Is Mr T Still Alive? A Look inside the Famous Personality's Life Now
Many of Mr. T's fans have wondered if he is still alive, as the actor has stayed from the spotlight and on movie sets over the years. However, the "I Pity the Fool" star has often turned to social media to keep busy and made an unexpected appearance on "Dancing with the Stars."
Throughout the 1980s and '90s, Mr. T made a name for himself as a Hollywood tough guy and shared the silver screen with other entertainment heavyweights such as Sylvester Stallone and Hulk Hogan.
However, in more recent years, Mr. T fans have not only wondered if he's still alive, but they have also shown an interest in what the actor has been up to.
Mr. T at the Team USA Awards on April 26, 2018, in Washington, DC. | Source: Getty Images
Where is Mr. T Now?
In April 2020, during the pandemic, Laurence Tureaud, better known as "Mr.T," donned sportswear and a salt-and-pepper beard as he was photographing leaving his home near Los Angeles for a grocery run and to check his mailbox.
Over the years, Mr T has taken to social media to share pictures of his life, and it can be seen that the actor has changed during all these years. His image of a strong and tough man has given way to a less aggressive and more in line with his activities as a motivational speaker.
In 2015, Mr. T took a break from acting and — despite claiming he couldn't dance — joined the cast of "Dancing with the Stars."
Mr. T at the grand opening of The Bod by Kym Herjavec on May 19, 2017, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Since the pandemic, Mr. T has remained active on Instagram and Twitter and utilized the platforms to encourage people to be careful.
In May 2020, the actor posted a video on his Twitter reminding followers to wear face masks, and in April of that year, he penned a thank-you note to healthcare workers for their tireless work during the difficult time.
Mr. T also takes to Twitter to share daily thoughts and quotes with his followers, and more recently, in August of this year, the actor tweeted a Bible verse that read, "'My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.' Philippians 4:19 #ThursdayMood (sic)."
Mr. T leaving his "Good Morning America" taping on April 11, 2017, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
What is Mr. T Doing Now?
In 2015, Mr. T took a break from acting and — despite claiming he couldn't dance — joined the cast of "Dancing with the Stars." The African-American actor partnered with Kym Herjavec, and the pair quickly became fan favorites.
However, when their journey on the hit dancing show ended — and they left the stage to a touching standing ovation — Mr. T denied any claims that he and Herjavec were "booted" off the show. The actor said:
"We didn't get booted off. We gradually eased off. Ain't nobody going to boot Mr. T off. As a competitor, we left it on the dance floor like we're supposed to. We walked off with grace and style."
Mr. T and Kym Herjavec during an episode of "Dancing with the Stars" on April 10, 2017. | Source: Getty Images
Although Mr. T claimed he wasn't gifted with rhythm on the dance floor, he revealed that he pursued "Dancing with the Stars" anyway, and the self-proclaimed "mama's boy" had plans of giving a portion of the winning prize to the St. Jude and Shriners Hospitals if he had won.
A few years later, Mr. T stepped back in front of the camera when he sat down with veteran journalist and television personality Al Roker, as well as Tamron Hall, Willie Geist, and Natalie Morales, for an interview on "TODAY."
The actor shared his plans to do good for communities in need with his home-improvement show, "I Pity the Fool," which aimed to help veterans and "other people in Chicago ... who needed some help."
During the interview, Mr. T sported a youthful glow and his signature mohawk, and when asked how he maintained his timeless look, the actor joked, "It's God. God and makeup."
Mr. T during the Comedy Central, TVLand, Nick and Nickelodeon Summer 2006 TCA Press Tour in Pasadena, California. | Source: Getty Images
More recently, in May 2023, Mr. T appeared on a Christian program and opened up about his journey with religion. Mr. T admitted:
"If I didn't have God, I wouldn't be here. I'd be in prison; I'd be going off on people and stuff like that."
Mr. T revealed that he struggled to accept certain aspects of Christianity, such as forgiving, as being tough was second nature for him after growing up in the "hood."
However, his former "Dancing with the Stars" dance partner revealed that while Mr. T stood for "tough," it also stood for "tender." "He does have that tender side. He's like a teddy bear," Herjavec said. "I'm nothing but a big, overgrown, tough, butt-kicking, God-loving mama's boy," Mr. T added.
Mr. T and Kym Herjavec at the "Dancing with the Stars" Season 24 cast announcement and press junket on March 1, 2017, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Mr. T Is a Father of Three
According to reports, Mr. T and his wife, Phyllis Clark, tied the knot in 1971. During their more than five decades of marriage, the couple welcomed three children: Lesa, Erika, and T Junior, who grew up in Lake Forest, an affluent Chicago suburb.
While little is known about his other children, in 2015, Mr. T's daughter, Erika, made headlines for her decade-long work with children with Autism and Down syndrome. However, The "Rocky III" star's daughter eventually followed him into the entertainment industry and pursued a career as a stand-up comedian.