Ted Williams, homeless man with golden voice, detained by LAPD at Hollywood hotel [Updated]
Ted Williams, the Ohio homeless man whose golden voice made him a YouTube sensation and brought him offers of work, was detained by the Los Angeles Police Department Monday night at a Hollywood hotel.
According to law enforcement sources, Williams and a unidentified family member were detained after police were called to the Renaissance Hotel on a disturbance call.
[Updated at 8:32 a.m.: The sources described the incident as an altercation with his daughter, but declined to provide further details.]
Williams was eventually released, and the sources said the investigation was continuing. The sources stressed it's unclear if any arrests would result from the probe. Sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because the case was ongoing.
Williams was in Los Angeles for several televisions appearances, including "Entertainment Tonight." Earlier Monday, he visited the Lakers.
"It was good. It was the first time," Kobe Bryant told The Times' sports blog. "I had never seen him before, but I had heard a lot about him. It was pretty cool."
ALSO:
Chino woman reunited with stolen dog
Japanese men smuggled 55 live turtles into LAX in snack food boxes
Two arrested on suspicion of stealing motorcycle, trying to sell it on Craigslist
-- Andrew Blankstein
Photo: Ted Williams, center, and his mother, Julia Williams, talk with "Today" show co-host Meredith Vieira on NBC's "Today" show on Friday. Credit: Peter Kramer / NBC
EDITOR'S PICKS:
I think Mr. Williams has arrived at that point where it's better for him to be heard and not seen.
Posted by: Will Campbell | January 11, 2011 at 11:56 AM
He didn't become homeless overnight and he's not going to "fly straight" overnight. Going from nothing to something that fast can be overwhelming and hopefully folks will keep that in mind.
I hope that he can stay clean, that he can get his life together but also think that he should be allowed to adjust to all of the attention.
Posted by: Morgan | January 11, 2011 at 12:10 PM
Maybe he was just auditioning his Heavy Metal voice? Hope he stays straight and becomes successful in life.
Posted by: Zeolit | January 11, 2011 at 12:26 PM
Hey, here's an idea. Why don't we all wait to find out what happened before we start shooting our mouths off?
Posted by: hunter9004 | January 11, 2011 at 12:27 PM
The man is probably trying to reconnect with his family after all these years. It's normal for people to get into arguments.
Posted by: Tim | January 11, 2011 at 12:42 PM
Unfortunately, we are not finished with the golden voice boy until he's crashed and burned. That's what we do here. We build ppl up and then tear them down. I wouldn't be surprised if TMZ is mailing him crack rocks. Great story America! I'm proud of you!!
Posted by: Peter | January 11, 2011 at 12:42 PM
I think it's funny when people say his story is an uplifting one. The man was a drug addict and is the father of 9 kids. Do you think he's ever paid child support? I think his story would be more uplifting if he was just down on his luck. If you're a drug addict, you deserve any bad luck you get. And don't father 9 kids if you can't even afford to care for one.
Posted by: JC Landis | January 11, 2011 at 12:45 PM
What gonna be is gonna be,what goes up must come down,provided you're clean,situation must turn around for good
Posted by: Godwin | January 11, 2011 at 12:50 PM
Something tells me that this is not going to end well
Posted by: Yowser | January 11, 2011 at 01:01 PM
The man fathered 9 kids and is a former drug addict. This isn't a feel-good story, people. Falling on bad times because of the economy is sad. But falling on bad times for making bad decisions like drugs is deserved.
Posted by: JC Landis | January 11, 2011 at 01:09 PM
I think he needs to learn from this.
Everybody is not your friend.
Like Floyd Mayweather jr. with the security guards the second time.
That’s really deep!
Everybody is not your friend!!
Remember this Mr.Williams!!!
Posted by: Mr. G-man | January 11, 2011 at 01:15 PM
Come on Ted, this is your chance!
Posted by: Mark | January 11, 2011 at 01:21 PM
Love the news media. We love him. We love him. Then, let's trash him. What a world.
Posted by: hey | January 11, 2011 at 01:23 PM
I know that Mr. Williams has made some poor choices in his life, but how many of us haven't??? None of us can cast the first stone because we have all experienced failure and we have all disappointed or hurt someone, whether we intended to or not. None of us are perfect.
I am praying for Mr. Williams because I would really like to see him turn his life around for the better. God has placed him in a position so that he can. I am also praying that he can rebuild any broken relationships he may have with his family, particularly with his children, and I hope they can move forward in a positive way. I truly believe that if Mr. Williams continues to focus on God and allow the Holy Spirit to lead him, he will make it.
Posted by: Well-Wisher | January 11, 2011 at 01:43 PM
If this man wants to change he could . and with a voice like his why has he not really tried before!!! Because the drugs, and booze can get the best of a person and they do not care to change. Addication is a terrible thing.
Posted by: carol pressley | January 11, 2011 at 02:12 PM
a daughter?, oh now he has all kinds of family that loves and wants to be around him
poor guy, he's so happy he cant see the wolves in the hen house
Posted by: mike | January 11, 2011 at 02:13 PM
Mr Williams does not need this at this time. He is still in recovery and should be in outpatient counseling. In additional, those who are offering him jobs, housing, etc,. should also be providing him with an agent and a chaperone to protect him from himself and scammers. I do not think that Mr Williams is ready to meet family members of whom, still harbor anger towards him for not being there for them and not providing financial support over the years. One does not stop being an alcoholic and drug abuser after 20 years in the streets. I am sure that his demons are still haunting him.......
Posted by: Larry Johnson | January 11, 2011 at 02:44 PM
This would be a good time for Mr Williams ex-wife to go to court and seek back child support now that he is making decent money.....!!!
Posted by: Larry Johnson | January 11, 2011 at 02:46 PM
Seems like everyone likes a "Savior" story then can't wait to see it fall apart so everyone can say "I told ya so". I hope he makes it but think about it. 9 kids. Dad has some money now. All of a sudden back child support and gimme gimme. I could set this guy back for sure. Pray it doesn't and he can be strong.
Posted by: SJZY BROWN | January 11, 2011 at 02:49 PM
@ American Dreamer, you have a great story and a lot of strength and kindness, you are right. everybody deserves a second chance and time to figure themselves out.
Posted by: jessicajanes@yahoo.com | January 11, 2011 at 02:52 PM
Just goes to show that after making repeated bad decisions, most people cannot change themselves. Like giving a lazy man the end result of hard work will ever change his work habit.
Posted by: Fat Paul | January 11, 2011 at 02:55 PM
Welcome to LA!
Posted by: D | January 11, 2011 at 02:58 PM
This man knows what he did wrong, he doesnt need constant reminding, does anyone? Give him time to make amends. Everyone is so concerned with his past, and when hes gonna drop the ball. Leave him alone aleady!
Posted by: Nancy | January 11, 2011 at 02:58 PM
Its not that the good fortune and transformation that will or have changed Mr williams. Its the jeolous and greedy family members and down and out members of our society, hope and encourage his down fall. He will be okay. The cling ons will die with envy. The american dream is still alive.
Posted by: mel | January 11, 2011 at 03:18 PM
Like I said a week ago when everyone compared his arrival on the scene to the second coming of JC... "this deadbeat dad/drugger/mugger/etc. will be back on the streets (or in the big house) within six months and we'll be back paying for all his children and wives/girl friends living expenses as per usual."
Why don't we save our praise and accolades for people that have eared it? Like the common man/women that goes to work every day, takes care of their family and obeys the laws of the land.
Posted by: westcoastkid | January 11, 2011 at 03:47 PM