Then/Now: The Cast of 'The A-Team'
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The upcoming big screen remake of NBC’s campy series made us wonder… where is the A-Team now? ‘The A-Team’ followed a renegade band of former Special Forces soldiers lead by John "Hannibal" Smith, an unorthodox tactician (played by Liam Neeson in the remake). The show was created around Mr. T as B.A. Baracas (former UFC champ Quinton “Rampage” Jackson portrays him in the new film); the jewelry-loving muscle man saw his star rise with the series’ success. ‘The A-Team’ ran for five seasons on NBC, from 1983 to 1986.
The show is said to have been created around Mr. T, born Laurence Tureaud. The youngest of 12 children, Mr. T got his start in showbiz as a bodyguard protecting stars like Diana Ross and and Michael Jackson. In 1980, the muscle man was discovered by Sylvester Stallone while appearing on NBC's "America's Toughest Bouncer" competition. He went on to play Clubber Lang in "Rocky III." From there, he was cast on "The A-Team." Mr. T played Sgt. B.A. “Bad Attitude” Baracas, the team’s strong man and mechanic. He was the show's breakout star. In 1983, the actor got his own cartoon, ‘Mister T' and in 1984 he released a rap album, children’s video, and starred in ‘The Toughest Man in the World.’
After ‘The A-Team,’ Mr. T starred in the series ‘T and T.’ Diagnosed with T-cell Lymphoma in 1995, Mr. T’s movie and TV career slowed, but he made appearances on ‘Late Night with Conan O’Brien,’ TBN Christian Network and did quite a few commercials. Now 57, Mr. T has pitched for MCI, Snickers, Comcast, the Oregon Lottery, Hitachi and World of Warcraft. In 2008 he sold his "Mr. T Flavorwave Oven" on Shopping TV. In 2006 the actor starred in his own reality show ‘I Pity the Fool,’ and last year voiced a character in the animated feature ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.’ After Hurricane Katrina, the born-again Christian decided not to wear his trademark gold chains, except for commercial appearances. (AP)
Peppard starred alongside Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 movie ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s.’ Other films include ‘How the West was Won’ and ‘The Blue Max.’ In 1981, Peppard was fired from his role as Max Carrington in soap series ‘Dynasty,’ but he ended up scoring a role on ‘The A-Team' as Col. John “Hannibal” Smith. The cigar-chomping leader of the group who hatched wild yet effective schemes. “I love it when a plan comes together,” Hannibal often remarked.
Peppard was starring in a series of ‘Man Against the Mob’ TV movies after ‘The A-Team’ ended, but sadly his career was cut short when he was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1992. The actor died from complications of the disease two years later at the age of 65. Married five times, Peppard fathered three children. (AP)
Schultz' breakthrough role was Capt. H.M. “Howling Mad” Murdock, a certified lunatic who resided in a mental institution for the first four seasons.
After the show, Schultz starred in ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation,’ ‘Star Trek: Voyager,’ and ‘Star Trek: First Contact.’ Now 62, Schultz also tried his luck as a conservative talk show host with the now defunct ‘Howling Mad Radio.’ He’s lent his voice to a number of video games including 'Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance' and 'Final Fantasy X.' The actor has been married since 1983 and has one daughter. (dwightschultz.com)
Lt. Templeton “Faceman” Peck (often referred to simply as “Face”) was the smooth-talking con man who served as the team’s appropriator of vehicles and supplies. Benedict came to ‘The A-Team,’ with a fan following, having portrayed Starbuck on ‘Battlestar Galactica.’
Benedict has been involved in plenty of TV and film projects over the years, but he’s still best known as the suave con man Faceman. Benedict was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1981 and says he beat the disease without surgery by following a macrobiotic diet and physical training. He published a book on his experience, ‘Confessions of a Kamikaze Cowboy,’ and still follows a macrobiotic diet. Once married to actress Toni Hudson, who appeared in a season four episode of ‘A-Team,’ Benedict has three children, is an expert at fly fishing, holds a pilot's license, and resides in Montana. The actor ranked third on the 2007 season of the UK’s ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ (see pic at left). Dirk says of his time on the hit show, "I enjoyed The A-Team immensely… The actors I worked with, especially Mr. T and Dwight, were very fun people. It was pretty-much four years of laughter." Benedict, 64, has announced that he’ll be making a cameo in the upcoming film remake. (Big Brother)
Heasley was brought in during season two to play the role of reporter Tawnia Baker. The reporter role was previously filled by Melinda Culea (playing Amy Amanda Allen). Before ‘The A-Team,’ Heasley had made guest appearances on TV series like 'TJ Hooker' and 'Mike Hammer.'
Marla's only feature film roles were 'The Marrying Man' in 1991, and 'Born to Race' and 'Amore!' in 1993. (Hence the lack of a current photo.) The actress dated singer Wayne Newton for eight years, but their engagement ended in 1992. Heasley, now 50, is married to business developer Christopher Harriman, who was a successful recording artist in Europe during the early 1980's.
The black and metallic grey GMA Vandura van used by the A-Team has become a pop culture icon. With its characteristic red stripe, black and red turbine mag wheels, and rooftop spoiler the van was the ultimate action vehicle. There were actually six vans used in the show, and in many stunts where the vehicle would be totaled, other makes have been used, such as a black Ford with red hubcaps painted to replicate the original red turbine mags. Devices seen in the back of the van include a mini printing press, an audio surveillance recording device, and Hannibal's disguise kits. (Universal)
One of the original six vans used for the show spends its retirement displayed in the Cars of the Stars Motor Museum in Kenswick, U.K. (www.carsofthestars.com)