Mr. T Net Worth: Few stars from the 1980s shine as brightly—or as boldly—as Mr. T. Instantly recognizable by his gold chains, mohawk, and booming catchphrases, he became a pop-culture force of nature. But behind that fierce image is a story of grit, faith, and resilience. From Chicago’s rough South Side to global fame, Mr. T has lived a life filled with triumphs, trials, and inspiration. This is the full journey of Laurence Tureaud—the man the world simply calls Mr. T.
Quick Bio Table
| Full Name | Laurence Tureaud |
| Known As | Mr. T |
| Date of Birth | May 21, 1952 |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Age (2025) | 73 years old |
| Nationality | American |
| Parents | Nathaniel Tureaud Sr. (father); mother’s name not widely publicized |
| Siblings | Youngest of twelve children |
| Profession | Actor, television personality, former wrestler, motivational speaker |
| Famous For | The A-Team (B.A. Baracus); Rocky III (Clubber Lang) |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | ≈ 105 kg (231 lbs) |
| Hair Color | Black (Mohawk style) |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Marital Status | Formerly married to Phyllis Clark |
| Children | Three |
| Net Worth (2025) | ≈ $1 million |
| Education | Dunbar Vocational High School; Prairie View A&M University (attended one year) |
| No official verified account (fan pages exist) |
Who Is Mr. T?
Mr. T — born Laurence Tureaud — is more than a pop-culture figure, but an example of the indefatigable nature of the human spirit. Actor, athlete and real-life inspiration who overcame adversity to make an impact. He was a larger than life presence in the 80s, but down to earth values. Widely recognized for his basso profundo, mohawk and geverything-old-is-new-again 6-million-dollar man chains, Mr. T built a persona around respect, discipline and moral fiber.
Mr. T Net Worth
As of 2025, Mr. T’s estimated net worth is around $1 million. Unlike many celebrities, he never chased luxury for its own sake. His fortune stems from acting, endorsements, professional wrestling, and motivational appearances.
He’s endorsed brands like Snickers (“Get some nuts”) and appeared in video-game campaigns for World of Warcraft, always bringing his humor and grit. Though he once wore gold worth tens of thousands, he famously gave it up during Hurricane Katrina, saying it felt wrong to flaunt wealth when others were suffering.
His richest asset has never been money—it’s his integrity and the cultural legacy that still earns admiration worldwide.
The Birth of “Mr. T”
After college, Laurence worked as a bodyguard and bouncer for Chicago clubs, protecting celebrities and politicians. He began to build his signature look: the gold chains symbolizing his African heritage and a mohawk inspired by Mandinka warriors. The persona wasn’t an act—it was armor.
He soon legally changed his name to Mr. T to command respect. As he famously said, “When I was a boy, my father, my brothers, all called boys. When I became a man, I said, ‘No man is gonna call me boy. From now on, call me Mr. T.’”
Breaking into Hollywood
Mr. T’s first big break arrived in 1982 when Sylvester Stallone spotted him on a television contest called America’s Toughest Bouncer. Stallone immediately cast him as Clubber Lang, the ferocious opponent in Rocky III.
Lang’s snarl—“I pity the fool!”—became one of the most quoted lines in movie history, even though Mr. T never actually said those exact words in the film. Overnight, he transformed from bodyguard to blockbuster villain.
Soon after, he landed the role that defined his career: B.A. Baracus in the television series The A-Team (1983–1987). The show became a worldwide hit, and Mr. T’s image—chains, mohawk, and muscles—became a cultural phenomenon.
A Battle with Cancer: Faith Tested, Strength Proven
In 1995, Mr. T faced one of his toughest fights—not in a boxing ring but in a hospital room. He was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of cancer that attacked his immune system.
For years, he underwent treatments and battled fatigue, pain, and uncertainty. Yet, true to form, he approached it with the same courage that defined his screen roles.
He once joked that cancer “met its match,” but behind the humor was unwavering faith. “God gave me a tough body and a tough mind,” he said. “I don’t quit.”
His recovery became another chapter in his inspirational journey—proof that even the toughest heroes can be vulnerable, and even vulnerability can be powerful.
Faith, Humility, and Purpose
Mr. T’s Christian faith has always been at the center of his life. After surviving cancer, he turned down offers that didn’t align with his values, focusing instead on helping others and spreading positive messages.
He gave away many of his gold chains during Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, explaining that wearing them while people were suffering felt wrong. That act summed him up perfectly—symbolic strength turned into real compassion.
Life Lessons from Mr. T
- Respect Starts with Self-Respect.
Mr. T built his image around dignity. By insisting on being called “Mr.,” he reminded people that self-worth begins with self-respect. - Strength Means Helping Others.
His roles and real life both emphasize protecting those who can’t protect themselves. - Faith Carries You Through.
Whether facing poverty or cancer, he leaned on faith and perseverance instead of bitterness. - Authenticity Never Goes Out of Style.
Even as trends shifted, Mr. T stayed true to who he was—chains, mohawk, and all.
Personal Life
Mr. T has always kept his personal life relatively private. He married Phyllis Clark early in his career, and together they raised three children. Their marriage eventually ended, but the actor often speaks lovingly of his kids and credits them with keeping him humble.
His daughter, Erica Clark, became a stand-up comedian, inheriting his humor and work ethic. Mr. T, a devoted Christian, remains deeply connected to his family and community. He attributes his stability to his strong upbringing and faith, saying, “Fame fades—but family, that’s forever.”
Professional Life
Mr. T’s career began far from Hollywood. After college, he worked as a bouncer and then as a bodyguard for celebrities such as Muhammad Ali and Michael Jackson. His size, demeanor, and sense of justice made him a natural protector.
His big break came when Sylvester Stallone noticed him on NBC’s America’s Toughest Bouncer and cast him as Clubber Lang in Rocky III (1982). That snarl—“I pity the fool”—instantly cemented his fame.
In 1983, he became B.A. Baracus on The A-Team, a role that transformed him into a global phenomenon. Beyond acting, Mr. T embraced wrestling, motivational speaking, and children’s programs, always infusing entertainment with positive values.
Height and Physical Appearance
He stands just over 5 feet 10 inches, weighs in at roughly 231 pounds and radiates an aura of raw power; a patient midwife might mistake him for an oak tree. His trademark Mohawk hairstyle, modeled after the African Mandinka warriors, provided him with a unique appearance that represented pride and solidarity.
With his swooping wave of black hair, and those gold chains piled on top one another, he looked dangerous and decent at the same time — a street-wise sentinel instead of a bully. And in his 70s, that sexy muscularity endures — evidence that discipline never retires.
Children
Mr. T is a proud father of three children. His daughter Erica Clark is the most publicly known, carving out a career in stand-up comedy and radio. His other children have stayed largely out of the spotlight, reflecting his respect for privacy.
Despite his tough-guy image, Mr. T often melts when talking about his family. “My kids are my trophies,” he once said. “They remind me every day of why I had to be strong.” His protective instincts extend beyond the screen—they’re part of who he is.
Early Life and Background
Laurence Tureaud was born on Chicago’s south side in 1952, the youngest of twelve children. His father, Nathaniel Tureaud Sr., was a minister who abandoned the family when Laurence was a child. Raised by his mother in a housing project, he grew up around poverty and violence but wouldn’t allow either to define him.
He frequently attributes his moral compass to his mother, for her resilience: “She kept us fed, clothed and prayed over. She was harder than any man I have ever known.” Sports became his vent, and his competitive spirit was there from the start.
Education
Mr. T attended Dunbar Vocational High School, excelling in football, wrestling, and martial arts. His athleticism earned him a scholarship to Prairie View A&M University in Texas, where he studied mathematics and played football. He left after a year, realizing that his ambitions lay beyond academics.
While he didn’t earn a degree, his discipline from sports and military service shaped his philosophy: education doesn’t always come from classrooms—it comes from commitment and integrity.
Final Word
The story of Mr. T is a lesson in durability. He grew from poverty to accolades without sacrificing humility, confronted illness but never abandoned hope, turned celebrity into a service. His financial net worth may quantify one type of success but his real wealth transcends the monetary.
In a world predicated on flash, Mr. T is proof that substance is still an invaluable trait — toughness tempered by kindness. What he left us continues to inspire generations for whom his thundering spoken words never seem to die: “I pity the fool who gives up.
FAQs
1. What is Mr. T’s real name?
His real name is Laurence Tureaud.
2. When was Mr. T born?
He was born on May 21, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois.
3. What is Mr. T famous for?
He is best known for playing Clubber Lang in Rocky III and B.A. Baracus in The A-Team.
4. Is Mr. T married?
He was formerly married to Phyllis Clark; they share three children.
5. What is Mr. T net worth in 2025?
Approximately $1 million.
6. Did Mr. T have cancer?
Yes. He battled and survived T-cell lymphoma in the 1990s.
