25 people who are only famous in Tampa Bay

A lot of these names we've all grown up with. We know them from television, radio and sometimes from a massive billboard. These are the people who are Tampa Bay famous.

Scroll down to view images
Steve Weintraub
Steve and Julie Weintraub, owners of the Gold & Diamond Source, have appeared in hundreds of T.V. advertisements. 
Photo via Gold & Diamond Source’s Facebook

Steve Weintraub

Steve and Julie Weintraub, owners of the Gold & Diamond Source, have appeared in hundreds of T.V. advertisements.

Photo via Gold & Diamond Source’s Facebook
Tom Stimus
Back in the ‘80s, Tom Stimus and wrestler Dusty Rhodes used to shout about Stimus’ Auto Dealerships’ deals and crown Stimus as “#1 in the world.” Once, when Dusty "The American Dream" Rhodes wasn’t available, Stimus used a real bear. 
Photo via YouTube

Tom Stimus

Back in the ‘80s, Tom Stimus and wrestler Dusty Rhodes used to shout about Stimus’ Auto Dealerships’ deals and crown Stimus as “#1 in the world.” Once, when Dusty "The American Dream" Rhodes wasn’t available, Stimus used a real bear.

Photo via YouTube
Weather Tite Mike
Some commercials try to sell you something by explaining how great a service or product is. Some commercials use customer testimonials. Weather Tite Mike just asks you to bring him cookies.
Photo via YouTube

Weather Tite Mike

Some commercials try to sell you something by explaining how great a service or product is. Some commercials use customer testimonials. Weather Tite Mike just asks you to bring him cookies.

Photo via YouTube
Chip Carter
Carter was a sports anchor on WTVT for 31 years. His last broadcast was on Feb. 26, 2016.
Photo via Fox 13

Chip Carter

Carter was a sports anchor on WTVT for 31 years. His last broadcast was on Feb. 26, 2016.

Photo via Fox 13
Sam Behr
Back in the ‘80s, Allied Discount Tires spokesman Sam Behr told audience members about how difficult it is to sell tires. The struggle was so real, he once stared in a commercial explaining that he had to sell 80,000 tires or he would die.
Photo via YouTube

Sam Behr

Back in the ‘80s, Allied Discount Tires spokesman Sam Behr told audience members about how difficult it is to sell tires. The struggle was so real, he once stared in a commercial explaining that he had to sell 80,000 tires or he would die.

Photo via YouTube
Sterling Powell
Sterling Powell, is the balding, overly-energetic clown who used to pop up in the Treasure Island Fun Center commercials. The arcade, which is actually in Seminole, is still in operation.
Photo via YouTube

Sterling Powell

Sterling Powell, is the balding, overly-energetic clown who used to pop up in the Treasure Island Fun Center commercials. The arcade, which is actually in Seminole, is still in operation.

Photo via YouTube
Dr. Credit
You might not trust him to conduct surgery, but the doctor who wears snorkeling goggles sure knows how to sell a car. The costumed salesman works for the Florida Auto Exchange in Dunedin.
Photo via YouTube

Dr. Credit

You might not trust him to conduct surgery, but the doctor who wears snorkeling goggles sure knows how to sell a car. The costumed salesman works for the Florida Auto Exchange in Dunedin.

Photo via YouTube
The Hatchetmen
Back in the ‘80s, Bay City Cabinets commercials featured the three “hatchetmen” shouting about deals, waving their hands over their knees and laughing in unison. Although decades have passed since the company aired their first commercial, a brief advertisement from Bay City Cabinets that was posted on Facebookroughly a year ago shows the hatchetmen know not to mess with success.
Photo via YouTube

The Hatchetmen


Back in the ‘80s, Bay City Cabinets commercials featured the three “hatchetmen” shouting about deals, waving their hands over their knees and laughing in unison. Although decades have passed since the company aired their first commercial, a brief advertisement from Bay City Cabinets that was posted on Facebookroughly a year ago shows the hatchetmen know not to mess with success.

Photo via YouTube
Bubba The Love Sponge
You might know Bubba as an “off the rails” radio host who has a $1 premium website. You also might recognize him as the guy who got cucked by Hulk Hogan.
Photo via Bubba The Love Sponge Show’s Instagram

Bubba The Love Sponge

You might know Bubba as an “off the rails” radio host who has a $1 premium website. You also might recognize him as the guy who got cucked by Hulk Hogan.

Photo via Bubba The Love Sponge Show’s Instagram
Bob Buckhorn
Tampa’s 58th mayor served the city for eight years. He’s still active on social media.
Photo via Bob Buckhorn’s Twitter

Bob Buckhorn

Tampa’s 58th mayor served the city for eight years. He’s still active on social media.

Photo via Bob Buckhorn’s Twitter
Denis Phillips
Also known as “the suspenders guy,” Denis Phillips has been a trusted Tampa Bay meteorologist since 1994. Back in 2012, during Hurricane Isaac, he came up with a list of rules; the main rule being “Stop freaking out....until I tell you to. We're fine.”
Photo via Denis Phillips’ Facebook

Denis Phillips

Also known as “the suspenders guy,” Denis Phillips has been a trusted Tampa Bay meteorologist since 1994. Back in 2012, during Hurricane Isaac, he came up with a list of rules; the main rule being “Stop freaking out....until I tell you to. We're fine.”

Photo via Denis Phillips’ Facebook
Connor Obrochta
Obrochta was a contestant on the 14th season of “The Bachelorette.” He was also on the fifth season of “Bachelor in Paradise.” Before he was breaking hearts on T.V., though, Obrochta played baseball at St. Petersburg Catholic high school and the University of Tampa.
Photo via Connor Obrochta’s Facebook

Connor Obrochta

Obrochta was a contestant on the 14th season of “The Bachelorette.” He was also on the fifth season of “Bachelor in Paradise.” Before he was breaking hearts on T.V., though, Obrochta played baseball at St. Petersburg Catholic high school and the University of Tampa.

Photo via Connor Obrochta’s Facebook
Culpepper Kurland
The lawyer bros like to star in dramatic commercials that feel more like an opening scene to the show “Suits” than a portrayal of auto accident lawyers.
Photo via YouTube

Culpepper Kurland

The lawyer bros like to star in dramatic commercials that feel more like an opening scene to the show “Suits” than a portrayal of auto accident lawyers.

Photo via YouTube
Dr. Gary Kompothecras
You probably know him for his doctor and lawyer referral service, 1-800-ASK-GARY. He’s also an executive producer for MTV’s “Siesta Key,” in which his son Alex plays a key role.
Photo via Dr. Gary Kompothecras’ Twitter

Dr. Gary Kompothecras

You probably know him for his doctor and lawyer referral service, 1-800-ASK-GARY. He’s also an executive producer for MTV’s “Siesta Key,” in which his son Alex plays a key role.

Photo via Dr. Gary Kompothecras’ Twitter
Billy Fuccillo
You know the radio advertisements that tell you about “HUGE” promotional events at Kia dealerships? Well, that’s this guy. 
Photo via Fuccillo Kia of Cape Coral’s website

Billy Fuccillo

You know the radio advertisements that tell you about “HUGE” promotional events at Kia dealerships? Well, that’s this guy.

Photo via Fuccillo Kia of Cape Coral’s website
Miguel Fuller
He’s the Miguel from Miguel and Holly Mornings on Hot 101.5. In case you don’t listen to 101.5, Fuller is an openly gay radio host who uses his platform to support LGBTQ+ causes.
Photo via Miguel Fuller’s Facebook

Miguel Fuller

He’s the Miguel from Miguel and Holly Mornings on Hot 101.5. In case you don’t listen to 101.5, Fuller is an openly gay radio host who uses his platform to support LGBTQ+ causes.

Photo via Miguel Fuller’s Facebook
Alicia McCall
You might recognize her as The Girl With The Whisk Tattoo. The baker has made appearances on Datz’s instagram as the local chain’s executive pastry chef, competed on the Netflix series “Sugar Rush” and hosted MTV’s mini-series “Meme Cakes.”
Photo via The Girl With The Whisk Tattoo Facebook

Alicia McCall

You might recognize her as The Girl With The Whisk Tattoo. The baker has made appearances on Datz’s instagram as the local chain’s executive pastry chef, competed on the Netflix series “Sugar Rush” and hosted MTV’s mini-series “Meme Cakes.”

Photo via The Girl With The Whisk Tattoo Facebook
Fran Haasch
You’ve definitely seen Haasch’s billboards before. She’s normally pictured wearing red and posing with a motorcycle. 
Photo via The Fran Haasch Law Group’s website

Fran Haasch

You’ve definitely seen Haasch’s billboards before. She’s normally pictured wearing red and posing with a motorcycle.

Photo via The Fran Haasch Law Group’s website
John Morgan
You can probably hear this photo. If you’ve never seen this man’s face, or you don’t know the catchphrase “Morgan & Morgan, for the people,” then you’ve never been to Central Florida.
Photo via John Morgan’s Facebook

John Morgan

You can probably hear this photo. If you’ve never seen this man’s face, or you don’t know the catchphrase “Morgan & Morgan, for the people,” then you’ve never been to Central Florida.

Photo via John Morgan’s Facebook
Orlando & The Freakshow
You know the radio station WiLD 94.1?  Well Orlando and his crew run the show from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on weekdays. According to 94.1’s website, Orlando’s heros include Hugh Hefner, James Lipton, and Muhammad Ali.
Photo via WiLD 94.1’s website

Orlando & The Freakshow

You know the radio station WiLD 94.1? Well Orlando and his crew run the show from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on weekdays. According to 94.1’s website, Orlando’s heros include Hugh Hefner, James Lipton, and Muhammad Ali.

Photo via WiLD 94.1’s website
Page 1 of 2

Join the Creative Loafing Tampa Bay Press Club

At a time when local-based reporting is critical, support from our readers is essential to our future.