Whatever Happened To These '80s TV Hunks

Publish date: 2024-05-05

Who would have guessed a beefcake with a mohawk and a heavy load of chains around his neck would end up an A-list star? Sylvester Stallone, that's who! Mr. T, whose real name is Laurence Tero Tureaud, was a notorious bouncer and bodyguard in Chicago (via Biography) when a chance encounter introduced him to Sylvester Stallone, who cast him in 1982's Rocky III, etching the phrase, "I pity the fool" into pop-culture history.

Mr. T parlayed his Rocky III fame into as many initiatives as possible, largely aimed at guiding kids to make positive life choices. In 1985, Mr. T was cast in perhaps his most notorious role on The A-Team. The actor also became a professional WWF wrestler that same year, because, of course he did.

Cancer was no match for toughguy-with-a-heart-of-gold, either. After a lengthy battle with lymphoma, according to People, Mr. T went into remission in 2006. Though he never matched his early career success, Mr. T continued working in Hollywood. In 2006, he starred in a six-episode reality show, I Pity the Fool, and in 2015, he headlined a DIY network show, I Pity the Tool. Get it? Mr. T's most successful role has always been as himself, though, as proven by his long list of guest roles and appearances. He even competed on Dancing with the Stars to earn money to donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Shriners Hospital's for Children, per (CBN News). When you're Mr. T, why in the world would you need to be anyone else?

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