Steve Ballmer is arguably the world's hardest-working and most animated billionaire. The Microsoft chief executive is a salesman extraordinaire who will go to any length to sell a product--and in the process, often makes a complete fool of himself. In public appearances, he jumps and screeches like a monkey, drenches himself in sweat and sticks out his tongue when he's really excited about something.
In spite of his bombastic displays, Ballmer is nobody's fool: he leads the world's biggest software company, and Forbes estimates his personal net worth at $15 billion.
Here are some of Ballmer's greatest moments in pictures and video.
Ballmer's 'Monkey Dance'
He ran and jumped around and screeched like a monkey to Gloria Estefan's "Get On Your Feet" at a Microsoft conference a few years ago, and the video became an instant hit online. The Monkey Dance will forever be recognized as Ballmer's signature move.
Ballmer's Blood, Sweat And Tears
OK, just sweat, actually. Ballmer drenched himself preaching the Microsoft gospel at one of the company's many developer conferences. It was a convincing display of commitment on his part, but developers sitting close to the stage likely got more than they bargained for.
Ballmer's Wagging Tongue
Like a kid, he loves sticking out his tongue in public, and he's done it several times, including at a Nasdaq event. Ballmer's tongue seems to leap from his mouth uncontrollably when he's really pumped up about something.
Ballmer's Spiderman Impersonation
He's larger than life, so he likes using big arm gestures when he talks. Here, Ballmer's arms are in the air and his fingers are spread apart. He appears to be mimicking a spider, crawling up a water spout.
Ballmer's Hungarian Egg Incident
While speaking to a group of university students in Budapest, Ballmer was egged by someone in the audience. The egg thrower said Microsoft owed the Hungarian people money and the back of his shirt read, "Microsoft = corruption." Luckily, Ballmer quickly ducked behind a table and didn't get hit. He didn't get fazed either. Without missing a beat, Ballmer joked about the irate egg thrower breaking his train of thought.
Ballmer's Fist Pump
Another signature move. He does this every time he talks about Microsoft in public.
Ballmer's Big Gestures
He's a big guy who shuns subtlety. He doesn't do anything small, even if he's just saying, "Hi, how are you?"
Ballmer Yelling
His everyday mode of communication at Microsoft.
