Home : R.I.P. : Cleanliness is Next to Godliness -- Mr. Clean Dies

R.I.P.
Cleanliness is Next to Godliness -- Mr. Clean Dies

Posted Oct 2nd 2008 9:20AM by TMZ Staff

Mr. Clean has gone off to that big sanitized house in the sky.

House Peters Jr., the actor that played the original Mr. Clean in TV commercials, died of ammonia pneumonia on Wednesday. He was 92.

In the '50s and '60s, Peters became famous for playing the household cleaning product's bald muscular hoop-earing clad spokesperson. The Castro would never be the same.

Peters is survived by his wife, three adult children and four grandchildren.

Tags: Mr. Clean, Mr.Clean

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31. While you make jokes, this man is someone's family they just lost. Very unclassy TMZ...

Posted at 2:07PM on Oct 2nd 2008 by Not Funny

32. aww. i loved mr clean...=(

Posted at 4:34PM on Oct 2nd 2008 by :(

33. oh i wish he would have had a Life Alert maybe it would or would not have helped.

Posted at 4:04PM on Oct 2nd 2008 by harry

34. First off I'd just like to say that everyone who is bitching needs to just cool off. Yes I understand that someone has died, and it is a very sad situation and my heart goes out to the family, but all they were trying to do (as I have also seen with other RIP's that they do) is inject a little humor into the situation. Humor is good for a mourning family. I agree with one of the previous comments that they family probably would get a good chuckle out of it. And think about Mr. Clean himself. Where ever he is right now, do you think he is saying "Damn you TMZ!!!" No! He is probably laughing it up. The joke was funny, so everyone, get over yourselves.... sheesh...

Posted at 4:19PM on Oct 2nd 2008 by Atomic Penguin

35. i was OBBESSED with him and the commerical when i was a little girl!!

Posted at 7:35PM on Oct 2nd 2008 by Lynese

36. ((( earth to all the H.L. haters))) ok...i get you don't dig the "ammonia" pun...point taken...however...the venom directed toward H.L. is TOXIC and needs to be put in check !!! STOP BEING SUCH TWITS...

Posted at 6:57PM on Oct 2nd 2008 by northern gypsy

37. I heard it was his posture.

Posted at 10:02AM on Oct 3rd 2008 by :-)

38. 92 years old. What a long life. If only all of us could be as fortunate... He was more than just Mr. Clean but that privilege and knowledge is left to those who loved him and will remember him for so much more than one job he did among so many others.

Rest in peace Mr. Peters.

Posted at 12:00AM on Oct 3rd 2008 by Piper

39. Firstly, thank you all for remembering a very distictive and multi-talented man who lived a long and blessed life. TMZ's tribute would have made House Peters not only impressed he was mentioned but he also loved a really, good laugh. He tried very hard to live as long as he could and we are all inspired by his tenaciousness. Please make sure you look up all his acting credits as he was more than just a handsome, bald man advertising a product. The outpour of love, sympathy for our family, and joy he may have brought you, means more to us in this hard time. I think I could say that he would be very surprised and impressed that he made the top news headlines today considering all that is going on in our nation and around the world. We thank you, Harvey Levin, staff and crew for the "big ups".

Posted at 1:03AM on Oct 3rd 2008 by Loving relatives of House Peters Jr.

40. Get a grip people, there is no harm in having some humor when someone dies. I got a laugh from "Mr. Clean has gone off to that big sanitized house in the sky." And those that say they hate this site so much....why do you even bother to come to this site? You obviously dont hate it if you are here reading stories and posting your comments.

Posted at 10:51AM on Oct 3rd 2008 by SugarCookie

41. I knew "Mr. Clean" (in the early '60's before he took the gig for the cleaner) when he entertained hundreds of visitors to Avalon, Catalina off the coast of Southern California. We called him "Duke." He was the official greeter for the City of Avalon and put on a welcoming show twice a day as passengers debarked "the Big White Steamer," As a young teen, I felt great pride when Duke remembered my name every year when I visited for our family vacation. His big smile and sincere personality made everybody feel welcome. RIP Duke from all of the kids you make feel important. BIL GEKAS

Posted at 6:20PM on Oct 3rd 2008 by Bil

42. Wasnt Mr. Ckean married at one time to Shirley Temple, very briefly? May have been another actor that played Mr.Clean, but I could swear I read that someplace......

Posted at 2:46PM on Oct 3rd 2008 by WasntHeOnce

43. A little Funny, It was hilarious, I mean I fell sorry for the guy and his family, but for some reason I can't stop laughing.

Posted at 8:53PM on Oct 4th 2008 by fearmabel

44. Just to set the record straight, House was never married to Shirley Temple and leaves behind, a brother, a sister, two nieces, two great-nieces and one great-nephew and three great-grandchildren. Plus, Duke from Catalina Island is NOT House Peters, Jr.

Posted at 2:40PM on Oct 6th 2008 by Loving relatives of House Peters, Jr.

45. The Duke of Catalina was born Leo Fishman in the Philippines to American parents in 1906. He came to Avalon in 1934 and fell in love with Catalina. He was a lifeguard in Avalon for decades and was noticed by movie producers and had many extra parts in some big movies including the 1934 Mutiny on the Bounty with Clark Gable, Ten Commandments, Spartucus, many TV spots and was the prototype of Mr. Clean. He was good friends with the other "Duke" John Wayne. Duke Wayne was 6'5" and Duke Fishman was 5'6". He died in 1977.

Posted at 5:18PM on Nov 13th 2008 by leem

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