Mr. T Mourns Nancy Reagan On Twitter
By Rachel Cromidas in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 8, 2016 3:38PM
At the height of the actor and South Side native Mr. T's fame, he appeared in a Reagan-era anti-drug campaign spot and played Santa while then-First Lady Nancy Reagan sat on his knee.
A day after Reagan passed away at 94 this week, Mr. T, born Lawrence Turead, paid tribute to the former first lady in a series of heartfelt Tweets, in which he said the iconic "Just Say No" campaign was the "highlight" of his career:
I mourn the death of First Lady Nancy Reagan, who was Very Special to me….
— Mr. T (@MrT) March 7, 2016
@MrT Said it before: I miss the 80's!!!!
— frankie smith (@franksamillion) March 8, 2016
…she then asked me to help her with her “Just Say No” program which I gladly accepted with humility and honor….
— Mr. T (@MrT) March 7, 2016
…That was the highlight of my career to be asked to work with the First Family on such a great cause. It wasn’t political because...
— Mr. T (@MrT) March 7, 2016
…I am not a Republican nor am I a Democrat….
— Mr. T (@MrT) March 7, 2016
…But I am just a Christian Brother from the Hood trying to do some good! I will truly miss First Lady Nancy Reagan....
— Mr. T (@MrT) March 7, 2016
…I will Never Forget her….
— Mr. T (@MrT) March 7, 2016
…I will continue her work in trying to keep kids from the Dangers of Drugs. GOD Bless You First Lady.
— Mr. T (@MrT) March 7, 2016
In addition to his role in the iconic anti-drug campaign, Mr. T met the Reagans at the White House on December, 1983, during which he wore a Santa Claus costume and 23 pounds-worth of his signature jewelery. Mr. T will be a guest at Reagan's funeral this Friday.