Terry Crews
| Terry Crews | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Crews in July 2013 | |||||||||
| Born |
July 30, 1968 Flint, Michigan, United States | ||||||||
| Occupation | Actor, football player | ||||||||
| Years active |
1991–1997 (football) 1999–present (acting) | ||||||||
| Spouse(s) | Rebecca King (m. 1990) | ||||||||
| Children | 4 | ||||||||
| Website | Official website | ||||||||
|
Football career | |||||||||
| No. 51, 90, 94 | |||||||||
| Position: | Defensive end / Linebacker | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 245 lb (111 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Flint Southwestern Academy | ||||||||
| College: | Western Michigan | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1991 / Round: 11 / Pick: 281 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
| |||||||||
Terry Alan Crews (born July 30, 1968)[1] is an American actor and former American football player. He currently stars as NYPD Sergeant Terry Jeffords in the Fox sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
In football, Crews played as a defensive end and linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Rams, the San Diego Chargers and the Washington Redskins, as well as in the World League of American Football with Rhein Fire.
As an actor, Crews has played Julius on the UPN/CW sitcom Everybody Hates Chris and Nick Kingston-Persons in the TBS sitcom Are We There Yet? He has also been the host of the syndicated game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, and starred in the BET reality series The Family Crews. He has also appeared in a number of films, including White Chicks, Idiocracy, and the Expendables series.
Early life
Crews was born in Flint, Michigan, the son of Patricia and Terry Crews Sr.[2] He grew up in a strict Christian household, where he was raised mainly by his mother.[3] After earning his high school diploma from Flint Southwestern Academy, he received a Chrysler-sponsored art scholarship at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan, which was followed by an Art Excellence scholarship and a full-ride athletic scholarship for football at Western Michigan University. As a defensive end for the WMU Broncos, Crews earned All-Conference honors and won the 1988 Mid-American Conference Championship.
Career
American football
Crews was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the 11th round of the 1991 NFL Draft.[4] His career included stints with the Rams, the San Diego Chargers, the Washington Redskins, and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Acting
After retiring from the NFL in 1997, Crews moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. He had held a long-standing ambition to work in the film industry, but up until then had had no plans to pursue acting, simply wanting to be involved in some way. A year earlier he had co-written and co-produced the independent feature film Young Boys Incorporated, filmed in Detroit. Self-funded, it had an anti-drug message, and drew on some his own observations of friends and family. Despite describing it as a "horrible" film, he credits the experience with getting him interested in the industry.[5]
In 1999 Crews auditioned for a role as a character athlete (known as Warriors) in the syndicated game show Battle Dome, which became his first acting part. He played "T–Money" for two seasons until its cancellation in 2001. The experience of auditioning gave him the realisation that acting, i.e. performing for an audience, was the direction he wanted his career to take, however he failed to land another acting job for the following two years.[6]
Appearances in commercials, films and music videos soon followed.[5] His break out role came in Friday After Next starring Ice Cube, for whom Crews had previously worked as an on-set bodyguard.[7][8] Having never taken acting classes, he instead simply asked himself what the audience wanted, and believes this ultimately brought him success. He now believes acting is what he was born to do and would not wish to have any other career, despite the physically demanding nature of the work.[5]
Based on his performance in White Chicks, in 2004 Adam Sandler changed a role in The Longest Yard to give it to Crews, who had auditioned for another part in the film.[5] His role as Julius, the father on the UPN/CW sitcom on Everybody Hates Chris brought Crews wider public recognition, airing for four seasons from 2005 until 2009.[8] Since Everybody Hates Chris, Crews has had main roles as the husband/father Nick Kingston-Persons in the TBS sitcom Are We There Yet?, which aired for three seasons from 2010 to 2013, and as NYPD Sergeant Terry Jeffords in the ensemble cast of the Fox sitcom Brooklyn Nine–Nine, which premiered in 2013 and was renewed for a fourth season in 2016.
Crews has largely appeared in comedic roles, although he also later found success in action roles beginning with his part as Hale Caesar in The Expendables series, which saw him make his first appearance in a film sequel. Having maintained an athletic physique into his acting career, Crews has been able to avoid being type-cast as a muscle bound action hero, and has instead been able to attain critical success through exploiting the contrast of his elaborate character comedy with his physique, which extends to the point of even mocking the stereotype of the gym obsessive body builder. This contrast has also led to sustained work as part of various noted humourous Old Spice TV commercials.[7][9][10]
Having appeared in voice acting roles in animated productions, such as American Dad! and Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, Crews found he enjoyed the work and sought out more of it, finding satisfaction in how it carries his spirit into the animation.[8]
Crews cites the many similarities between acting and professional football, including the structure and expectations, as helping his transition between the two careers. He credits Reginald Hubbard with mentoring him in his early career in the film business.[5]
Other television
In 2010-11, Crews starred in his own reality series on BET, The Family Crews, about his everyday life with his family. It ran for two seasons.
From 2014-15, Crews hosted the syndicated game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
Artist
According to Crews, his first job in the entertainment industry was as a courtroom sketch artist in Flint, Michigan.[11] He later performed the role for the local station, WJRT.[12] During his football career, Crews supplemented his income by producing portraits of fellow players, and in some cases this was his primary income stream which he depended on to feed his family, typically earning $5,000 for a two-month commission. His work included a series of NFL licensed lithographs.[5] His NFL portraits have drawn comparisons to the work of Daniel A. Moore.[11] Crews believes his imaginative side has transferred itself to his film work.[5]
Personal life
Crews married Rebecca King, a former beauty queen and gospel singer, in 1990. They have three daughters, Azriel (born 1990), Tera (born 1999), and Wynfrey (born 2004), and one son, Isaiah (born 2007). Crews has one step-daughter and granddaughter from his wife's previous relationship, Naomi (born 1989).
Crews is a Christian.[13][14] He is also a hobby painter and sketch artist, as well as an avid PC gamer and YouTube content creator.[12]
In 2014, Crews released his autobiography, Manhood: How to Be a Better Man or Just Live with One.[15] In the book, Crews made public details of his long standing addiction to pornography, which he relayed had seriously impacted his marriage and his life, and which he was only able to overcome around 2009 and 2010 after entering rehabilitation; he now takes an active role in speaking out about the condition and its impact.[16][17][18]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | The 6th Day | Vincent Bansworth | |
| 2001 | Training Day | Bloods Member | Uncredited |
| 2002 | Serving Sara | Vernon | |
| 2002 | Friday After Next | Damon Pearly | |
| 2003 | Deliver Us from Eva | Big Bartender | |
| 2003 | Malibu's Most Wanted | 8 Ball | |
| 2003 | BAADASSSSS! | Big T | |
| 2004 | Soul Plane | Bouncer | |
| 2004 | Starsky & Hutch | Porter | |
| 2004 | White Chicks | Latrell Spencer | |
| 2005 | The Longest Yard | Cheeseburger Eddy "89" | |
| 2006 | The Alibi | Crazy Eight | |
| 2006 | Harsh Times | Darrell | |
| 2006 | The Benchwarmers | Steven | |
| 2006 | Puff, Puff, Pass | Cool Crush Ice Killa | |
| 2006 | Click | Singing Guy in Car | Uncredited |
| 2006 | Idiocracy | President Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho | |
| 2006 | Inland Empire | Street Person | |
| 2007 | Norbit | Big Black Jack Latimore | |
| 2007 | How to Rob a Bank | Officer Degepse | |
| 2007 | Who's Your Caddy? | Tank | |
| 2007 | Balls of Fury | Freddy "Fingers" Wilson | |
| 2008 | Street Kings | Detective II Terrence Washington | |
| 2008 | Get Smart | Agent 91 | |
| 2008 | Get Smart's Bruce and Lloyd: Out of Control | Agent 91 | Direct to video |
| 2009 | Terminator Salvation | Captain Jericho | |
| 2009 | Gamer | Hackman | |
| 2010 | The Expendables | Hale Caesar | |
| 2010 | Lottery Ticket | Jimmy | |
| 2010 | Middle Men | James | |
| 2011 | Bridesmaids | Boot Camp Instructor | Cameo |
| 2012 | The Expendables 2 | Hale Caesar | |
| 2013 | Scary Movie 5 | Martin | |
| 2013 | Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 | Earl Devereaux (voice) | |
| 2014 | The Single Moms Club | Branson | |
| 2014 | Draft Day | Earl Jennings | |
| 2014 | Blended | Nickens | |
| 2014 | The Expendables 3 | Hale Caesar | |
| 2014 | VeggieTales: Celery Night Fever | Bruce Onion (voice) | Direct to video |
| 2014 | Reach Me | Wilson | |
| 2015 | Aztec Warrior | Juan Claudio | |
| 2015 | The Ridiculous 6 | Chico | |
| 2017 | Sandy Wexler | TBA |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999–2001 | Battle Dome | T-Money | Game show |
| 2004 | CSI: Miami | Craig Waters | Episode: "Rap Sheet" |
| 2005 | My Wife and Kids | Daryl | Episode: "Michael Joins a Gym" |
| 2005 | All of Us | Parker | Episode: "He-Male Trouble" |
| 2005–2009 | Everybody Hates Chris | Julius Rock | Main role (88 episodes) |
| 2005–2007 | The Boondocks | Various voices | 3 episodes |
| 2010–2011 | The Family Crews | Himself | Reality series |
| 2010–2012 | Are We There Yet? | Nick Kingston-Persons | Main role (100 episodes) |
| 2012 | The Newsroom | Lonny Church | 5 episodes |
| 2012 | Stars Earn Stripes | Himself | Reality series |
| 2013 | Real Husbands of Hollywood | Himself | 2 episodes |
| 2013 | Second Generation Wayans | Mike Williams | Episode: "The Beginning of the End of the Beginning" |
| 2013 | Arrested Development | Herbert Love | 5 episodes |
| 2013–2014 | Drunk History | Donald DeFreeze / Joe Louis | 2 episodes |
| 2013 | Ultimate Spider-Man | Blade (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2013 | Regular Show | Brock Stettman (voice) | Episode: "The Thanksgiving Special" |
| 2013–present | Brooklyn Nine–Nine | Terry Jeffords | Main role |
| 2014 | American Dad! | Heinrich Brown (voice) | Episode: "Rubberneckers" |
| 2014–2015 | Who Wants to Be a Millionaire | Himself/host | |
| 2014 | Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. | Blade (voice) | Episode: "Hulking Commandos" |
| 2015 | World's Funniest | Himself/host | |
| 2015 | Lip Sync Battle | Himself/contestant | |
| 2016 | The $100,000 Pyramid | Himself/celebrity guest | Episode: Terry Crews vs. Natasha Lyonne |
| TBA | Ultimate Beastmaster | Himself/host |
Music videos
| Year | Artist | Song | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Blink-182 | "Down" | Police Officer |
| 2005 | Jamie Kennedy & Stu Stone | "Rollin With Saget" | Bouncer |
| 2005 | Bizarre | "Rockstar" | Dancing Guy Next To The Pool |
| 2013 | Major Lazer | "Scare Me" | Major Lazer |
| 2015 | Kendrick Lamar | "These Walls" | Talent Show Dancer |
Video games
| Year | Title | Voice role |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | The Expendables 2 | Hale Caesar |
| 2013 | Saints Row IV | Benjamin King |
Accolades
| Year | Association | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV: Parental Unit | Everybody Hates Chris (Shared with: Tichina Arnold) | Nominated |
| 2006 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | Everybody Hates Chris | Nominated |
| 2007 | Everybody Hates Chris | Nominated | ||
| 2008 | Everybody Hates Chris | Nominated | ||
| 2009 | Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series | Everybody Hates Chris | Nominated | |
| 2011 | Are We There Yet? | Nominated | ||
| 2011 | NAMIC Vision Awards | Best Performance - Comedy | Are We There Yet? | Nominated |
| 2012 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series | Are We There Yet? | Nominated |
| 2013 | Annie Awards | Outstanding Achievement in Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production | Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 | Nominated |
| 2013 | Screen Actors Guild | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Brooklyn Nine-Nine | Nominated |
| 2014 | Behind the Voice Actors Awards | Breakthrough Voice Actor of the Year | N/A | Nominated |
| Best Male Vocal Performance in a Feature Film in a Supporting Role | Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 | Nominated | ||
| Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film | Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 | Nominated | ||
| Best Vocal Ensemble in a Video Game | Saints Row IV | Nominated | ||
| 2015 | Online Film & Television Association Award [19] | Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | Brooklyn Nine-Nine | Nominated |
| 2015 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | Brooklyn Nine-Nine | Nominated |
| 2016 | Brooklyn Nine-Nine | Nominated |
References
- ↑ "Flint native Terry Crews shines on screen". The Michigan Journal. February 6, 2007. Retrieved October 2, 2008.
- ↑ "Terry Crews attributes his Hollywood star power comedy and dancing in 'White Chicks' and 'Everybody Hates Chris' to his Flint upbringing". MLive.com. Retrieved 2015-11-23.
- ↑ "No One Wants To Be With The Marlboro Man: Terry Crews On 'Manhood'". NPR. May 17, 2014.
- ↑ "Terry Crews NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference/USA Today. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Tucker, Mark Lubischer and Betty Jo. "ReelTalk Movie Reviews". www.reeltalkreviews.com. Retrieved 2016-10-11.
- ↑ Appearance on the Late Late Show with James Corden, 23 September 2016
- 1 2 "Terry Crews makes it big.". IFC. Retrieved 2016-10-11.
- 1 2 3 "Terry Crews Talks Meatballs and Superheroes". EBONY. Retrieved 2016-10-11.
- ↑ "Watch Terry Crews And James Corden Hilariously Show People How To Work Out - CINEMABLEND". CINEMABLEND. 2015-09-20. Retrieved 2016-10-11.
- ↑ "2012 Terry Crews Interview for Expendables 2 | LatinRapper.com". www.latinrapper.com. Retrieved 2016-10-11.
- 1 2 "Terry Crews Reveals Secret Art Practice". artnet News. 2014-09-04. Retrieved 2016-10-11.
- 1 2 YouTube. youtube.com.
- ↑ "Actor Terry Crews Explains "How He Does Everything Unto the Lord" in Hollywood".
- ↑ "Actor Terry Crews and his wife say experience will keep them safe from reality TV pitfalls". The Times-Picayune (NOLA.com). February 20, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
- ↑ "No One Wants To Be With The Marlboro Man: Terry Crews On 'Manhood'". NPR.org. 17 May 2014.
- ↑ "Terry Crews' New Book Details Struggle With Porn Addiction - Black America Web". Black America Web. 27 May 2014. Archived from the original on 28 May 2014.
- ↑ ABC News. "Terry Crews Says Porn Addiction Nearly Ruined His Life". ABC News.
- ↑ Brandon Griggs, CNN (24 February 2016). "Terry Crews: Porn addiction 'messed up my life'". CNN.
- ↑ "Terry Crews". Retrieved 13 June 2016.
External links
- Official website
- Terry Crews at the Internet Movie Database
- BET Shows - The Family Crews Website
- Just Sports Stats