Sy Sperling, the founder of Hair Club for Men, has died at the age of 78 after battling a "lengthy illness." Sperling started the hair restoration company in 1976 and, a few years later, coined the company's famous catchphrase, "I'm not only the Hair Club president, but I'm also a client," in a TV commercial.
He sold the company to a private equity firm in 2000 and split his time between Boca Raton, Florida, and Vancouver, Canada.
Hair Club for Men issued a statement praising their late founder, saying that he "helped hundreds of thousands of people find their confidence, and that legacy lives on today."
"Colleagues, friends, and family recall Mr. Sperling as a visionary with an immense passion for business, innovation, and helping others," the statement said. "We continue to live by his words 'Live life to the fullest, take chances and risks, and believe in yourself.'"
He is survived by his wife, Susan, daughter, Shari Sperling, son, Andrew Sperling, and sister, Rosalie Slute.