If you watched Shark Tank anytime during the first two seasons, then you are probably familiar with Kevin Harrington. He was one of the original panel members of the show and helped entrepreneurs take their ideas and turn them into million dollar products.
However, Kevin is no longer a part of Shark Tank. With that said, let’s learn more about who Kevin Harrington is.
Who Is Kevin Harrington?
Kevin Harrington is an American entrepreneur and business executive. He is best known for his role on Shark Tank, where he was a judge during the first and second seasons.
Harrington has an extensive background in the direct response television industry. He is the founder of As Seen On TV, Inc. and was the chairman of HSN, Inc. (formerly known as the Home Shopping Network).
His Early Life
Harrington was born in Ohio on October 15, 1956. He was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio.
At the age of 15, Kevin started his first business when he started sealing driveways. He eventually moved on to selling high-end baby high chairs. By the time Kevin was in college, he already had a multi-million dollar business going.
Kevin’s Business Career
Before he got into products and television, Kevin sold franchises and created small business centers for entrepreneurs. When watching late-night infomercials, he realized he could further enhance how products were sold in this format.
Products
During his career, Kevin has launched as many as 500 products.
Some of these products include:
- Ginsu knife
- The Pocket Hose
- George Foreman Grill
- The Food Saver
- The Flying Lure
The Ginsu Knife is one of the most iconic products that Harrington has been associated with. It was first introduced on infomercials in 1978 and became one of the most popular products of the 1980s.
The Pocket Hose was another one of Harrington’s successes. It is a compact and expandable hose that was introduced in 2013.
The George Foreman Grill is a popular countertop grill that was first introduced in 1994. It has since sold over 100 million units. The grill’s popularity is largely due to its ability to cook food quickly and evenly.
The Food Saver is a food preservation system that was introduced in 1996. It uses vacuum sealing to extend the shelf life of food.
The Flying Lure is a fishing lure that was introduced in 2014. It is designed to float and spin in the water, making it look like a live insect.
His products have generated over $5 billion in global sales. In addition to his work on Shark Tank, Harrington is also an investor and advisor for StartUp Labs. He is also a motivational speaker and author.
Infomercials
In 1985, he produced his first 30-minute infomercial. The infomercial was for a Ginsu knife set. While infomercials had been around beforehand, Kevin made a difference by making them more entertaining and adding a call-to-action at the end.
His work in infomercials led to him being named the “Infomercial King” by Forbes magazine.
Television
Kevin has appeared on numerous television shows over the years. In addition to Shark Tank, he has also been a panelist on The Doctors, Good Morning America, and The View. He has also made guest appearances on The Tonight Show, Saturday Night Live, and The Today Show.
The Shark Tank Star’s Career
Kevin shot over 175 segments of Shark Tank. Some of his standout investments from the show include Scrub Daddy, The Mat, and The Spatty.
Kevin The Author
In addition to being on television, Kevin is also an author. He has written several books, including Act Now: How I Turn Ideas into Million-Dollar Products, Secrets of Closing the Sale, and Finding My Faith.
Kevin’s Personal Life
Today, Kevin is married to Crystal Harrington. The couple has three children together. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing and skiing.
Kevin Harrington’s Net Worth
His business acumen has seen his net worth grow to an estimated $450 million. Kevin made most of his fortune through his investments and product launches. He is also a venture capitalist and has made money from his Shark Tank deals.
Why did Kevin Harrington leave Shark Tank?
Some reports state that Kevin left due to health-related issues, while others say it was for business reasons.
The answer may be a combination of both. In 2015, Kevin underwent open heart surgery to replace a valve. The surgery was successful, but it’s possible that his health played a role in his decision to leave Shark Tank.
Other reports state that the showrunners wanted to replace Kevin with a younger, more diverse cast. This would explain why he was only on the first two seasons of the show. Apparently, the producers were not pleased that he was less willing to fund young entrepreneurs compared to other sharks on the show. The show quickly found Mark Cuban to replace Kevin after he left.
Harrington has said that he enjoyed his time on the show and that it was a great experience. However, he feels that he is better suited to working on his own projects.
While Harrington is no longer a part of Shark Tank, he is still considered to be one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world. His products have generated billions of dollars in sales and he continues to be a successful investor and author.
What is Kevin Doing Now
Kevin now hosts Pitch Tank events all over the United States. He also has a YouTube channel, where he posts videos about entrepreneurship and business. He continues to do motivational speaking and often uses his social media to give financial advice.
In conclusion, Kevin Harrington is a very successful entrepreneur and businessman. He has created many products that have generated billions of dollars in sales. He is also an author and motivational speaker. While he is no longer on Shark Tank, Kevin does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
