We've been speculating since Season 23 wrapped up, and now the time has finally come to cover which celebrities are actually competing on Dancing with the Stars Season 24.
So let's start with the American icon known as Mr. T.
DWTS Pro: Kym Johnson
Most Known For: Mr. T Cereal, the Mr. T cartoon, Clubber Lang in Rocky III, BA Baracus on the A-Team, phrases like "I pity the fool", gold chains, mohawks, and general toughness
Age: 64
1. He's Got the Moves
If you were fortunate enough to have watched "Mr. T: Be Somebody" when it first aired, then you understand clearly that Mr. T has got some good moves. Fully willing to test drive some classic pop and lock hip hop skills.
2. He's an Icon
The term "icon" gets thrown around a bit (see: Vanilla Ice), but when it comes to pop culture, Mr. T is a mohawked mainstay.
3. He Eats Hard Work for Breakfast
Dancing with the Stars is hard work. While the casual observer might focus on the costumes or choreography, the celebrities that embrace the manic pace and practice schedule rise to the top. While we have yet to see how he'll do with the ballroom dancing, Mr T will not be lacking for hard work.
As evidenced in his twitter feed.
1. His Name is Lawrence
Mr. T, born Lawrence Tureaud, switched to the current persona "Mr. T" when he became the bouncer after his discharge from the military.
2. He Has Some Legendary Stories
Mr T could very well be the Paul Bunyan of this era. One story, via his Wikipedia page, is that while in the military he was disciplined by his platoon sergeant and ordered to chop down trees. Since the number of trees wasn't mentioned, Mr T chopped down over 70 trees until a shocked commanding officer suspended the sergeants orders.
3. He Was a Bodyguard
Prior to his work on hit shows like the A-Team, or his iconic role as Clubber Lang in Rocky III, Mr T was a full fledged bodyguard with clients like Michael Jackson, Muhammed Ali, Diana Ross, and Steve McQueen.
4. The Discovery
Sylvester Stallone discovered Mr. T while watching him compete on a nationally televised "America's Toughest Bouncer" competition. He was cast in Rocky III. Originally slated for just a few lines, Mr. T's role became Clubber Lang, the primary antagonist to Rocky Balboa.
5. He's a Survivor
In 1995, Mr. T was diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphoma. The cancer was treated, but it later returned and he continues to fight it, and help others struggling with that fight, to this day.
"If you don't remind me that I have cancer then I won't remember either, because I am too busy living. If you see me, please come by and shake my hand; give me a hug, a thumbs-up or a high five; take a photo with me, or let's do lunch, because cancer ain't contagious. That would really make my day."
Whatever dance skill Mr. T has, or is lacking, doesn't matter one bit. The platform of Dancing with the Stars will certainly magnify his story of hard work, and his inspirational message that so many people can benefit from. Sure, there will be plenty of "I pity the fool" jokes, and maybe even some gold chains, but behind the persona of Mr. T there is a man named Lawrence, youngest son in a family of 12, who beat the odds and wants others to do the same.
We are rooting for him.
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