Mr. T Finally Names the Six Actors He Hated the Most: The Untold Stories of Hollywood’s Most Explosive Feuds

Mr. T, TV’s toughest icon, became a household name in the 1980s thanks to his role as the indomitable B.A. Baracus on The A-Team. With his mohawk, gold chains, and the famous catchphrase “I pity the fool,” Mr. T’s persona exuded power and defiance. But while his toughness was legendary on-screen, it wasn’t just his co-stars he clashed with—it was the very actors he worked alongside that made Hollywood a battlefield.

For decades, fans have speculated about the tension behind the scenes of some of Hollywood’s most iconic films and TV shows. Now, at the height of his career, Mr. T has finally revealed the truth about the actors he couldn’t stand. From explosive on-set fights to bruised egos, here are the six actors Mr. T hated the most—and the stories Hollywood tried to keep quiet.

1. Sylvester Stallone: From Rivalry to Respect

It all began before Rocky III (1982) even hit theaters. In the mid-1970s, Mr. T was working as a security guard for heavyweight champion Leon Spinks when Sylvester Stallone showed up, demanding to meet the boxer. Mr. T, not knowing who Stallone was, blocked his entry.

“I don’t care who you are,” Mr. T recalled. “My job’s to protect the champ.”

The standoff between the two would stick with Stallone, who years later, remembered the encounter when writing Rocky III. He cast Mr. T as Clubber Lang, and the two would ignite a battle of egos on and off the set.

Despite the intense rivalry, the chemistry between Stallone and Mr. T made the film a hit. But tensions remained throughout production. Mr. T, with his raw instinct, clashed with Stallone’s perfectionism. The explosive actor was known to stay in character long after “cut” was called, a stark contrast to Stallone’s disciplined approach.

While Stallone later praised Mr. T’s power on-screen, he admitted that the attention Mr. T received was frustrating. He had built the Rocky franchise, but suddenly, everyone wanted to talk about his villain.

In the end, the feud cooled into mutual respect. Stallone even admitted, “He was the most powerful co-star I ever had.” Mr. T, ever blunt, responded, “Time heals everything. I respect him for giving me my shot.”

2. George Peppard: Old Hollywood vs. New Energy

George Peppard, the seasoned veteran and star of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, was used to being the center of attention. On The A-Team, Peppard played Colonel Hannibal Smith, the leader of the team. But when Mr. T arrived, the dynamics shifted, and Peppard’s old-school approach collided with Mr. T’s raw energy and larger-than-life presence.

Peppard believed in hierarchy and respect for seniority—a mindset that didn’t sit well with Mr. T. Despite the public adoration for Mr. T’s catchphrases and swagger, Peppard resented being overshadowed by the newcomer’s rise to fame.

“I pity the fool,” was not just Mr. T’s catchphrase—it was his attitude towards anyone who tried to push him around. Peppard, frustrated by Mr. T’s growing popularity, began criticizing his acting style, calling it nothing more than “shouting.”

Their relationship reached a breaking point when Peppard was outraged by Mr. T’s salary increase. Mr. T’s popularity had soared, and as the audience favorite, he began receiving a larger paycheck. The tension between the two actors was palpable, and when Mr. T confronted Peppard over his comments, it led to an explosive standoff.

Peppard retreated to his trailer, refusing to engage. The pair never truly reconciled. After Peppard’s death in 1994, Mr. T remained silent about the loss, stating simply, “We were from different worlds. Only one of us could lead.”

3. Melinda Culea: Ambition vs. Efficiency

When Melinda Culea joined The A-Team as reporter Amy Allen, she was the only woman on the set, a dynamic that brought its own challenges. While Mr. T, always focused on efficiency, was happy with the show’s formula, Culea had different ideas. She was ambitious and wanted her character to be more than just a passive observer. She pushed for more action, demanding rewrites that would give her character more involvement.

However, Mr. T’s patience wore thin with Culea’s constant demands. He believed in the show’s success and was reluctant to tamper with a winning formula.

“We got the best gig in Hollywood. Why mess with what’s working?” he famously said.

As Culea pushed for more complex scenes, the tension between her and Mr. T escalated. Eventually, she was quietly written out of the show, her character disappearing with no fanfare.

Years later, Mr. T summed up his philosophy about the conflict with a blunt statement: “If you complain too much, you don’t last long in this business.” Culea, on the other hand, found a new path through writing and occasional guest roles, never fully reconciling with Mr. T.

4. Dirk Benedict: The Peacemaker Who Couldn’t Stand Mr. T’s Raw Energy

Dirk Benedict, known for his role as Templeton “Faceman” Peck on The A-Team, was the peacemaker among the show’s volatile personalities. He valued balance, discipline, and teamwork—qualities that were often in conflict with Mr. T’s instinctive, no-holds-barred approach.

At first, Benedict admired Mr. T’s raw magnetism, but soon, the clash of their energies became clear. Mr. T’s push for action and intensity often overshadowed the more measured style Benedict preferred.

“Fans don’t want to see talk, they want to see me kicking butt,” Mr. T declared during a rehearsal, which didn’t sit well with Benedict, who argued that “if all you do is fight, it stops meaning anything.”

Their relationship never truly thawed, though they worked together professionally. Benedict later admitted that he learned to stay in his lane when it came to Mr. T. Despite the differences, their on-screen chemistry made The A-Team iconic.

5. James Caan: Method Acting vs. Raw Charisma

James Caan, a method actor, was known for his intense preparation and focus on emotional depth. Mr. T, on the other hand, preferred to work on instinct and presence. This difference became evident during a TV crime drama in the mid-1980s, where the two were cast together.

Caan, who had done his homework and come prepared, was frustrated by Mr. T’s seemingly unprepared approach.

“I don’t need no school to play a man,” Mr. T responded. “I am the man.”

During rehearsals, their contrasting styles clashed, especially in emotional scenes. While Caan stayed in character between takes, Mr. T would joke with the crew, turning on and off his intensity like a switch.

Their relationship never recovered, but years later, both men acknowledged that their differences made the film work. Caan described Mr. T as “a good guy, just a different animal.”

6. Carl Weathers: The Clash of Discipline and Instinct

Carl Weathers, known for his precise, methodical approach to acting and his NFL background, was the perfect foil for Mr. T on Rocky III (1982). As Apollo Creed, Weathers had perfected a graceful boxing style, while Mr. T’s character, Clubber Lang, was raw and aggressive.

From the start, Weathers didn’t believe Mr. T was “acting”—he was just being tough. The two clashed during fight scenes, with Weathers pushing for precision and choreography, while Mr. T insisted on a more chaotic, real fight.

“Watch me,” Mr. T said during a sparring session. “That’s how Clubber Lang fights.”

Despite their tension, Rocky III became one of the most iconic films in boxing cinema. But the rivalry between the two never fully dissipated. Weathers later admitted that they were just different breeds, but the friction made their fight scenes feel authentic.

Conclusion: Mr. T’s Unrelenting Commitment to Authenticity

Mr. T’s feuds with these six legendary actors reveal his unwavering commitment to authenticity. He never backed down from standing his ground, whether it was with Stallone’s perfectionism, Peppard’s old-school mentality, or Koula’s ambition. His clashes weren’t always about hatred—they were about principles, respect, and staying true to himself in an industry that often demanded compromise.

As time passed, many of these tensions faded into history, but the stories of Hollywood’s toughest icon remain, illustrating just how far Mr. T was willing to go to pave his own path.

Do you think Mr. T was justified in his conflicts with these actors? Let us know in the comments below! And if you enjoyed this dive into Hollywood’s most explosive feuds, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and stay tuned for more!