3f:I[185,["/_next/static/chunks/3xnt26d00_zk-.js","/_next/static/chunks/2aeejfufo02km.js","/_next/static/chunks/42spz6paskvb6.js","/_next/static/chunks/06x30xgfe6iur.js","/_next/static/chunks/2qm8z4gyuajgj.js","/_next/static/chunks/3jnlvw-emqotx.js"],"SendEmailButton"] 41:I[63625,["/_next/static/chunks/3xnt26d00_zk-.js","/_next/static/chunks/2aeejfufo02km.js","/_next/static/chunks/42spz6paskvb6.js","/_next/static/chunks/06x30xgfe6iur.js","/_next/static/chunks/2qm8z4gyuajgj.js","/_next/static/chunks/3jnlvw-emqotx.js"],"AddToLibraryButton"] 42:I[29721,["/_next/static/chunks/3xnt26d00_zk-.js","/_next/static/chunks/2aeejfufo02km.js","/_next/static/chunks/42spz6paskvb6.js","/_next/static/chunks/06x30xgfe6iur.js","/_next/static/chunks/2qm8z4gyuajgj.js","/_next/static/chunks/3jnlvw-emqotx.js"],"ShareButton"] 43:I[58016,["/_next/static/chunks/3xnt26d00_zk-.js","/_next/static/chunks/2aeejfufo02km.js","/_next/static/chunks/42spz6paskvb6.js","/_next/static/chunks/06x30xgfe6iur.js","/_next/static/chunks/2qm8z4gyuajgj.js","/_next/static/chunks/3jnlvw-emqotx.js"],"ProcessEpisodeButton"] 44:I[45269,["/_next/static/chunks/3xnt26d00_zk-.js","/_next/static/chunks/2aeejfufo02km.js","/_next/static/chunks/42spz6paskvb6.js","/_next/static/chunks/06x30xgfe6iur.js","/_next/static/chunks/2qm8z4gyuajgj.js","/_next/static/chunks/3jnlvw-emqotx.js"],"SignupCTA"] 39:["$","div",null,{"className":"flex flex-wrap items-center gap-x-4 gap-y-1 font-mono text-[12px] uppercase tracking-[0.1em] text-[color:var(--fg-3)]","children":[["$","time",null,{"dateTime":"2026-07-22T07:02:00.000Z","children":"July 22, 2026"}],["$","span",null,{"aria-hidden":true,"children":"·"}],["$","span",null,{"children":"00:09:29"}],false]}] 40:T40f,

On this episode of Our American Stories, Lawrence Tureaud grew up as the youngest of 12 children in Chicago's public housing, where his mother taught him to work hard, trust God, and treat others with respect. After serving in the U.S. Army, working as a nightclub bouncer, and winning a national competition, he caught Sylvester Stallone's attention and landed the role that introduced the world to Mr. T.

The man behind the gold chains and Mohawk built his famous persona around lessons from his family, his Christian faith, and a belief that every man deserved respect. Greg Hengler shares the story of one of America's most recognizable pop culture icons.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.