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Ted Williams, born in Brooklyn in 1957, once worked as a radio announcer. Addiction led to homelessness in the 1990s. In 2011, a viral video by The Columbus Dispatch captured his deep, smooth voice as he panhandled on a street corner—and changed his life.

The video brought offers from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kraft Foods and MSNBC. Despite setbacks and relapses, Williams found lasting sobriety, published a memoir and now devotes himself to helping others through charity work.