Skip to Content

Eric Spitznagel

Eric Spitznagel is a frequent contributor to magazines like Playboy, Esquire, and the New York Times, and was employed for over two decades by the Second City comedy theater, where Stephen Colbert was his Secret Santa _twice.
Connect:
email
Mr. T salutes

Before Mr. T Was Famous, He Was a Bodyguard. The Real Stories Behind His Tough-Guy Persona

A TV bouncer competition helped transform Mr. T from a Chicago bodyguard into one of the biggest stars of the ‘80s.

Sep 8, 2026