Terry Crews

Terry Crews (also credited as Terrence Alan Crews) is an American screen artist known for turning powerhouse physicality into sharp, crowd-pleasing comedy. Born July 30, 1968, in Flint, Michigan, he has built a career that spans acting, hosting, and public advocacy, becoming a recognizable presence across film, television, and pop culture.

Before Hollywood, Crews competed at the highest level of professional football, playing in the NFL as a defensive end and linebacker, along with time in international league play after his college years at Western Michigan University. That athletic background helped shape his on-screen persona, from scene-stealing film roles like White Chicks (Latrell Spencer), The Longest Yard (Cheeseburger Eddy), Get Smart (Agent 91), and Idiocracy (President Camacho) to other notable credits including Harsh Times, Norbit, and Balls of Fury.

On television, Crews became a household name as Julius Rock on Everybody Hates Chris and later as NYPD Lieutenant Terry Jeffords on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. He also expanded his reach as a host, fronting the U.S. version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and stepping into America’s Got Talent in 2019 after earlier work on its spin-off.

Beyond entertainment, Crews has spoken openly about family trauma and has been a vocal advocate against sexism and abuse. His public stance contributed to his inclusion among Time’s 2017 Person of the Year honorees, reflecting his impact both on and off screen.