A former homeless man has amazed audiences with his appearance in the film Marty Supreme.
The recent movie starring Timothée Chalamet takes inspiration from the life of tennis professional Marty Reisman and was released in theaters on Christmas Day.
The film boasts an impressive ensemble, including Ted Williams, who portrays a worker at a tennis club.
If the name rings a bell, it’s because Ted Williams is the same individual whose story of overcoming homelessness to become known as ‘The Man with the Golden Voice’ has captured the hearts of many.
Williams is a well-known American announcer, radio personality, voice-over artist, and now, an actor.
However, the 68-year-old from New York didn’t always have such a bright life.
Williams was raised in Brooklyn, New York, having been adopted when he was just three weeks old, according to Dallas’ AMPS Magazine.
After being honorably discharged from the US Army after three years of service, he embarked on a radio career, landing a role as a late-night disc jockey for WVKO in Columbus, Ohio.
Williams initially thrived in his job, and he shared with AMPS that he was ‘doing very well with [his] broadcasting career’ in the early 1980s, with children, a family, and ‘life was good’.
However, things took a downturn in 1988 when he smoked what he believed was marijuana, which turned out to contain ‘crack-cocaine,’ leading to an addiction.
He battled alcohol and drug abuse, lost his home, and his life further unraveled.
Williams confessed that his drug use ‘separated’ him from his family, job, and home, adding: “I was embarrassed and I embarrassed my family. My voice was a gift from God and I was abusing it.”
As his mental and physical health deteriorated, Williams ended up arrested on various charges, including drug possession, theft, and robbery.
In 1990, he served three months in prison for theft and in 2004, he was incarcerated for nearly two months for obstructing official business, theft, and forgery.
During this time, a reporter from the Columbus Dispatch interviewed him while he stood at an intersection in Columbus, Ohio, in January 2011.
The interview recording quickly became a sensation on social media, titled ‘Ted Williams: homeless man with a golden voice,’ with Williams holding a cardboard sign, showcasing his ‘golden’ voice and seeking donations.
This exposure led to a barrage of job offers for Williams, and he made appearances on numerous news programs, including CBS’ The Early Show and Today.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, an NBA basketball team, even offered him a home and a job, and he later secured voice-over work with Kraft Foods, MSNBC, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
“The Columbus Dispatch reporter played a crucial role in transforming my life. His actions provided me with an opportunity to make the change that saved my life,” Williams said.
Having turned his life around, fans were thrilled to spot him in Marty Supreme. Here are some of their reactions:
One person commented: “Josh Safdie casting the man with the golden voice in Marty Supreme was an exceptional choice. Ohio excellence on display.”
“I was blown away when The Golden Voice appeared in Marty Supreme,” another viewer shared.
“Big kudos to Marty Supreme for casting Ted Williams (the homeless man with a golden voice) in a major film. I recognized him instantly,” another fan remarked.