It has been 43 years since The A-Team first aired on television, and the actor who played the iconic B.A. Baracus, Mr T, is now 74. He has survived a six-year battle with cancer and continues to make appearances at fan conventions and personalised greeting videos through Cameo.
The 1980s series followed four former commandos who fought crime while on the run after escaping from a maximum-security prison for a crime they did not commit. The team was led by Colonel John 'Hannibal' Smith and included Lieutenant Templeton 'Faceman' Peck, Captain H.M. 'Howlin' Mad' Murdock, and Sergeant B.A. Baracus, played by Mr T, known for his gold chains and fear of flying.
From bodyguard to Hollywood star
Born Laurence Tureaud in 1952, the actor legally changed his name while working as a bouncer and celebrity bodyguard after serving in the US Army's Military Police Corps. He reportedly earned up to $10,000 a day protecting clients including Michael Jackson, Muhammad Ali, Steve McQueen and Diana Ross.
Explaining his name, he told Playboy: "When I was 18 years old, when I was old enough to vote, I said I was old enough to be called a man. I self-ordained myself Mr. T so the first word out of everybody's mouth is 'Mr'."
His big break came in 1982 when Sylvester Stallone spotted him on the TV contest America's Toughest Bouncer and cast him as boxer Clubber Lang in Rocky III. A year later, he became a global star with The A-Team, earning $80,000 per week at the show's peak.
Cancer diagnosis and recovery
After the series ended in 1987, Mr T landed his own detective show T and T, voiced a cartoon series, released two albums and fronted ad campaigns. But in the 1990s he was diagnosed with a rare T-cell lymphoma cancer, leading to a six-year battle.
He told Coping with Cancer magazine: "Can you imagine that?! Cancer with my name on it – personalised cancer." He added: "My fame couldn't save me. My gold, my money, couldn't stop cancer from appearing on my body. If they can't save me, then I don't need them."
After largely stopping work during treatment, he returned with commercial deals, including a UK ad for Snickers and a global campaign for World of Warcraft. He also removed his gold chains out of respect for Hurricane Katrina victims, saying: "As a Christian, when I saw other people lose their lives and lose their land and property... I felt it would be a sin before God for me to keep wearing my gold."
Life today at 74
Now 74, Mr T stays mostly out of the spotlight but still appears at fan conventions. He was recently seen at Chicago's Fanexpo alongside Mel Gibson, Kurt Russell and William Shatner. He also has a Cameo page charging $700 for personalised videos.
Earlier this summer, he dressed patriotically in stars and stripes while supporting the USA in the World Cup, saying: "All the Way! I believe that We Will Win! I believe that We Will Win! You can’t beat Us, I Pity The Fool! Grrrr."
