From living homeless to household name

JOB offers are rolling in for a homeless Ohio man with a golden radio voice who has become an online sensation. And industry experts believe he could quickly become a millionaire.

Ted Williams was initially spotted by a Columbus newspaper team standing near an exit ramp off Interstate 71. In a video interview that quickly became wildly popular, Williams — holding a cardboard sign that asked motorists for help and says, “I’m an ex-radio announcer who has fallen on hard times” — explained in his smooth voice that he was drawn to radio at the age of 14.

Williams says he has been sober for two years following trouble with drugs and alcohol and now US radio stations and ESPN and MTV have expressed interest in him. He has received a $10,000 offer for voice-over work.

Now Williams is America’s hottest — and most improbable — star.

Yesterday, Williams, who was living in a tent near a highway in Columbus, Ohio, just days ago, was in New York for a reunion with his 90-year-old mother and to appear on NBC’s Today show — one of many interview requests to come his way in the past few days.

“I can’t believe what’s going on,” Williams said. “God gave me a million- dollar voice, and I just hope I can do right by him.”

Los Angeles agent Shane Cormier, whose clients have done voiceover work for Ford and Western Union, said: “We could make him a millionaire.”

Williams has been offered a job by the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, and the 53-year-old is being pursued by NFL Films and many others for possible work. “This has been totally, totally amazing,” Williams said. “I’m just so thankful. God has blessed me so deeply. I’m getting a second chance. Amazing.”

Williams was contacted on Wednesday by the Cavaliers, who have offered him a position that could include announcing work at Quicken Loans Arena, the team’s downtown facility. Williams said the team has offered him a two-year contract and said they would pay his living expenses.

Williams has served time in prison for theft and forgery and has been cited with misdemeanours, including drug abuse.

He was most recently arrested on May 14. He pleaded guilty to a first-degree misdemeanour theft charge. In court records, his address is listed as “Streets of Columbus”.

Williams flew to New York, where he stayed in a posh hotel off Central Park. He visited his mother, Julia, who lives in Brooklyn. She has stood by him during his battles with addiction.

“She has always been my best friend,” he said, crying. “When I was a kid, she would take me down to Radio City Music Hall and on the subway. I’m just glad that she is still around. I prayed that she would live long enough that I could make her proud and see could her son do something other than stand along the side of the road with a sign asking for money.”

Julia Williams said: “This will be my day to see my son get up and do something to help himself,” she said. “He has so much talent. I hope this will be the thing for him. He came from a nice family. And then he went poor, poor. So, maybe this will build him up and let him see that there’s more in life than hanging around with the wrong people, and taking drugs.”

Williams said his life began spiralling downward in 1996 when he began drinking alcohol “pretty bad”. He used marijuana and cocaine and lost interest in his radio career. He eventually wound up on the streets, despite the best efforts of his children, seven daughters and two sons, who all live in the Columbus area.

Williams said he celebrated two years of sobriety “around Thanksgiving. I just hope everyone will pray for me”.