This is a special week. A very, very special week. Mr. T–pity-er fools and protector of teen gymnasts–turned 57 this week. Yes, the man who blew up half of L.A.’s automobiles as B.A. Baracus on The A-Team is inching closer and closer to senior citizenship. It seems like only yesterday that the mighty mohawk was terrifying young children everywhere as he hurled fists and threats at Rocky. It feels like I was fighting for the underdog with my T action figure just last week. Okay, that was last week… but I drank a whole pitcher of Hi-C and some fool My Little Pony punks needed pitying.

Anyway, with Mr. T only appearing on TV these days to hawk is Flavor Wave Turbo (it sounds more titillating than it is), I thought it would be nice to take a nice YouTube trip down memory lane with some rockin’ Mr. T clips.

Penitentiary II (1982)

While not the star of the film, Mr. T makes an impression in his film debut… as himself. Mr. T don’t need no fake name! While not the star of Penitentiary II, or the trailer below, he makes his mark beating the heck out protagonist, Too Sweet. Yes, that is the character’s name. Yes, he is, indeed, too sweet. Watch for Mr.T  around the 48 second mark.

Be Somebody… Or Be Somebody’s Fool! (1984)

Wow. Words escape me. Watch Mr. T… er, I mean Dr. T, as he tells the youth of the 80’s to stay off drugs and to wear weight-lifting belts wherever they go. Note the righteous break-dancing action at the 5-minute mark.

Mr. T (1983-85)

Besides his Clubber Lang character from Rocky II, this is how I remember Mr. T best–as a jean vest-wearing chaperon of a teenage gymnastic team. Of course, like any group of teens led by a freaky, shirtless, mohawk dude, they foiled crimes more often than competing in gymnastics.

Diff’rent Strokes (1983)

In this episode of Diff’rent Strokes, Mr. T shows up to terrify a white family who bought black orphans to feel more progressive. The paper-thin premise has something to do with a film shoot that requires the Drummond family’s apartment. But that’s not really important–T is wearing leopard print! Zoinks! In the end, Gary Coleman dresses like Mr. T and every laughs.

Snickers Speed Walker Ad (2008)

Apparently, Snickers had to pull this ad from the UK airwaves for being insensitive to homosexuals. I guess, the UK has never seen speedwalkers race. Regardless of the UK’s bunched-panties, this ad is quite funny and it shows how gracefully Mr. T has aged.

Phew! That should be enough Mr. T until next year. Now I have to get back to my Mr. T action figure and some sneaky-looking Wuzzles that, you know, need some pitying.