In the episode called “Most Memorable Year Week,” the celebrity participants chose the most important year in their lives and danced to a song that represents that year for them. The sixty-four-year-old Mr. T (“My first name is ‘Mr,’ my middle name is ‘period,’ last name is ‘T.’”) chose 1995, the year he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.
The scowling ex-boxer and ex-bodyguard—real name Lawrence Tureaud—grew up in a Chicago ghetto, became a college athlete, then a pro wrestling personality before going on to star in Rocky III and The A-Team TV series. His signature Mohawk haircut, gold chains, and lines like “I pity the fool!” and “Prediction: pain!” turned him into a lovable pop culture icon of gruff masculinity.Posted by gerardvanderleun at April 17, 2017 12:50 PMThen came the cancer diagnosis. “Back in the day, I had money, cars,” he said in the introductory video to the DWTS performance. “I had achieved what I wanted to achieve and then everything really stopped.”
He suddenly found himself helpless in the face of an antagonist he didn’t know how to fight. “I called on God,” Mr. T says in the video. “I said, ‘God, give me strength to do your will.’ That’s when it really hit me: What’s really real? My faith in God. That was real, because only God could save me.” It worked, because twenty years later he stands as a humble testament to his faith, courage, and perseverance. - - ‘Tough and Tender’ Mr. T’s Amazing Grace
Sir: Many thanks to you for posting this. Was quite unaware of any specifics on this man. Assumed he was typical of the hollyweird types, and had never watched him nor was even curious.
However,& anymore,I have come to savor eating crow, when it turns out for a positive outcome or effect. This was indeed delicious. soapweed
When we've been There ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun
Black man? Brown man? Man of color?
He's colored himself -- humane human, man of humility, man of honor.
And way more than skin deep.
Lifelong circus clown, buffoon, arrogant public embarrassment.
"I can't dance, but I was dancing to give my share of the purse to St. Jude and Shriners hospitals."
-- Mr. T,,the following morning on GMA
Yes, thank God and Man for gratitude and mercy, for the healing mix of buffoonery and nobility.
I found out he was a Christian many years ago. I've thought he was a good guy for quite some time. "Bust you up!"
Posted by: Snakepit Kansas at April 18, 2017 4:42 AMI first saw Mr. T when he appeared in the Rocky movie that introduced him and quite frankly, he scared the crap out of me and I think that may have been his affect on nearly everyone.
But over the years another side of the man began to emerge, particularly his involvement with children and charities and I knew that there was a whole lot more to the man than some stereotypical role on film.
He had his shtick but he's a good man with a great heart and soul and just about as unpretentious as they come. I think the Lord gave all of us a gift by keeping him around.
Posted by: Jack at April 18, 2017 6:59 AMHe is a good man. I have always admired the courage to put yourself out on the edge and live like you have nothing to hide.
Way to go Mr. T.
Greatest Christian hymn, all time
Wonderful stuff, as always, Mr V
Thank you, once again
Posted by: OhioGuy at April 18, 2017 9:37 AMI've always enjoyed the whole A Team: the Vietnam inspired drama on TV in the Eighties. I even loved the movie version. Great stuff, and my kids love it, too. Nobody ever got killed on the TV show - it was good, clean fun in a car wreck, shooting guns, explosives kind of slapstick. A crazy chopper pilot, who wasn't really crazy but hella skilled. The leader who craved the "Jazz" of running on the edge. The perfectly handsome conniver who stole equipment and ladies' hearts. The BAF powerhouse whose fists meted out justice, but with a heart for lost dogs, little kids, and oppressed and unlucky people wherever he found them. Mister T. Bad Attitude Baracus.
These four A Team characters brought us home from Vietnam. They were outlaws but not really; the government stabbed them in the back. They went around doing moral good but pretended to be mercenary.
We'll always have a soft spot for Mr T. If he ever put that light under a basket, he'd never be able to stand it. He's a fine ambassador for Christ, and has made his own misfortune into an example for others.
Not a very good dancer, though. But, that's not what it's about, is it?
Thanks so much for posting this, I never would have known about his inspiring story otherwise. I watched it with my wife and we both enjoyed it. Good for him, he's doing life right.
Posted by: Jeff Brokaw at April 19, 2017 9:54 AM
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