Netflix's latest installment of the "Untold" sports-adjacent documentary series, "Untold Mr. T: I Pity the Fool," delves into the extravagant persona and lesser-known life events of the 1980s icon.

The documentary, which clocks in at 48 minutes, explores Mr. T's brief but impactful superstardom that began with his role as boxer Clubber Lang in the 1982 film "Rocky III." While the series highlights his iconic look and catchphrases, it also touches upon his own recent criticism of the documentary, with Mr. T calling it "garbage" in an interview with The Guardian.

Early Life and Defining Moments

Born Laurence Tureaud, Mr. T grew up on Chicago's South Side with 11 siblings. The documentary touches on a pivotal moment from his youth: confronting the two men who assaulted his mother and stole her welfare money. In his autobiography, "Mr. T: The Man with the Gold," he admitted to seeking vengeance with a shotgun, describing the experience as being "insane, like an out-of-body thing."

The Road to Stardom

Before his acting career, Mr. T worked as a bouncer and security guard. His appearance on the 1980-81 NBC series "Games People Play," specifically in the "America's Best Bouncer" segment, caught the attention of Sylvester Stallone. His documented feats of strength, including running through doors and tossing men, impressed Stallone and led to his casting in "Rocky III."

During his peak fame in the 1980s, Mr. T became a ubiquitous presence. He starred as B.A. Baracus in "The A-Team," had a Saturday morning cartoon series, and appeared in commercials for products ranging from Snickers to breakfast cereal. He also became a spokesman for First Lady Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" anti-drug campaign.

Demands and Personal Life

The documentary also reveals some of Mr. T's specific demands during his height of fame. His former agent, Peter Young, stated that Mr. T requested a white limo for public appearances and numerous bottles of Calgon Bouquet for his baths, asserting it was a matter of respect. While Mr. T himself does not offer much of a rebuttal to these claims in the documentary, he reportedly asked Netflix not to interview Young.

Health and Later Life

In 1995, Mr. T was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of cancer. He underwent chemotherapy treatments and survived the illness. The documentary also explores his deep religious faith, showing him interacting with his pastor and reading scripture. In his later life, Mr. T has expressed a more humble outlook, stating he doesn't want to become "cocky" and is moved by fan adoration, even becoming emotional while interacting with fans at the Dallas Fan Expo.