Barry Becher, of Ginsu knives fame, dies at 71

Barry Becher, of Ginsu knives fame, dies at 71

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The infomercial pioneer who was half of the duo that brought Ginsu knives to the American public has died in Florida.

Barry Becher and business partner Ed Valenti created countless television campaigns, but they’re forever linked with Ginsu. The exotic-sounding knives seemingly cut through anything and mesmerized audiences in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Becher and Valenti looked for unique products, rechristened them and brought them to the airwaves in extended commercials that made them hard to resist. The duo also was behind Armourcote Cookware, the Miracle Slicer, Lusterware Silverware and Royal DuraSteel mixing bowls.

Becher was 71 when he died Friday in Deerfield Beach, Fla. His stepdaughter says he was suffering from kidney cancer and died of complications from surgery.