Laurence Tureaud was a true icon in the world of film and television in the 1980s, thanks to his various roles and his nickname Mr. T. In the series The A-Team, he showed off his impressive muscles, but he gained worldwide fame after his debut in Rocky III.
In addition, it wasn’t just his muscular appearance that made him famous, but also his unique haircut—with shaved sides and a mohawk in the center—which became almost his trademark along with the catchphrase "I pity the fool."
He served in the army and worked a variety of jobs before entering the world of acting—working as a bouncer at nightclubs and also as a bodyguard. During that time, he began wearing heavy gold chains symbolizing the battles he had won in the wrestling world. At that time, Sylvester Stallone noticed him and decided to cast him in his Rocky films.
From there—the rest is history. He gained worldwide fame as Mr. T in The A-Team, but after the series ended, his popularity declined, and he distanced himself from the entertainment industry.
In 1995, he was diagnosed with lymphoma and underwent treatment until 2001. During this period, he returned to his religious faith. “I used to say: ‘I believe in God,’ but after cancer, I started saying: ‘I depend on God,’” he said in a past interview.
And today
Since then, he has stayed away from the spotlight and now lives a quiet life. Sports still play a central role in his life, as can be seen on his social media, where he posts videos of his workouts at age 73. “I thank God for blessing me with another year. I’m full of gratitude for my health and strength. Since God blessed me—I will share my blessings with others. God blessed me so I can be a blessing to others, and I will share my blessings with my less fortunate friends,” he wrote on his Instagram profile.