When I was growing up, my family was so poor we couldn't afford to pay attention.

I used to bodyguard for Muhammad Ali, Leon Spinks, Sugar Ray Leonard. I used to bodyguard a lot of diamond merchants; I would travel with a suitcase full of diamonds and take them from point A to point B. My reputation grew because I was a professional. I did my job, and I was courteous - a no-nonsense guy.

If you look at my job, my union card, it says 'actor.' It don't say nothing about celebrity, movie star, nothing like that, and that's one thing that keeps me humble.

Mr. T. been to chemo, Mr. T been to radiation, hair fall out... but he's back. Now I can give hope when I go to the hospital, see the sick kids with cancer, tell them, don't quit.