The Shocking, Unfiltered Truth Behind the Man Who Commands the Stage on ‘The Price Is Right’ as His Secret History of Financial Ruin and a Dark Battle with Alcoholism Are Finally Brought to Light.

Announcer Rod Roddy Overcame Bankruptcy and Alcoholism Before Second Act on the Game Show

The game show was a chance at a fresh start after hardship for Roddy

Rod Roddy in 1983. Credit :CBS via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

Rod Roddy served as the announcer on The Price Is Right from 1986 through 2003
Roddy was grateful for his success in the role because it came after a period of hardship that included alcoholism and bankruptcy
The former radio host would face difficult times once again after being diagnosed with cancer in 2001, spending the last two years of his life advocating for early detection

Rod Roddy was no stranger to struggle.

The beloved Price Is Right announcer enjoyed great success in his role on the game show, but it came after a period of difficulty for him. Roddy’s friend, fellow announcer Randy West, talked about the hardships Roddy experienced before the dream gig, during an appearance on Nostalgia Tonight with Joe Sibilia.

“[Rod] was more enlightened as a human being, I think, as a result of having gone through all of this negativity,” West shared.

“Working in the radio business when he got in, in his 20s, was a very secure, underpaid position until you got into a reasonable market. So he was living hand to mouth at the beginning. He did very well in radio, but he was also drinking quite a bit, so that was a challenge to him.”

Rod Roddy on “The Price Is Right”.CBS Photo Archive/Getty

West explained that Roddy’s drinking had led to “some run-ins with the police,” and also contributed to his financial issues.

“He had gone through bankruptcy. He was not always the most careful with money, which later all of these things informed him in his quest to be the best person he could be,” said West. “He had given up drinking a long time, I mean, years before he did Price and never went back because he understood what he learned from that.”

In fact, Roddy became “very careful” with money and feared ending up back where he’d once been. Despite getting back on the right track, something from that time continued to haunt him.

“From the inside, I think he was never completely satisfied with his life,” West admitted.

In 2001, Roddy was diagnosed with cancer in a moment that shocked both the announcer and his loved ones.

“Rod had never taken a colonoscopy in his life,” West said. “He made a joke of it like he made a joke of everything. He just didn’t want to submit to the test.”

Roddy learned of his diagnosis after tripping at a studio recording and hurting his wrist. Upon going to the hospital, they informed him there was more going on.

“They take him to the hospital for an X-ray of his wrist, and they do some basic blood work. And they say, ‘My God, you are as anemic as anyone we’ve ever seen.’ They do the rest of the workup, and he’s got colon cancer, fourth stage, and he said to me, ‘I knew my digestive tract was troubled.’ “

Roddy’s condition was so serious that he underwent surgery on Sept. 11, 2001, despite the unfolding crisis around the country.

“All their surgeries were cancelled, but they actually did surgery on him because it was such a crisis by that time. The cancer had metastasized. So we knew he was very ill at that point, but he didn’t tell anybody who didn’t need to know.”

Roddy died on Oct. 27, 2003, at the age of 66.