Discoveries infomercials also led to a spin-off infomercial series titled Ask Mike.[5] Levey's company, Positive Response Television, was bought by National Media in 1997. Amazing Discoveries aired its final episode the following year.[3]

Death

On August 2, 2003, Levey died from cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.[3][6] His private memorial was held on August 6 at Mount Sinai Memorial Park.[7] He was survived by his wife Lisa Levey and their three children.[8]

References
  1. Carvell, Tim (May 26, 1997). "A Star Is Born In the Wee Hours Mike Levey: King Of the Infomercial, Heartthrob of the World". cnn.com. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  2. "Dial-a-Joke: Mainline". dialajoke.us.
  3. Hovanyetz, Scott (August 6, 2003). "'Amazing Discoveries' Infomercial Host Dies". dmnews.com. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  4. de Boer, Roberta (November 1, 1992). "Mike Levey, TV's most-watched person". Toledo Blade. pp. G–2. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  5. Eichenwald, Kurt (1995-06-25). "INVESTING IT: STREET SMARTS; This Stock May Need an Infomercial". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
  6. "Industry legend Mike Levey dies". highbeam.com. September 1, 2003. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  7. "Amazing Discoveries Host Dies". chiefmarketer.com. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  8. "'Amazing Discoveries' Infomercial Host Dies". DMNews.com. 6 August 2003. Retrieved 2019-02-03.


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