Terry Crews

Background

Terry Alan Crews is an established actor and former football player. His talent and skill have put him on a pedestal around the world. He was born on July 30, 1968, in Flint, Michigan to his father, Terry Crews, and his mother, Patricia Ann. He is the middle child of three children. His mother was 18 years old when he was born and she was the one who mainly raised Crews and his siblings. His father had grown abusive and distant due to the influence of alcohol. Crews took flute lessons for eight years and attended Interlochen Arts Academy for one summer. He later enrolled in Western Michigan University, in Kalamazoo, through an art scholarship. He tried out for the school football team after his freshman year and made the team. This earned him a full athletic scholarship.

The Los Angeles Rams drafted him in 1991 in the 11th round of the National Football Draft. Throughout his career, he played six games with the Rams, 10 games with the San Diego Chargers, and 16 games with the Washington Redskins. He also participated in the World League of American Football in the 1995 season and played for Rhein Fire. Crews retired from football in 1997 to pursue film. He always wanted to work in the industry but never really as an actor. Earlier on in 1996, he had co-written and co-produced “Young Boys Incorporated,” an independent feature film. He attributes his interest in acting and the film industry largely to his experience with the said film. He auditioned for a role in “Battle Dome,” the syndicated game show in 1999 and that became his first-ever acting role. The role paved the way for other films, music videos, and commercials.

The role on “Friday After Next” was his breakout role but the role in the sitcom “Everybody Hates Chris” as Julius Rock from 2005 through to 2009, catapulted his fame around the world. In 2004, during his performance in “White Chicks,” Adam Sandler re-wrote a role in the film, “The Longest Yard” to give it to him. He had, however, auditioned for another role in the same film. He is also a voice actor and he had roles in animations such as, “American Dad!” and “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2.” He starred in “The Family Crews,” a BET reality series in 2010 and 2011. He also featured in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” as Terry Jeffords from 2013 through to 2021.

Terry Crews Movies and TV Shows