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Powerball-Winning Former Monk To Fund Goodman Theatre Production

(CBS) -- A production at the Goodman Theatre is moving forward thanks to a donation from a former monk who won the lottery, reports WBBM's Nancy Harty.

Roy Cockrum studied at Northwestern University before working in theater and TV for roughly 20 years, according to the Goodman.

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In 2003, he joined a monastery in Massachusetts. Then last summer, the now Tennessee resident won $153 million in the Powerball. He is no longer bound by his vow of poverty, reports DNAInfo.

The Goodman says the 58-year-old Cockrum will entirely fund next year's production of "2666," a five hour adaptation of Roberto Bolaño's novel, saying it is necessary that society support artists' big dreams and financially enable theater companies to make them a reality.

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