Mr. T Shares the Four Simple Words Sylvester Stallone Said to Him on “Rocky III” Set to Boost His Confidence as a Novice Actor (Exclusive)

Mr. T Remembers His Breakthrough Role in Rocky III

Mr. T, the iconic actor and television personality, recently reflected on a pivotal moment in his career that he credits to the legendary Sylvester Stallone. Speaking ahead of the premiere of Netflix’s documentary, *Untold: Mr. T – I Pity The Fool*, the 74-year-old actor shared insights into how he was discovered and the trust Stallone placed in him during the making of *Rocky III*.

The opportunity for Mr. T arose when Stallone came across him on an early reality television show, *Games People Play*. Stallone recalled his initial impressions of Mr. T, stating, “I had seen him on *Games People Play* and I’ve heard some of the stories about this guy. Imagine how he was brutal, so on and so forth. He had this look and everything started to click.” This led Stallone to seek Mr. T for a role in the film, a decision that would change the latter’s life forever.

At the time, Mr. T was still primarily known as a bodyguard, and he truly appreciated the chance to transition into acting. He reminisced about receiving a call notifying him that Stallone wanted him for *Rocky III*. “When they called me about it,” he explained, “first they called me congratulating me for winning the show. She told me that [Stallone] had saw it. I said, ‘Of course, I know him. I watched *Rocky I* and *Rocky II*.’ She said, ‘He wants to put you in III.’ I said, ‘I’m on it!’”

In preparing for the audition, Mr. T faced a challenge: the character was initially conceived as Jamaican. Concerned about how this would affect his performance, he immersed himself in reggae music. However, he was later informed that Stallone preferred him to portray his authentic self. After a brief exchange with Stallone at the audition, Mr. T felt a wave of honour wash over him, saying, “Whether you hire me or not, I am honoured that you considered me.”

After returning to Chicago, the confirmation came the following Monday that he had landed the role. “You tell Sly that, for whatever reason he picked me, I’m going to give him 150% every day,” he pledged upon receiving the news.

Mr. T dedicated himself fully to the training regimen that would prepare him for the role of Clubber Lang. Over two intense months, he displayed an extraordinary work ethic, which did not go unnoticed by Stallone. “He said, ‘I like what you’re doing. If you make a mistake, we’ve got miles of film. Don’t worry about nothing. I want you to be you,’” Mr. T recalled. This reassurance was instrumental in helping him perform confidently.

Stallone’s faith in Mr. T came despite the latter’s lack of acting experience, with Stallone reportedly insisting on him being the right fit against the producers’ wishes for a more seasoned actor. Mr. T noted this special encouragement helped foster a strong bond between him and Stallone. “He had confidence. He believed in me. This is big money going up, so I had to come through. And I did,” he said.

Reflecting on the experience, Mr. T touched on how it paved the way for his future in the industry. After the film’s release, he received significant recognition, with executives from NBC noticing his performance and eagerly seeking new projects for him. “The president of NBC at the time had seen the dailies… He said, ‘I want you to get ready to write a story or something. This big Black guy coming out in *Rocky III* and he’s going to be a hit’,” Mr. T recounted.

This pivotal moment led to his iconic role in *The A-Team*, further establishing his place in television and popular culture. Mr. T’s journey serves as a testament to the impact of belief and mentorship within the entertainment industry.

With the release of *Untold: Mr. T – I Pity The Fool* on Netflix, audiences can expect an in-depth look at the life of the actor beyond his role in *Rocky III*. The documentary promises to explore both the triumphs and challenges that have characterised Mr. T’s storied career, as well as the lessons he has learned along the way. As he continues to share his experiences, Mr. T remains a figure of resilience and determination, inspiring many in and out of the spotlight.