Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Lynn "The Empire Carpet Man" Hauldren Dies At 89
By
Garth Johnston
Published Apr 27, 2011
Modified Apr 27, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published Apr 27, 2011
Modified Apr 27, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Our siblings in Chicago today bring sad news for fans of television jingles the world over. Elmer Lynn Hauldren, known to many as the "Empire Man" or the "Empire Carpet Guy," has passed on at the age of 89. A Chicaoland legend, the copywriter-turned-pitchman is a familiar face to anyone who has watched non-primetime television commercials in the past few decades. If anything, you probably know the jingle, which Hauldren wrote himself!
See, Hauldren wasn't supposed to be the Empire Carpet Guy, but legend has it that one fateful day in 1973 he happened to be on set when they were filming a commercial and something clicked. He just was the spokesperson role he'd created. Since then the character has been the subject of countless commercials, and has been animated and 3-D animated. Heck, there is even an Empire Man bobble-head toy.
And being an advertising icon wasn't all Hauldren was good for. He was also a decorated war hero and a baritone barbershop singer in the group Chordiac Arrest.
Mr. Hauldren, we salute you! And now, all together now: "eight-hundred five-eight-eight two-three-hundred—Empire!"
Tagged
advertising
elmber lynn hauldren
empire carpets
spokespeople
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors
Neighbors had complained of traffic and loud concerts for years.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 22, 2026 at 2:49 p.m. ET
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
News
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
NYPD arrests 17-year-old in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Charles Lane
Ex-Adams aide accused of pocketing kickbacks from community program funds
By
Samantha Max
MTA to begin 6-year project to upgrade signal tech on A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .