Comedian Erica Nicole Clark has built her career on sharp, unfiltered stand-up, but behind the mic, she’s often hesitant to reveal one thing: her famous dad is Mr. T.
Clark, 46, has joked that telling people she was the daughter of the A-Team star rarely went over well when she was younger. “Most people think I’m lying when I say that, but I’m like, why would I pick him?” she told the crowd during a recent set for Don’t Tell Comedy.
The Chicago native explained that growing up, reactions swung from total belief to outright disbelief, depending on the setting. In her wealthy suburban neighborhood, classmates accepted it without question. But when her family lived on the South Side, the story didn’t land the same way.
“I’m a Black kid in an all-Black school, and I’m trying to explain to my friends that the reason why they’ve never seen my dad before is ’cause he’s doing WrestleMania with Hulk Hogan,” she said to People, referencing Mr. T’s 1985 tag-team match alongside the late wrestler.
Even her teachers doubted her, leaving Clark with a lasting impression. “I got this complex — and this is for real, my friends will tell you,” she shared. “If I’m on stage, I’ll talk about my dad, but I never tell people who my dad is or stuff I’ve seen because no one ever believes me.”
Clark is one of three children Mr. T, born Laurence Tureaud, shares with his ex-wife, Phyllis Clark. While her siblings, Lesa Tureaud and Laurence Jr., maintain private lives, Erica eventually gravitated toward entertainment after years of teaching special education.
Her comedy, though, has been entirely her own hustle. “Being my dad can only get me in the door,” she said. “You still have to be funny. They’re not going to keep putting you on stage because of who you’re related to.”
As for Mr. T himself, the gold-chain-wearing icon has never been eager for his daughter to follow in his footsteps. “He wants me to be a nice teacher and get married and have kids. He doesn’t want me to do entertainment at all,” she admitted.