The New York Lottery began in 1967 and according to Wikipedia its first slogan was “Your Chance of a Lifetime to Help Education”. It has generated over $34 billion in aid to education revenue. It continues to have the highest sales in the United States of any state lottery.
For those of us that live in the greater metropolitan New York City area the New York Lottery has been running television and radio spots for as long as the lottery itself (over 40 years). The announcer on air has seemingly been there for at least half that time. I wondered who the actor was and decided to try to find out. I was unsuccessful at first and that’s probably the way the New York Lottery wants it to be. Finally I was able to find out his name – Ralph Buckley. The man who may have the best job ever.
A 2007 New York Lottery television spot featuring Don Lafontaine and Ed McMahon (both of whom have passed on) notes their names but includes no information about the name of the New York Lottery Announcer the aforementioned Mr. Buckley.
I cannot recall ever seeing Mr. Buckley do any other role. I’ve never seen him interviewed (couldn’t you see him on Letterman or Leno?) and know absolutely nothing about him. I assume he is very well off (think residuals!) and after all these years I could recognize his voice in seconds whether it is on television or radio.
The job does not appear to be all that difficult and apparently the job security is very good. Sadly I was never aware of the audition for that job when it took place all those years ago. Too bad.
Did you know what his name was?
The Way I See It - Mark Kolier 
Apparently he’s had bit parts in a few movies/TV shows. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0118675/
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Thanks for the two comments David and bit parts would be the understatement when Mr. Buckley’s non-Lotto career is assessed!
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He graduated from Danbury High School in Connecticut in 1972. There he appeared in “”Inherit The Wind” and the Senior Variety Show as one of the “Four Old Men”
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And now we know. Thank you!
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In the 1980s, Ralph was also my comedy-improv instructor. An excellent instructor, great sense of humor, and basically a smart and personable, decent, guy.
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Thank you for adding that Steve. Good to hear he’s was one of the good guys. He’s probably not as rich as he should be from the campaign.
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The audition was originally for the line: “ New York Lotto. Hey, you never know. “ 1991. Yea, they booked me for that. Ralph came later. And after a few years, complained to us actors he couldn’t ride the subway without being accosted, grew a fu manchu. Didn’t help. Haven’t seen him in awhile. Anyway. Best. Colter
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Awesome comment Colter! Thanks for reading and making me laugh!
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