
Terry Crews – Biography, Net Worth, Movies & Football Career
Terry Crews built a career that spans professional football, Hollywood blockbusters, and prime‑time television hosting. Born in Flint, Michigan, in 1968, he first made a name for himself as a defensive end in the NFL before reinventing himself as an actor known for roles in Brooklyn Nine‑Nine, The Expendables, and White Chicks. Today, he is also a prominent advocate for mental health and survivors of sexual assault.
Crews’s path from the gridiron to the red carpet is unusual even by Hollywood standards. He played six seasons in the NFL, then walked away in 1997 to pursue acting with no formal training. Two decades later, he is one of the most recognisable faces on television, hosting America’s Got Talent while still taking on film and voice roles.
This article answers the most common questions about Terry Crews: his marriage, his net worth, his football career, the movies and shows he has been in, and the details that fans often look for — his height, his age, and whether he is still active.
Who is Terry Crews’ wife?
Rebecca King (married 1989)
Estimated $15–22 million
Alive and active
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Key insights about Terry Crews
- He transitioned from an NFL linebacker to a Hollywood star and TV host, a rare multi‑career trajectory.
- Known for comedic timing in Brooklyn Nine‑Nine and action roles in The Expendables series.
- He is a philanthropist, author, and painter, and speaks openly about masculinity and vulnerability.
- His marriage to Rebecca King has lasted more than three decades, a notable stability in the entertainment industry.
- Crews co‑founded the Stop Abuse Campaign and was named one of TIME magazine’s Persons of the Year in 2017 for speaking out about sexual assault.
- He is an advocate for women’s rights and an activist against sexism.
Snapshot facts
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Terry Alan Crews |
| Born | July 30, 1968 (Flint, Michigan) |
| Age | 57 (as of June 2026) |
| Height | 6’2″ (188 cm) |
| Weight (during NFL) | 245 lbs |
| Spouse | Rebecca King (m. 1989/1990) |
| Children | 5: Azriel, Naomi, Isaiah, Tera, Wynfrey |
| NFL Position | Defensive end |
| NFL Teams | LA Rams, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles (no games), Rhein Fire (NFL Europe) |
| Years Active (Football) | 1991–1997 |
| Years Active (Entertainment) | 1999–present |
| Notable Works | Brooklyn Nine‑Nine, The Expendables, White Chicks, America’s Got Talent |
Did Terry Crews play professional football?
Yes, Terry Crews played six seasons in the National Football League (NFL) and one season in the World League of American Football (NFL Europe). He was drafted in the 11th round of the 1991 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams, listed at 6’2″ and 245 pounds at the time.
Crews is among a small group of NFL players who successfully moved into major acting and television hosting roles without any formal dramatic training. His four‑year gap between retiring from football and his first screen appearance is unusually short for such a transition.
NFL draft and teams
Crews played for the Los Angeles Rams (6 games), San Diego Chargers (10 games across 1993‑1994), and Washington Redskins (16 games in 1995). He was also on the roster of the Philadelphia Eagles but did not appear in a game. In 1995 he spent time with the Rhein Fire of the World League. In total he appeared in 32 NFL regular‑season games.
Retirement and transition to acting
After the 1996 season, Crews retired from professional football in 1997 and moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. His first credited film role came in 2000 with The 6th Day.
What movies and TV shows has Terry Crews been in?
Film debut and early roles
Crews made his big‑screen debut in 2000 with The 6th Day. He landed a breakthrough comedic role in White Chicks (2004) and also appeared in Friday After Next (2002), Malibu’s Most Wanted (2003), Soul Plane (2004), and Idiocracy (2006). Later action roles included The Expendables series (2010–2014) and the animated feature Rumble (2021).
Television roles
His most famous television role is Sgt. Terry Jeffords in Brooklyn Nine‑Nine, which he played for eight seasons (2013–2021). Earlier, he portrayed Julius Rock in the sitcom Everybody Hates Chris (2005–2009) and appeared as T‑Money on the game show Battle Dome (1999). He also starred in the BET reality series The Family Crews (2010–2011).
Hosting credits
Crews hosted the American version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire from 2014 to 2015 and became the host of America’s Got Talent in 2019, also hosting its spin‑off The Champions. He later hosted the FOX series World’s Funniest Fails.
Across more than two decades, Crews has worked in comedy, action, reality television, and game‑show hosting, rarely repeating the same type of role. This range helps explain his enduring appeal and career longevity.
What is Terry Crews’ net worth?
Specific, verified net worth figures are not provided in official public records. However, based on his long tenure in major television shows (Brooklyn Nine‑Nine, Everybody Hates Chris), film roles, and hosting duties, his career earnings are substantial. Public estimates from entertainment finance sources often range between $15 million and $22 million, although these are not confirmed in the provided material.
Sources of income
- Acting salaries from television series and films.
- Hosting fees for America’s Got Talent, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, and other programs.
- Book royalties from his memoir Tough: My Journey to True Power.
- Endorsements and public speaking engagements.
Because Crews’s net worth has not been officially disclosed, all numbers are estimates based on reported contract values and industry averages. The most commonly cited range is $15–22 million, but no single source provides a definitive total.
Timeline: Key milestones in Terry Crews’ life and career
- 1968: Born in Flint, Michigan.
- 1989: Marries Rebecca King.
- 1991: Drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the 11th round.
- 1997: Leaves the NFL after six seasons.
- 1999: Begins acting with small TV roles.
- 2004: Breakthrough role in White Chicks.
- 2010: Joins The Expendables franchise.
- 2013: Cast as Sergeant Terry Jeffords in Brooklyn Nine‑Nine.
- 2019: Becomes host of America’s Got Talent.
- 2020: Publishes memoir Tough: My Journey to True Power.
- 2025: Continues acting, hosting, and advocacy work.
Is Terry Crews still alive? And other clarifications
| Question | Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|---|
| Is Terry Crews alive? | Confirmed alive and active as of 2025. He regularly posts on social media and continues to host America’s Got Talent. | None. No credible source suggests otherwise. |
| What is Terry Crews’ real height? | Consistently reported as 6’2″ (1.88 m) across NFL combine records, IMDb, and biographies. | No recent official re‑measurement, but all historical sources agree. |
| Did Terry Crews really play in the NFL? | Yes. He played 32 games across six seasons for three NFL teams, plus one season in NFL Europe. | The exact number of games for the Philadelphia Eagles (0) is sometimes misreported. |
| Is Terry Crews divorced? | No. He remains married to Rebecca King, whom he married in 1989/1990. | No public records or credible rumors indicate a separation or divorce. |
What is Terry Crews’ cultural impact?
Crews is one of the few athletes who successfully transitioned to a major acting career without formal training. He has used his platform to challenge stereotypes of Black masculinity and to advocate for men’s mental health. His openness about attending therapy and his own history of trauma has made him a respected voice in mental‑health discussions.
In 2017, he testified before the U.S. Senate about his experience of sexual assault, and was named one of TIME magazine’s Persons of the Year. He co‑founded the Stop Abuse Campaign to support survivors and to raise awareness about the long‑term effects of abuse.
Crews also serves on the board of the Polaris Project, an organisation that works to combat human trafficking. His advocacy work, combined with his entertainment career, has given him a rare level of cross‑generational visibility.
Where can I find reliable information about Terry Crews?
The most trusted sources for biographical facts about Terry Crews include his Wikipedia page, Biography.com, and IMDb. For football statistics, Pro Football Reference provides game logs and draft information. His official social media accounts on Instagram and TikTok offer direct, personal updates.
“I’m not a victim. I’m a survivor.” – Terry Crews on his #MeToo testimony.
– from his U.S. Senate testimony and subsequent interviews
“Real strength is vulnerability.” – from Tough: My Journey to True Power.
– Terry Crews, 2020
Summary: Terry Crews’ life and legacy in brief
Terry Crews rose from a childhood in Flint, Michigan, to the NFL and then to a celebrated career in film and television. He is best known for his role as Sergeant Jeffords in Brooklyn Nine‑Nine and as host of America’s Got Talent. Married to Rebecca King for more than three decades, he is also a vocal advocate against sexism and for survivors of abuse. For those interested in other actors with similarly diverse careers, see our profile on Uzo Aduba Movies and TV Shows.
Frequently asked questions about Terry Crews
How tall is Terry Crews?
6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters).
How old is Terry Crews?
Born July 30, 1968, he is 57 years old as of June 2026.
Is Terry Crews still alive?
Yes, he is alive and active in entertainment and on social media.
What is Terry Crews’ real name?
Terry Alan Crews.
Did Terry Crews win any awards?
He has received several nominations, including Screen Actors Guild Awards for Brooklyn Nine‑Nine, and won the BET Award for Best Actor in 2015.
Does Terry Crews have children?
Yes, five children: Azriel, Naomi, Isaiah, Tera, and Wynfrey.
What was Terry Crews’ NFL position?
He played defensive end.
Is Terry Crews in The Expendables?
Yes, he appeared in all three The Expendables films (2010, 2012, 2014).
What is Terry Crews’ net worth in 2025?
Public estimates range between $15 million and $22 million, though no official figure has been confirmed.
Did Terry Crews attend college?
Yes, he attended Western Michigan University on a full athletic scholarship and earned an Art Excellence Scholarship.