Biography
Who is Mr. T?
Early life and real name
Born Laurence Tureaud in Chicago, Illinois, the future star grew up in the Robert Taylor Homes public housing project. He was the youngest of twelve children raised by his father, who worked as a minister. After his father left the family home when he was five, he initially changed his name to Lawrence Tero. By the time he reached adulthood, he legally adopted the name Mr. T, a choice he made to demand the respect he felt was lacking for his family members.
He attended Dunbar Vocational High School in Chicago, where he participated in football and wrestling programs. His athletic talent earned him a spot on the wrestling team, and he became the citywide champion for two consecutive years. He also studied martial arts during this period. Eventually, he secured a football scholarship to attend Prairie View A&M University, where he pursued studies in mathematics. His time at the university ended when he was expelled along with other students during a protest.
Career as a bouncer and bodyguard
After leaving university, he worked as a gym instructor for a government program in Chicago before joining the United States Army in 1975. He served in the Military Police Corps. Following his military discharge, he attempted to join the Green Bay Packers football team but was unable to secure a position due to a knee injury. He transitioned into work as a bouncer at a nightclub called Dingbats Discotheque on Rush Street.
It was during his time as a bouncer that he developed his signature tough-guy look. He began wearing gold jewelry that patrons left behind or lost during fights, wearing the items conspicuously to help owners identify and reclaim their property. He claimed to have participated in over 200 fights while working security. This job eventually led to a decade-long career as a bodyguard for various high-profile clients, including celebrities like Michael Jackson, Steve McQueen, and boxer Muhammad Ali. His reputation for security work even resulted in requests for specialized tasks like locating missing persons.
Rise to acting fame
His transition to professional acting began after he appeared in televised tough-man competitions on NBC. Sylvester Stallone spotted him during a broadcast and recruited him for the film Rocky III. Originally intended to have a minor role, he was cast as the primary antagonist Clubber Lang. The film introduced his famous catchphrase, I pity the fool, which was written by Stallone after hearing the phrase in an interview. Following this, he gained big popularity for his role as Sergeant Bosco B.A. Baracus in the television series The A-Team.
In addition to The A-Team, he starred in the 1983 feature film DC Cab and provided the voice for his own animated series titled Mister T, which aired on NBC. The cartoon featured him as the owner of a gym where he helped train gymnasts and solve crimes. He also made guest appearances on various television shows, including Silver Spoons and Diff'rent Strokes, often playing versions of himself or characters similar to his bodyguard persona. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame for his contributions to professional wrestling.
Birthday and age
Mr. T was born on May 21, 1952, which makes Mr. 74 years old today. That birthday falls under the Gemini sign. Mr. shares the date with 27 other famous people.
Explore more
