Includes video report
He became New York City's most famous doorman when he won a $5 million lottery jackpot.
Now he's fighting to live.
Lotto winner Richie Randazzo has been battling lung cancer for the past six months, and is taking another gamble by forgoing surgery.
"It's the luck of the draw," Randazzo, 49, told The Post from his home in Gravesend, Brooklyn. "This time I crapped out, but that's OK. I woke up the next day, and I've been waking up ever since.
"You can't keep an Avenue U boy down too long."
The wisecracking Brooklynite became famous in 2008 after a lucky Set for Life scratch-off propelled him from Park Avenue porter to headline-grabbing millionaire.
(See Lottery win opens doors for N.Y. doorman, Lottery Post, June 16, 2008.)
Soon after cashing in his ticket, Randazzo was partying with Swedish model Sabina Johansson — who was charged with promoting prostitution — and playing the odds with his prize money in Atlantic City and at Aqueduct.
But this year, his health bottomed out. Chest pains sent him to the hospital, where doctors found a tumor outside his lung.
His surgeon tried unsuccessfully to remove the mass three months ago, and Richie has decided against further surgery.
Randazzo, who broke out a cigar to celebrate when he won, says he finished a round of radiation and chemotherapy.
"No matter how much money you have, you can't control your health," he said. "If you get sick, all the money in the world can't help you."
For the last five years he has enjoyed his early retirement and lived in his boyhood home-turned-bachelor pad.
It's a far cry from the 1980s, when he was drug-addled and homeless before entering rehab and snagging his $40,000-a-year doorman job.
He spends his time jaunting to West Virginia, Puerto Rico and Atlantic City, fishing in Sheepshead Bay and dining at Brooklyn spots Di Fara, Peter Luger's and Spumoni Gardens.
He bought a $100,000 Jaguar, a shiny red Cadillac convertible and a Lexus for his parents. He wrote a single $10,000 check to one girlfriend in need.
Randazzo's lottery payout — which he is taking in installments — comes to $12,000 a month after taxes. He says his nearly $250,000 annuity would go to his next of kin — his parents — if he kicks the bucket.
Still, the gambler is searching for his queens of hearts.
He was dumped by his girlfriend of 1 1/2 years following his cancer diagnosis, he said.
"I'd love to find a good woman to travel with," Randazzo said. "I need somebody to show me how to work a computer. I need to catch up and get to the 21st century."
He says he's looking for a woman with beauty and brains before he turns 50 next March.
"Things are always going to change," he said. "When you're on a losing streak, you have to start winning."
(Click to display full-size in gallery)
VIDEO: Richie Randazzo on FOX News's "Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld"
Thanks to Lottaballz for the tip.
If you don't have your health...then you don't have anything.
True.I had a stroke in 209 and haven't recovered from it,yet.Probably never will.But it doesn't keep me from trying to win a jackpot.Money can't buy everything but it can keep the wolf away from your door and let you live in comfort without money worries.
NY now offers lump sum. They should give him all his money so he can go on a spending spree or just give it away.
For those stuck in an annuity, there are 3rd party companies that can buy out your annuity and give you a lump sum. Then you can go on a Bucket List trip!
How sad for him to have been dealt such a bad hand after that lucky win. First getting cancer that's not responding to treatment and then his girlfriend leaves him. Despite that, he has an admirable positive outlook. I wish him well.
Best wishes, and get better soon.
I wish you well in all you do Cletus.Same goes for the doorman- l guess when you have had enough of doctors probing around in your chest that could well be a sign that you getting your bucket list together.
At least this guy knows how to party...can't fault him there.
I remember seeing him on TLC LCML his was so funny on his episode. Best wishes.
Sorry to hear that Cletus, wishing you well on your recovery
Yeah I had a light stroke.I had to learn how to walk and talk all over again.Stil can't walk more than about two blocks without stopping to rest for quite awhile.Could be worse,though.Lots of people end up bedridden after having a stroke.Lots of people die from strokes,too.
Thanks,dcf!
This story shows just how small the community of lottery jackpot winners is nation wise. Just mention one of them and they are remembered by many as if they were once a neighbor or at least lived in the their town.
I wish Richie Randazzo the best with his health problems.
Wishing you a quicker recovery, and a huge pile of $$CASH$$ in your bank account.
It is always better to be very rich, than very broke, when you have a serious sickness. If you are broke, the hardships get multiplied. Get well soon Richie, our prayers are with you and your family.
Agree. Especially in this country! We lived in Australia and Canada before moving here, and boy, the medical system is pretty brutal and unforgiving if you're not lucky enough to have some nicely subsidized medical insurance from your company. Or lots of money.
It's when you are down, that you find out, who your true friends are. Maybe the money in not flowing like it used to. In this day and age, $5mil. minus taxes, plus other expenditures, plus serious sickness, equals, be very careful with your money.
A lot of those 3rd party companies, will stick it to you, in the rear, when they know you are in a bind, and don't have much of a choice.
Richie, I wish you a rapid recovery from your lung cancer! It is good that you had agreed to the cancer tumor removal surgery; even though it couldn't be performed, by the surgeon you chose, in the end.
Maybe, Richie, you could learn the computer and browser searches at your public library or local computer training school this week. Then research a surgeon that has had more lung cancer removal surgery successes, and then hire to perform your own surgery.
Thanks mypiemaster.I didn't mean to turn this thread into a story about my illness.I was just commenting on another post.But that huge pile of $$CASH$$ in my bank account does sound nice!
You're in my prayers Richie & Cletus..
Mine as well!
I remember reading about this back in 2008. I remember guys claiming he will be broke before long. He is not broke 5 years later. I'll bet that even Pedro will not be broke 5 years from now. I think the media takes the few who piss off their jp's and sensationalizes them. Media has to be sensational to make the audience tune in. God Bless you Richie Randazzo. I hope you beat cancer.
Depressing. My prayers are with you Mr. Randazzo.
Health will always take precedence before wealth in my book. Healthy mind, Healthy living...ever priceless yet taken for granted far too often.
The key as the man said is...to wake up each day...that is your blessing....
The best medical support one can have is the love and support of friends/family. May he be surrounded by genuine friends/family.
I have updated the news story to include a clip from "Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld" — a great clip to see and hear from Richie Randazzo himself!
He's a nothing phony, what you see is what you get, salt of the earth type guy.
And he loves and takes care of his family and friends.
I like that guy.
Amen!! Steve Jobs was woth $ 8 billion dolars, and in the end his vast wealth couldn't buy him his health to enjoy his wealth.
for the record "Steve Jobs's cancer was and not exactly curable and his decision to look for other means to cure it is what killed him
http://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2011/10/24/steve-jobs-cancer-treatment-regrets/
Dam. Grave sent will be his next 1 way ticket huh
I agree no amount of money can replace good health. As they say health is wealth. I really admire him that despite his condition he is still optimistic. I hope he will be able to recover soon.