'Golden Voice' Tarnished? Rough Trip to Hollywood for Ted Williams

By Marc Schneider Posted Jan 12th 2011 10:48AM

Ted Williams' excellent adventure hit a snag in Hollywood this week as he prepared to make a pair of TV appearances just days after shooting to instant fame because of his "golden" voice. Police were called on Monday to the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in response to an argument between the recently homeless man and his daughter, Janey. Los Angeles Police Officer Catherine Massey said the two "were brought in, calmed down, talked to and released."

Massey said the altercation was "minor" and that "there were no signs of visible abuse." Williams, however, appeared on 'Entertainment Tonight' on Tuesday with claims to the contrary and a scratched-up face.

In his interview with 'ET,' Williams described a family gathering that devolved into a shouting match between him and Janey. The family had reunited over the weekend to shoot a TV appearance for the show 'Dr. Phil.'

"I wanted to bring it to a close by just saying 'shut the hell up and let me talk to your mother,'" he said. "When that was said out of my mouth, my daughter exploded ... fists started flying, none of which were mine, none of which were mine, but it could have escalated to the point where it could have gotten really ugly. So in the process of doing that, I got scratched on my face."

But Janey Williams had a different story to tell and claimed they were arguing because her estranged father, a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, had been drinking heavily since being plucked from obscurity.

"He has consumed at least a bottle of Gray Goose a night. That's not including the Coronas he ordered, that's not including the Budweisers he ordered, the other alcohol, the wines. He drinks heavily," she said.

Ted Williams denied he's been drinking, but admitted to CBS News on Friday that his sudden rise to fame has been a challenge. "I wanted a nerve pill yesterday, to be honest with you."

In the 'ET' interview, Ted Williams claimed his daughter made threats to bring his good luck to a halt. "She was screaming, 'I'm gonna sell this story,'" he said. "You think you've got bad press now."

A two-part 'Dr. Phil' episode was taped over the weekend, and on Wednesday, viewers will witness as Williams meets with his ex-wife, Patricia, and five of his nine children, according to a statement from the show.

"In this emotional reunion, Williams talks openly with his family about the man he is today, the influences that threaten his sobriety and what his children can expect from him in the future. His children respond in a very raw and candid manner," the statement said.

Life coach and radio host Mel Robbins tells PopEater that Williams' feel-good story was doomed from the moment it became clear the media was going to latch onto him and not let go.

"The media created a reality show right in front of our eyes," she says. "Ted Williams may have a golden voice, but he's also got a rap sheet, a drug addiction, nine children he abandoned and a mother he has been estranged from for 20 years. Does everyone deserve a second chance, sure. But don't kid yourself -- you can't overcome a lifetime of bad decisions and mental health issues with a few morning show appearances."

Williams, a Brooklyn native, became an online sensation a week ago when The Columbus Dispatch posted a video of him demonstrating his voice-over skills by the side of the road. Since then he has made appearances on the 'Today' show, among other programs, taped commercials for Kraft Foods and even reunited with his mother.

Tags: Ted Williams

Comments

(17)

Wednesday 12 January

By Gloria

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I think that Ted Williams had a very happy go lucky attitude, very positive whether on the streets or where he is know. Let him take his chances at getting a good job, making good money. Yes, he was an estranged husband, and usually happens when a parent doesn't feel good enough about themselves to care for their children though that isn't always a good excuse, but who the hell does Dr. Phil think he is to destroy that man's positive attitude. What gives Dr. Phil any right to own Ted Williams? He may need some counceling so not to be overwhelmed by all the publicity, and drink again. After watch Dr.Phil yesterday, all I could get out of it is: that Dr. Phil wanted to bust his bubble, and destroy his future, and I don't want to watch Dr. Phil anymore because of his attitude with Ted Williams.

By Pat Murray

How can this barrage of attention, and harrasment be STOPPED against Ted Williams. Truthfully, my heart aches for him, especially since he is in a very fragile state at this time of his life. Who among us has not made mistakes, I know I have and plenty of them. To have them all exposed to the world & if I were already in a VERY FRAGILE state, would be unbearable. But the almighty dollar means more then a man's fight for life, and return to society. You all should be ashamed, I wish there was a good lawyer to stop this harrasment by the press and people out to make money off Mr. Williams. Remember IF something happens to him, we have ALL had a share in letting this happen.

By Loreli48

I wish this guy the best. His daughter just wants a piece of the action. His whole family probably does. Some of them probably deserve something from him. But if they want to get it, they should support him and help him stay strong instead of dragging him down. I hope he makes it.

By New York

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I think what the daughter was trying to say was that Ted is not clean & sober. The reason he is so calm is probably because he is on zanex or valium. There is much more to this story & we will soon find out what it is. Dr Phil hit the nail on the head. He wants Ted to attend the 12 step program every day for 90 days. I think that is a very wise thing to do. He needs to apologize to his family & everyone he hurt throughout the years. All I hear frm Ted is I,I,I. He has alot of work ahead of him. No one cleans up cold turkey. He needs help. I also doubt very much if he was clean & sober for 2 years.

By Lisa

Geez, if anything it sounds like his "family" will be the ones to drive him back to drugs and alcohol! Let the man learn to stand on his own two feet and deal with the notoriety as an individual before pulling in the rest of the dysfunctional elements.

By Chuck

Wow, where was this "concerned" daughter when the man was out on the streets. Now she notices that he is drinking a bottle of Grey Goose every day? I think not, she thinks its time to grab the Daddy Gravy Train before it runs out of steam. The guy is fragile and has problems but since he has no handlers around him I find it hard to believe that he could clean himself up that well to do interviews if he was abusing alcohol the way his daughter claims. Also, the police in that city have no problems bringing celebrities to their knees so I doubt they would have left his intoxication off of their reports. They may however have tried to save her a trip to the slammer by skipping the scratching on her fathers face.

I agree with everyone wanting a piece of him, including some of his family members. As children we are tough and don't really know if we are poor or not as long as we have the love of our family and support. I do understand how Ted Williams feels in thinking that doing all this work he will give his family all he can trying to give them what he couldn't back then, and he deserves the chance. Stop-Dr.Phil, and any others who are trying to destroy his spirit. The children are grown up now to adults themselves, give him a chance.

By gary

She an angry woman..he is calm .

She is going to torpedo his chances.

By Sandy

Ted, get away from your family at least for now. They will sell you out for a piece of the pie. Just do your job, put your money in the bank and live out your dream. They have their life now. Now you have a chance to make a life. Take all the stress factors out and just do the work, then curl up in your home and sleep, rest and refleck on God's goodness. Pick your friends wisely. Give the Glory to God and then later when you're strong, make amends with your family and go from there, one day at a time. We are all wishing you well.

By RasreDiamond

Well Said Sandy!

Does his Daughter/family want to see him on the street again?
I think the whole family needs councelling for rage - epsecially the daughter! What a cool, calm woman his mother is God bless her.

At least Ted, is out there airing his own dirty laundry. As DrPhill said.. The tabloids will put you up on a stool then, slam you back down again - its news.

God bless you Ted.
Continue to meditate on your journey with God. cling TO Him!
He leads you and forgives you - some people wont so get that right now. God vaildates us not people. He was there with you in the street and He will be with you now, Amen!

By Barbara Boyd

TO TED WILLIAM'S DAUGHTER, HE NEEDS YOUR LOVE WITH HIS NEW FAME. PLEASE BE PATIENT. DON'T LET THE WORLD SEE HE CAN BE HOMELESS AGAIN WITHIN SECONDS. HE WILL BE ABLE TO PAY BACK CHILD SUPPORT IF HIS FAME CONTINUES.

REMEMBER LOVE PLUS FAME + CHILD SUPPORT FROM THE PAST= LOVE.

By Mike

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Wow. This whole Ted Williams thing proves (again) that, even though we arguably live in the greatest country in the world, we have the highest concentration of stupid people in the world.

By YellowRose3218

Yes, anyone can see in this video, she is a hate filled woman.
I feel bad for Ted, with a daughter like that, he should stay away from her. She is, and will be trying to take him down.
Where was she when Ted was on the street, that the first reason to stay away from her. And anyone who cant work out their differences with out hitting, is another good reason to stay away. I hope Ted can stay sober, and work through all of this family problems.
Some times its best to walk away from so called family. Their the ones that will take him down.

By beverly

I think Teds ex wife and his kids are jealous of his fame. I dont even know the man and i dont think he talked to his daughter like that. For gods sake they need to realize the man was homeless because of poor judgement yea, but now hes trying to make life better, and they are hating on him for that. theres no telling the lies his ex wife fed them kids about their father, hell shes probably the one that drove him to drinking, after seeing the daughters attitude.Just let the man be happy, cause i dont know a person alive that woulda had the same thing happen to them that wouldn't have celebrated the situation by having a drink hes in his 50s so what.they are just mad cause hes in the spotlight and not them. after the way his ex talked about him publicly she dont deserve any child support from him and any court shouldnt make him pay it. he should be getting her for slander.

By mark

anyone thats been where he has been has enough strength to get through a few more people looking for something for nothing.I wish him well.

By Kim

As a resident of Columbus, OH, I can tell you that we have many homeless people on our streets and they all have problems. I can also tell you that the majority of them are trying to get back on their feet again and will give you the shirt of their back (if they have one), if you offer them something.

Why would anyone begrudge this man a chance to make an honest living and give back to society and get off the streets? Yes, he has probably wronged his family and he knows that. It's been a week, give him a chance to make it right! Stand by him, support him.

I agree with what someone else said, Ted, it's time to put yourself first, get straightened out, continue to be clean and sober, be gainfully employed and have a home, and then and only when the time is right, seek out your family and try to make ammends. For now, this time is about you and you getting on your feet. The whole city of Columbus is behind you good Sir. Good luck to you!!!

Kim

By Wendy

The daughter should be in jail for scratching her father. Leave him alone if you don't want anything to do with him. She should want to see him get a life and off the streets. She needs counseling too.

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