Before the mohawk, gold chains and acting career, Mr. T was a young boy determined to make something of himself.
The actor, athlete and television personality opens up about being written off by society and his hard-fought road to success, in the upcoming Netflix documentary Untold: Mr. T — I Pity the Fool.
In the newly released trailer, the 74-year-old Chicago native reflects on growing up poor and watching his father being disrespected.
“People don’t know the road I had to travel,” Mr. T shares. “I was born in the Robert Taylor Projects. You gotta be tough in the hood. Growing up, I watched my father being called ‘boy.’ I ordained myself ‘Mister T,’ so the first word out of everybody’s mouth would be ‘mister.’ That’s a sign of respect my father didn’t get.”
Born Laurence Tureaud in 1952, he says he was never expected to accomplish much in life.
“Here’s this kid who they said wouldn’t be nothing,” he recalls. Instead, he grew up to become one of entertainment’s most recognizable figures.
From playing “Clubber Lang” in Rocky III to starring on The A-Team for five seasons as “B.A. Baracus,” Mr. T says he was determined to make something of himself.
“I’m not just some phony, fake celebrity or fictitious hero,” he declares. “I’m real life.”
Untold is a popular documentary series focusing on familiar faces from the sports world. The new season debuts Aug. 25, and will include three installments releasing weekly.
Directed by Scott Weintrob, Untold: Mr. T — I Pity the Fool traces the origin story behind the Hollywood star.
The documentary is executive produced by Weintrob, Steve Michaels, Ben Bitonti, Eden Sutley, Paul Levesque, Lee Fitting, Ben Houser, Marc Pomarico, Ben Silverman, Howard T. Owens, Chapman Way, and Maclain Way. Loren Gomez serves as co-executive producer.
Untold: Mr. T — I Pity the Fool premieres Sept. 8, 2026 on Netflix.
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