By Liz Kelly Nelson
April 27, 2011 7:00 PM ET
Although he appeared only as an animation in the past few years worth
of ads, Elmer Lynn Hauldren is probably the most famous carpet
pitchman of all time. On Wednesday (April 27), the company announced
that Hauldren is dead at 89.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Hauldren began appearing in Empire
ads in the 1970s. Prior to becoming a pitchman, he had been a
copywriter at the agency with the Empire account. No doubt, it was all
very "Mad Men." Hauldren never looked back, though, appearing -- or
doing voice-over work -- in every Empire ad since.
Anyone who has watched TV in the past few decades will fondly
recognize the ear-worm that is Empire's signature jingle:
"800-588-2300, Empire! Today."
A decorated World War II veteran, Hauldren also recorded several
albums with his barbershop quartet, Chordiac Arrest.
RIP.
Circa 1986:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRhGVo_dwkk
And a more recent animated version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7wNaxfBjE4
http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2011/04/empire-carpet-spokesman-elmer-lynn-hauldren-dead-at-89.html
> Empire Carpet spokesman Elmer Lynn Hauldren dead at 89
>
I heard rumors that he wore a rug.
> On Apr 27, 5:17 pm, edonline <edonl...@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> Empire Carpet spokesman Elmer Lynn Hauldren dead at 89
>>
>
> I heard rumors that he wore a rug.
>
Your sense of humor just floors me.
Big J
-----
But then, just about anyone can do that!
Razzle--------saddle up boys, it's time to ride.
Always in the mood for a good shag!
Big J
-----
>
> Always in the mood for a good shag!
Please, please...no Astro Turf jokes!
"E. Hauldren, dead at eight-nine, Hauldrennn."