Posing as Santa Claus, "Mr. T." gets a kiss from Nancy Reagan as he helped her unveil the White House Christmas decorations. (UPI PHOTO/Larry Rubenstein/FILES) | License Photo

"Mr. T", star of the TV show the "A-Team" poses as Santa Claus December 12, 1983 to help First Lady Nancy Reagan unveil the White House Christmas decorations. (UPI PHOTO/Larry Rubenstein/FILES) | License Photo

Dec. 12, WASHINGTON (UPI) -- Today marks the 30th anniversary of a historic day in White House history. On December 12, 1983, Mr. T, star of The A-Team shed his tough guy image and donned a Santa Claus costume to assist First Lady Nancy Reagan in unveiling the Christmas decorations at the White House.

In a 2008 interview with The Independent, Mr. T admitted his invitation to the White House was one of the biggest surprises of his life:


"Nancy Reagan was campaigning to get kids to say no to drugs, and they heard about me going round schools telling kids to stay away from drugs. It was a real honor for a black kid from the ghetto who grew up on welfare."

To his further surprise, the first lady even sat on the A-team star's lap and gave him a kiss on the forehead, perhaps a thank you for the Mr. T doll he presented her with as a gift.

Four years later, Mrs. Reagan got some help from another popular television celebrity at the 1987 White House Christmas Party. The friendly, cat loving extraterrestrial ALF.