Terry Crews facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Terry Crews
Crews in 2017
Born	Terry Alan Crews (1968-07-30) July 30, 1968 (age 57) Flint, Michigan, U.S.
Occupation	Actor television host American football player
Years active	1991–1997 (football) 1999–present (acting)
Spouse(s)	Rebecca King ​ (m. 1989)​
Children	5
Football career
No. 51, 90, 94, 59
Position:	Defensive end Linebacker
Personal information
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school:	Flint Southwestern Academy (Flint, Michigan)
College:	Western Michigan
NFL Draft:	1991 / Round: 11 / Pick: 281
Career history
Los Angeles Rams (1991) Green Bay Packers (1993)* San Diego Chargers (1993) Rhein Fire (1995) Washington Redskins (1995) Philadelphia Eagles (1996)
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 32 Tackles: 3 Assists: 1
Player stats at PFR

Terry Alan Crews (born July 30, 1968) is an American actor, television host, and former professional football player. He is famous for playing the funny dad, Julius Rock, in the TV show Everybody Hates Chris and the lovable Sergeant Terry Jeffords in the sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

Crews has also starred in many movies, like White Chicks, The Longest Yard, and The Expendables film series. He hosted the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and since 2019, he has been the host of America's Got Talent.

Before he became an actor, Crews played as a defensive end and linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for teams like the Los Angeles Rams and the San Diego Chargers. He is also a strong supporter of women's rights and was named one of Time magazine's "People of the Year" in 2017 for his courage.

Early Life and Education

Terry Crews was born on July 30, 1968, in Flint, Michigan. He grew up in a strict Christian home and was mostly raised by his mother. He had a difficult childhood but found an escape in art and music.

His great-aunt gave him a flute, and he became very good at it, playing for eight years. He was so talented in art that he earned an art scholarship to Western Michigan University. After his first year of college, he tried out for the football team and earned a full athletic scholarship.

Football Career

In the 1991 NFL draft, the Los Angeles Rams chose Terry Crews to play for their team. His professional football career also included time with the San Diego Chargers and the Washington Redskins. He played a total of 32 games in the NFL.

Because he was often cut from teams, Crews needed to find other ways to make money. He used his art skills to draw portraits for his teammates. This helped him support his family.

Acting Career

From the Field to the Screen

After retiring from the NFL in 1997, Crews moved to Los Angeles to become an actor. He had always been interested in the movie industry. In 1999, he got his first acting job on a game show called Battle Dome, where he played a character named T-Money. This experience made him realize he loved acting.

Crews in 2008

His big break came in the movie Friday After Next, where he acted alongside Ice Cube. Crews had never taken acting classes. He just tried to figure out what would make the audience happy, and it worked.

Famous Roles in TV and Movies

His role in the 2004 movie White Chicks impressed Adam Sandler so much that Sandler gave him a special part in The Longest Yard.

From 2005 to 2009, Crews became widely known for playing Julius Rock, the hilarious and frugal dad on the show Everybody Hates Chris. He later starred as Sergeant (and later Lieutenant) Terry Jeffords in the popular sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine from 2013 to 2021.

Crews often plays funny characters that make fun of his muscular build.

Crews is known for his comedic roles, like playing President Camacho in the movie Idiocracy. He has also been in action movies, playing Hale Caesar in The Expendables series. He often uses his muscular physique for comedy, making fun of the stereotype of a bodybuilder. This has also made him a star in funny Old Spice commercials.

Voice Acting and Hosting

Crews has also lent his voice to animated shows like American Dad! and the movie Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2. He enjoys voice acting because it allows him to bring characters to life in a different way.

From 2014 to 2015, he hosted the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. In 2019, he became the host of America's Got Talent, one of the biggest talent shows in the world.

Other Projects

Art and Design

Before he was an actor or a football player, Crews's first job was as a courtroom sketch artist in his hometown. He still uses his artistic talents today.

Crews also started a design company with fashion designer Nana Boateng. In 2017, he even designed his own collection of furniture that was shown at a major design fair in New York.

Writing Books

Crews has written several books. His book Tough: My Journey to True Power shares lessons he has learned in his life. He has also written and illustrated children's books, including one called Come Find Me, which is about the adventures of two brothers.

Personal Life

Crews with his wife Rebecca in 2019

Crews is a Christian. He married his wife, Rebecca King, on July 29, 1989. They have five children together, including a son, Isaiah Crews, who is also an actor. They also have one grandchild.

Crews is a big believer in self-improvement. He has said his favorite book is The Master Key System by Charles F. Haanel because it taught him how to focus on his goals. His five favorite movies are Do the Right Thing, Star Wars, Aliens, Training Day, and Pulp Fiction.

Filmography

Images for kids

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  Crews at San Diego Comic-Con in 2013

See also

In Spanish: Terry Crews para niños