Mr T profile: 'I don't chase the dollar' and a life away from the spotlight

moviesSep 3, 202614167

The Guardian published a long profile of Mr T tied to the new Netflix documentary Untold Mr T: I Pity the Fool, in which the 74-year-old actor and former wrestler says God comes first and "I don't chase the dollar." Born Lawrence Tureaud on Chicago's south side, he was raised by his mother Willie after his minister father left when he was five and grew up among 11 siblings. He legally changed his name to Mr T at 18 so people would address him as "Mr," citing racist insults he saw aimed at Black veterans and his father. Mr T is best known for playing BA Baracus on The A-Team and for his role in Rocky III; the profile notes it has been decades since his last major TV role, film lead, or wrestling match. He rarely gives interviews now, describes himself as devoted to faith, and critiques aspects of the documentary even as he promotes it. The piece frames his enduring fame as surprising given that his peak public activity was in the early 1980s and presents his retreat from the spotlight as largely faith-driven rather than money-motivated.

Eliot Higgins

@eliothiggins.bsky.social

‘I don’t chase the dollar. I never did’: the astonishing hidden life of Mr T www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

1374h ago

Gareth Clarke15

Really enjoyed reading that, and happy to see he sounds as if he's the kind of person I always hoped he'd be. I pity the Netflix.

Matthew 🦖3

It's a shame that he seems to have been poorly treated by Netflix. He's a great guy.

Old Hobbit🐸2

Glad to see that some childhood heroes remain untainted!

Quoting this

T.K.16

[Chorus] No fools, no suckas Be good to your mother No dummies, no punks I pity every last one One, one, one

Đ⟁🏳️4

Did I meet him? Yes 🤚 and still remember the handshake 🤝 Mr T.

Andrew S. 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 🇨🇦 🌈 🏳️‍⚧️

@parallax2112.bsky.social

I pity the fool who doesn't read this fascinating interview with Mr T. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

193h ago

Andrew Stafford

@andrewstafford.bsky.social

This is a long read - longer than usual for a Graun profile - and I can only assume they let it run on because Mr T is f***ing magnificent interview talent, and because Simon Hattenstone does such a bang-up job. Just wonderful, 💯 recommend. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

51h ago

Ben Jackson

@benjacksontp.bsky.social

Apologies for more non-automotive posting, but this interview with Mr T is EVERYTHING you wanted it to be and much, much more. Absolutely brilliant. A true legend. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

31h ago

Tom Irwin

@tomirwin.bsky.social

This was much more interesting than I'd anticipated. I'd love to know how much of each side is true. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

23h ago

Brendan O'Grady

@brendanogrady.bsky.social

@shattenstone.bsky.social gets & writes the best interviews, as always: www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

12h ago

Andrew

@andrewdavies.bsky.social

Inspiring guy and great interview. I don't know where the "truth" lies in between what he says and conclusions the documentary comes to. I do like that he has his own story of his life and tells it www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

1h ago

Jackie❤️☮️🇵🇸🇪🇺🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧🎵🖤♿

@bintymcfrazzles.bsky.social

"I was born and raised in the ghetto, but the ghetto was not born and raised in me. My job is to love people" Fascinating interview with Mr T. ❤️ www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

1h ago

swisslet

@swisslet.mas.to.ap.brid.gy

What an extraordinary human. I pity the fool, etc. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/sep/03/i-dont-chase-the-dollar-i-never-did-the-astonishing-hidden-life-of-mr-t

2h ago

Elliott

@elliottcb.bsky.social

I don't normally have time for the God stuff, but this seems like an interesting guy. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

1h ago

Ilyaz Nasrullah

@ilyazn.eurosky.social

Ghetto superstar / That is what you are / Finally figured out who these lyrics are about: www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

1h ago

Darchangel III

@stbteedarchy.bsky.social

legend. when I lived in Southie mid 80s, whenever I had to give my name to someone at a bank or gov office, theyd say "You Mr T ? If so, where your fat gold chains be?" or " Youre the wrong color, you pulling my leg ?" etc So I felt connected to BA Baracus, fool ! www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

3h ago

inezdesmond.bsky.social

@inezdesmond.bsky.social

Worth reading to the end. Interesting and shocking reveal on why he changed his name in law to Mr T. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

3h ago

Brian Williams

@briw74.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle... Robert Vaughn said Mr T was the most psychopathic individual he had ever encountered in Hollywood.

5h ago

1 source

theguardian.com‘I don’t chase the dollar. I never did’: the astonishing hidden life of Mr T

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Mr T profile: 'I don't chase the dollar' and a life away from the spotlight

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