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Although many television viewers thought Lynn Hauldren (“The Empire Carpet Man”) was the owner of Empire Today, in truth it was quite a different role that started off his career as the personality of Empire Today and Empire Carpet®.
In the late 1970s, Lynn Hauldren was an advertising copywriter, working on the Empire Carpet account. He had created the “Empire Carpet Man” character but couldn’t find the right actor to play the part. After auditioning several actors, and with the television commercial shoot date looming, owner Seymour Cohen asked Lynn himself to play the character. Since then, Lynn played The Empire Carpet Man in countless Empire Carpet and Empire Flooring commercials broadcast across the United States until the early part of 2000. Since then he continued to provide the voice of the animated character, until his passing in 2011.
One of the more popular commercials Lynn Hauldren appeared in was for the Empire Monster Carpet Sale in which he played a Vampire advertising “Monster Savings”.
Another popular commercial saw Lynn Hauldren dressed as a pilgrim while promoting Empire Carpet’s Thanksgiving Day Sale.
Lynn also promoted The Empire Carpet Holiday Sale in a commercial bearing gifts and presents.
Lynn also wrote and recorded the famous Empire Today jingle “Five Eight Eight, Two, Three Hundred, EMPIRE!”
Like a true icon, Lynn Hauldren’s face has been on T-shirts, dolls and even a limited edition bobblehead figure.
Elmer Lynn Hauldren passed away on April 26, 2011 at the age of 89, leaving behind six children, 18 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren, and an entire country that will not soon forget his friendly demeanor, calming voice and enthusiasm for Empire Carpet and Empire Today.
Empire Today has made a contribution to Barbershop Harmony Society in honor of Lynn’s love of music. If you would like to learn more about the Barbershop Harmony Society visit www.barbershop.org or if you would like to make a donation in honor of Lynn, please visit. http://www.harmonyfoundation.org.
