By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor

Mr. T, 80s pop culture icon, is just one of the celebrities you’ll find at FAN EXPO Philadelphia, the annual celebration of comics, science fiction, horror, anime, gaming and more. “The A-Team” and “Rocky III” star spoke with reporters at a special reception in advance of this weekend’s convention.

“I am honored to be here. I’m honored to meet the fans. I’m honored to talk to y’all,” said Mr. T during a group interview at Aloft Hotel in Philadelphia.

The Chicago-born bouncer and body guard turned actor and professional wrestler reflected on being back in Philadelphia, the setting for “Rocky III,” the film that propelled his career.

“This is unbelievable. I don’t know really how Dorothy felt in the Wizard of Oz, but I remember they called me,” explained Mr. T. “It was like a fantasy. I said, ‘Wow, I’m in this movie.'”

With his fame, Mr. T had an opportunity to share his positive message to the world, even visiting The White House to help the First Lady “Say No To Drugs.” A devout Christian, Mr. T continues to live by example, showing how from humble beginnings and poverty, you can rise above your circumstances.

“I look at my career, it was an opportunity; to give hope to other people, let them know I didn’t forget where I come from. I came from welfare. I wouldn’t steal. I wouldn’t snatch a purse. And that’s the message I’m telling kids now. Don’t let nobody punk you out to make you believe that you got to do something illegal to prove you a man.”

He also stressed how important it was to be humble, even with all the accolades.

“Every time somebody say, ‘Oh, you the man! You’re an icon!’ you have to put humble in front of that. That keeps me together. Today, I’m gonna’ go home and take a shower, not because I’m germophobic or whatever. I’m gonna take a shower to wash all the adulation off, because it’d be so easy to get caught up in it.”

But ultimately, he just wants to make his mother proud.

“I’m just an old-fashioned tough mama’s boy,” said Mr. T. “When I was nine years old, I drew a picture on a piece of paper, came home from school. I said, ‘Mama, one of these days I’m going to be big and strong. I’m going to be a football player and a boxer. I’m going to buy you a beautiful house, Mama, and I’m going to buy you pretty dresses.’ My mother started crying and hugged me. I was up to her hips. She said, ‘if that’s the Lord’s will.’ All my life, I said, I’m going to do this for my mother. And that’s what I did. So if I never do nothing else in Hollywood, all I ever wanted to do in my life was take care of my mother. And in the process of me taking care of my mother, I had the opportunity to take care of other mothers.”

FAN EXPO Philadelphia is held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St. in Philadelphia. Remaining show hours are Saturday, May 30, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday, May 31, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.