Mr. T is a damn hero.

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For many men my age, Mr T had a special place in their childhood. He was at once a jester and a knight; while undeniably goofy and laughable (saved only from accusations of racial mockery by dint of Murdock being even loopier) he also set high standards for nobility, loyalty and bravery to aim for.

Before the A-Team, Laurence Turaud was a wrestler, and known for wearing $300 000 worth of gold jewelry to signify his slave heritage and a mohawk haircut (the inspiration for which came from National Geographic) in deference to his African origin. He starred opposite Sly Stallone in Rocky III, where his catchphrase "I pity the fool" originated.

As B. A. Baracus he became a hero to many kids, resulting in the easily-mocked but adorably upbeat confidence-building video he produced, a choice excerpt of which can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/v/eG5DeiZBDgM&hl=en&fs=1

You can laugh! I certainly did. But at the same time I'm in awe of the man's honest, upright optimism. Through the wobbly lines of '80s VHS the passion and sincerity of his values shines through in every golden glint and every blistering glare.

In '95 he was diagnosed with a form of cancer called T-Cell Lymphoma, which really begs for all manner of tasteless Internat gaggery with heavy use of the Impact font, and he beat that down like he would any damn fool. This interview with him is almost unbearably saccharine and soft-focus daytime television, but the man's presence clearly hasn't faded one bit.

He still believes in doing right, and not taking no crap from no damn fools. He still preaches hope, confidence, honesty and respect. He ay be a bit of a clown, but if more clowns were as awesome as this guy, maybe I wouldn't be so goddamn terrified of them.

Although seeing him playing Santa for Nancy Reagan in '83 does creep me out just a smidge.