Terry Crews
Celebrities - Actors & Entertainers
Written by DUB Magazine
Wednesday, 22 April 2009 16:44
Page 1 of 2

Terry CrewsStanding 6 feet, 2 inches and weighing 244 pounds, Terry Crews looks anything but funny. His bulging muscles and “hard guy” appearance make him look menacing. At first glance, you would guess Crews was a football player rather than a comedic actor, and you’d be right…well, sort of.

Although he’s now an actor, having starred in such memorable comedies as The Longest Yard (Paramount Pictures, 2005), The Benchwarmers (Columbia Pictures, 2006) and his hit comedy on the WB “Everybody Hates Chris,” Crews was first a professional football player in the NFL for seven years, with the San Diego Chargers, Green Bay Packers, Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles and then L.A. Rams as a defensive end.

Terry Crews

Hopping from team to team (six teams in seven years), Crews realized he wasn’t cut out to be a legendary football player. “I was fed up with football, and my interests were gearing more toward entertainment,” he says in his signature deep voice that lets you know there’s a big boy on the other end of the phone. “I had produced a small movie while playing for the Redskins. It wasn’t good, but I got the itch to do more entertainment-related things, so my wife and I took a chance and went for it.”

Terry Crews

Without a second thought, Crews and his family found themselves making their way to the land of movies (Hollywood, California) for a chance at stardom. “I wanted to get away from football, and since L.A. didn’t have a football team, I knew I could concentrate on pursuing a career in entertainment fully.” But, like all hopeful actors, life wasn’t easy in the beginning. After three years of struggling for a job in the industry, Crew got his big break on his first audition for an acting role in “Battle Dome,” an offshoot of “American Gladiators.” “I was in shape from football and had athletic experience, and I needed some acting credits, so I took it,” Crews says. “It was like acting school for me. I just had to be all loud and crazy.”

Being “loud and crazy” wasn’t hard for Crews, who has a very good sense of humor naturally. Always one to crack jokes, Crews’ comedic career stems back to his football days. “I’ve been a clown all my life,” he confesses. “I was the funny man in the locker room in my football days. Even when we would lose games, I’d crack my teammates up. When you’ve been married for 18 years with five kids, you better have a good sense of humor or you’re going to go nuts. Just ask my wife.”