When I think back to the golden age of infomercials, it’s impossible not to be struck by the incredible array of products that captivated audiences and became household names. As someone who had the privilege of being deeply involved in this unique form of advertising, I watched firsthand as these ingenious inventions, paired with the right pitch, transformed late-night television into a showcase of innovation and entertainment.
From the energy and enthusiasm of the pitchmen to the unforgettable taglines, these products weren’t just sold—they were ingrained into our culture. This post takes a deep dive into some of the most iconic infomercial products that defined an era, showing how they made their mark on both television and consumers’ lives.
Here is a list of some of the most iconic and well-known infomercial products, along with details such as the year of release, revenue, airtime, and host or pitchman where available.
1. The Clapper
- Year: 1986
- Revenue: Over $10 million
- Airtime: Primarily late-night TV and cable channels
- Host/Pitchman: Voiceover, no specific host
2. ThighMaster
- Year: 1990
- Revenue: Over $100 million
- Airtime: Daytime and late-night TV
- Host/Pitchman: Suzanne Somers
3. Ginsu Knives
- Year: 1978
- Revenue: Over $500 million
- Airtime: Late-night TV
- Host/Pitchman: Ed Valenti and Barry Becher (the voices behind the iconic ads)
4. George Foreman Grill
- Year: 1994
- Revenue: Over $200 million in the first few years
- Airtime: Daytime and late-night TV
- Host/Pitchman: George Foreman
5. OxiClean
- Year: 1999
- Revenue: Over $300 million annually at its peak
- Airtime: Daytime and late-night TV
- Host/Pitchman: Billy Mays
6. Snuggie
- Year: 2008
- Revenue: Over $500 million
- Airtime: Primarily late-night TV
- Host/Pitchman: Various actors; no single pitchman
7. ShamWow
- Year: 2007
- Revenue: Over $100 million
- Airtime: Daytime and late-night TV
- Host/Pitchman: Vince Offer
8. Bowflex
- Year: 1993
- Revenue: Over $2 billion
- Airtime: Daytime and late-night TV
- Host/Pitchman: Various actors and fitness experts
9. Proactiv
- Year: 1995
- Revenue: Over $1 billion annually
- Airtime: Daytime and late-night TV
- Host/Pitchman: Various celebrities, including Jessica Simpson and Adam Levine
10. Magic Bullet
- Year: 2003
- Revenue: Over $200 million
- Airtime: Daytime and late-night TV
- Host/Pitchman: Mick Hastie and Mimi Umidon
11. Total Gym
- Year: 1996
- Revenue: Over $1 billion
- Airtime: Daytime and late-night TV
- Host/Pitchman: Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley
12. Slap Chop
- Year: 2008
- Revenue: Over $20 million
- Airtime: Late-night TV
- Host/Pitchman: Vince Offer
13. PedEgg
- Year: 2007
- Revenue: Over $450 million
- Airtime: Daytime and late-night TV
- Host/Pitchman: Various actors; no single pitchman
14. Flex Tape
- Year: 2017
- Revenue: Over $100 million
- Airtime: Daytime and late-night TV
- Host/Pitchman: Phil Swift
15. The Juiceman Juicer
- Year: 1991
- Revenue: Over $100 million in the early 1990s
- Airtime: Daytime and late-night TV
- Host/Pitchman: Jay Kordich
16. Hair Club for Men
- Year: 1982
- Revenue: Over $100 million
- Airtime: Daytime and late-night TV
- Host/Pitchman: Sy Sperling
17. P90X
- Year: 2004
- Revenue: Over $500 million
- Airtime: Daytime and late-night TV
- Host/Pitchman: Tony Horton
18. Ronco Rotisserie
- Year: 1998
- Revenue: Over $1 billion
- Airtime: Daytime and late-night TV
- Host/Pitchman: Ron Popeil
19. Chia Pet
- Year: 1981
- Revenue: Over $15 million annually
- Airtime: Daytime and late-night TV
- Host/Pitchman: Voiceover, no specific host
20. Bowflex TreadClimber
- Year: 2003
- Revenue: Over $1 billion
- Airtime: Daytime and late-night TV
- Host/Pitchman: Various actors and fitness experts
21. Rotato Express
- Year: 2003
- Revenue: Over $30 million
- Airtime: Late-night TV
- Host/Pitchman: Various actors; no single pitchman
22. Suzanne Somers’ ThighMaster
- Year: 1990
- Revenue: Over $100 million
- Airtime: Daytime and late-night TV
- Host/Pitchman: Suzanne Somers
23. Tony Little’s Gazelle
- Year: 1999
- Revenue: Over $200 million
- Airtime: Daytime and late-night TV
- Host/Pitchman: Tony Little
24. Stompeez
- Year: 2012
- Revenue: Over $20 million
- Airtime: Daytime and late-night TV
- Host/Pitchman: Various actors; no single pitchman
25. Flowbee
- Year: 1988
- Revenue: Over $10 million
- Airtime: Late-night TV
- Host/Pitchman: Voiceover, no specific host
This list highlights some of the most successful and memorable infomercial products, including their year of introduction, revenue, airtime, and the host or pitchman associated with them. There are many more products out there, but this should give you a good starting point for understanding the impact and reach of infomercials in popular culture.
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