'American Gangster' thankful for life on 85th birthday

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WECT) - Former prominent drug lord Frank Lucas said he is thankful to God for allowing him to see another year.

When asked how old he is, Lucas jokingly responded with "39."

Lucas was portrayed by Denzel Washington in the movie American Gangster, and celebrated his 85th birthday on Wednesday.

"I can' tell you everything I did, because if I do I would be in the jail for the next 100 years," Lucas explained.

Lucas was notorious for selling heroin he called "blue magic."

"My life been a regular hell. I did it all, it started when I was about 6 years old," Lucas says as he laughs. "To this day, I made it. I didn't want to chop cotton. I didn't want to chop tobacco. I didn't want to ply the mule. I wanted to drive a Rolls Royce and eat big thick steaks and smoke big cigars. I got it all and I'm doing it good now."

It's a past he doesn't like talking about, but one those close around him say he's remorseful for.

"I'm very remorseful for my past, very remorseful for that," Lucas noted passionately. "I hope I'm doing the right thing now."

The American Gangster said he does several speaking engagements and tries to help children down the right path.

The Lenoir County native, now confined to a wheelchair, makes his home in Bladen County.

He attributes God's grace as the reason why he's not behind bars and is still alive.

"He's been good to me," Lucas said.

Lucas said he has a lot of projects in the works.

A show called Blue Magic is in the early stages. The show will look at his life from childhood to the present. He hopes his life will inspire others to do better.

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