Charles Rangel was sometimes known as the Lion of Lenox Avenue.

Harlem’s own Charlie Rangel rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most familiar faces and distinct voices in American politics.

“I was involved in the civil rights marches in the ‘60s,” Rangel said on Inside City Hall.

Rangel served in the House of Representatives for 46 years, surviving an ethics scandal that came to a head in 2010, drawing from his one-of-a-kind charm and tireless energy.

“Maybe people looked at me and they said, ‘Poor old Rangel, he’s an old man. I don’t think he’s gonna make it.’ Well, I tell you this. Take another look,” he said.

Born to working-class parents in Harlem, Rangel dropped out of high school to enlist in the Army, and found himself fighting in the Korean War. He was wounded in battle, and he won the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his heroics, leading to one of his favorite lines and the title of his memoir: “And I Haven’t Had a Bad Day Since.” 

Back in New York, he went to college and law school on the G.I. Bill and recounted it all last year.

“I said, ‘I want to be a lawyer.’ I had no idea you had to finish high school,” he told NY1.

He landed a job at the U.S. Attorney’s office and soon found himself involved in politics, though it was never his plan.

“Congress was never on my mind,” he said.

Rangel was elected to the State Assembly in 1966, and four years later defeated the legendary Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr., himself a Harlem icon, to win a seat in the House.

Over the decades, the Democrat won a reputation as an effective lawmaker who could win over colleagues on both sides of the aisle. He was a founding member of Congressional Black Caucus; among his many policy achievements was the creation of empowerment zones in the early ‘90s, including one in Upper Manhattan.

In 2006 he became powerful chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, but would lose the title in 2010.

“The House has resolved that Representative Charles Rangel of New York be censured,” Rep. Nancy Pelosi said.

In a career low point, Rangel was found guilty of House ethics violations, including failure to pay taxes on a villa in the Dominican Republic and using congressional stationary to solicit funds for a City College center bearing his name.

Over the years there were challengers to his seat, including, in 1994, Adam Clayton Powell IV, son of the former congressman. They debated on NY1.

“I’m going to try to be very kind to you, Adam, because I recognize that there’s a lot that you don’t know,” Rangel said.

In 2012 and 2014, he held off Adriano Espaillat in two tough primary fights in a district that had changed to become majority Latino.

“Just what the heck has he done besides saying that he’s a Dominican,” Rangel said.

Espaillat would finally win the seat in 2016, with Rangel planning his retirement. He was the last remaining member of the so-called Gang of Four, a group of Harlem power brokers that also included Basil Paterson, David Dinkins and Percy Sutton.

Rangel’s wife, Alma, died last year. But he remained a presence in his final years, never surrendering the charisma that helped propel his a legendary career. Charlie Rangel was 94.