Spring Break
Flint native Terry Crews shines on screen
Veronica Grandison
Issue date: 2/6/07 Section: Features
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Crews, a Flint native, has been in over 15 films since making his feature debut in the action-packed thriller "The 6th Day." Recently, he starred in Eddie Murphy's new comedy "Norbit," which came to theaters last Friday.
Before he broke into the acting field, the Los Angeles Rams drafted Crews into the NFL after only two years as a defensive end for Western Michigan University. During his football career, Crews played for such teams as the Washington Redskins, Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles and the San Diego Chargers. Crews learned important lessons in acting from playing football for so many years.
"If you just keep going you'll get another shot. I learned how to be able to handle rejection in acting by playing football," he said.
"Football is the same as acting because, in the end, all you have is your family and your friends."
After his retirement from the NFL in 1997, he was cast as "Big T" in the short-lived "gladiator"-type show "Battle Dome." In many of Crews' roles, he has portrayed muscle-bound characters with humorous personality traits.
The role that made him publicly known was his portrayal of the tough, macho Damon Pearlym in the film "Friday After Next" with rapper Ice Cube.
Crews continued to prove his talent as an actor by playing in films such as "White Chicks," "Harsh Times" and "The Longest Yard," with actors Adam Sandler and Chris Rock. However, Crews' encounter with Rock would be the first of many, as Crews was chosen to play Chris Rock's father in the television comedy hit "Everybody Hates Chris." Crews once again brings more of his humorous acting skills to the screen as "Julius Rock," who is a hardworking father trying to take care of his family in Brooklyn. The show, already in its second season on the CW network, has become very popular with audiences across the country and has made Crews a household name.
"It's an honor to be an actor and just a joy to be recognized by people," he said.
When Crews isn't working on the show, or making films, he likes to work out.
"I get two hours a day in the gym. That's where I find my peace and am alone," he says.
In addition to being a star in acting and in football, Crews is also a gifted artist. He was given an Art Excellence scholarship to attend Western Michigan University, as well as a scholarship to the Interlochen Center for the Arts for high school. Crews is what some like to call multi-talented because there is no limit to his skills. Crews loves what he does and he remains loyal to his film career.
"There is inspiration found in movies," he says.
Crews continues to bring diversity and style to his characters on the screen and his latest role in "Norbit" demonstrates that ability. Audiences will definitely see more success from Terry Crews in the future, whether he's making them laugh on television, or playing more distinctive roles in film.
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