Terry Crews Biography

American actor and former professional football player Terry Crews is most known for his work off the football field. To that end, his greatest exposure has come with films such as Friday After Next and The Longest Yard as well as his recurring role on the popular television series Everybody Hates Chris.

Terry Alan Crews was born July 30, 1968 in Flint, Michigan. Crews obtained his initial education from Carman Ainsworth High School, after which he attended the Interlochen Center for the Arts on an Art Excellence Scholarship. He later transferred to Western Michigan University.

Earning his degree in art, Crews pursued his other college interest—football. Proving an essential part of the WMU team, Crews made his mark as their defensive end. In the 1991 draft, he went in the eleventh round to the San Diego Chargers.

For the next six years, Crews played with the Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Redskins. His official football retirement came in 1997.

After taking a few years to himself, Crews began appearing in small roles in various entertainment projects. He made his onscreen debut in 1999 with Battle Dome as T Money. Next, he appeared opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger and Michael Rapaport in the sci-fi thriller The 6^th Day.

Crews’ exposure increased dramatically, however, in 2002. In that year, he took a role in the successful sequel Friday After Next with Ice Cube, Mike Epps, and John Witherspoon. Keeping within the vein of straight forward, crowd pleasing comedies, Crews also took a role in the Jamie Kennedy vehicle Malibu’s Most Wanted.

Afraid of getting typecast, Crews proved in 2003 that he was capable of switching film genres to great success. He took to the screen with Mario Van Peebles, Ossie Davis, and Joy Bryant for How to Get the Man’s Foot Outta your Ass, sometimes credited just as Baadasssss!

Back to his comedic ways, Crews took a role in 2004’s White Chicks. Directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans and starring Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, and Jaime King, the film deeply split audiences, taking both BET Comedy Awards and Razzies.

Crews obviously didn’t suffer for the somewhat controversial work seeing as he quickly landed a role in The Longest Yard with Adam Sandler and Burt Reynolds. In the same year, he landed the role of Julius Rock in the new television series Everybody Hates Chris. Establishing itself quickly as a popular new program, Crews has enjoyed the rewards of a hit TV show with cast mates Tichina Arnold, Tequan Richmond, Tyler James Williams, and the show’s creator, Chris Rock.

Other notable film roles for Crews include 2006’s Inland Empire from director/writer David Lynch and star Laura Dern. He also had a turn in the widely panned 2007 Eddie Murphy flop Norbit.

Keeping busy, Crews has recently completed filming Street Kings and Get Smart with Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway.

In his personal life, Crews married his wife Rebecca in 1989. They have five children, and they are currently still together. The entire family resides in Gilroy, California. Rebecca is a Christian musician and onetime beauty queen.