‘Untold Mr. T’: Pity the Fool’ Director Talks Getting to Know Man Behind Iconic Figure

“I pity the fool.” These were the iconic words that became a trademark of Mr. T after playing Clubber Lang opposite Sylvester Stallone in the 1982 Rocky III. It’s also the name of the Untold Mr. T: I Pity The Fool documentary that premiered Sunday, September 7, which explores the life of the 74-year-old actor, real name Laurence Tureaud. The larger-than-life personality, known for his gold chains and mohawk, reached pop culture icon status thanks to a series of memorable turns, perhaps none bigger than B. A. Baracus in the classic television series The A-Team.

Fame came hard and fast. Yet the road to superstardom wasn’t easy. Mr. T was raised largely by a single mother in poverty in the South Side of Chicago as one of 12 siblings. His experiences in the military, being a bouncer, and celebrity bodyguard ultimately shaped the man the world knows today. Here, Director Scott Weintrob gets candid about the making of the project.