Terry Crews On Panera, Positivity, Singing & His Upcoming Projects
It has been a little over two decades since Terry Crews left the NFL, and he has created a career that is not only hugely-successful but unique. While millions of people regularly watch Crews on Brooklyn Nine-Nine — which moves to NBC this fall — he also seems to have at least two movies in the pipeline. He also pops up regularly as a pitchman for major brands, as his likability makes viewers want to watch these ad campaigns, unlike most commercials. Crews has also hosted a hit game show, written a memoir and designed furniture, beyond being known as a talented caricaturist and dancer. Even more admirable than the man’s talents and skills is his overwhelmingly-positive demeanor while holding down so many jobs. Oh, and Crews is also a father of five and a grandfather of one.
While on-site for the 2018 Firefly Music Festival, I had the pleasure of interviewing Terry Crews. Crews was at Firefly as part of a collaboration with Panera, which recently announced that it delivers on a national basis. The actor hand-delivered bowls of Panera’s Bacon Mac & Cheese — as available for a limited time — to Firefly campers, also taking plenty of photos in the process. More on Panera is online at www.panerabread.com, while Crews can be followed on social media via @TerryCrews.
Terry Crews: Mac & Cheese is one of my favorite meals of all time. I know the Bacon Mac & Cheese is only available for a limited time, but I have to say the Mac & Cheese. I do like the Steak Sandwich also. It runs a second to the Mac.
People who have been following you for a long time know that you played in the NFL, you competed on Battledome, you had a best-selling book, you can breakdance, you worked as a court stenographer… Is there anything that Terry Crews can’t do?
Terry Crews: It’s weird because people say “Terry Crews can do everything.” The truth is that anyone can do anything if you’re willing to pay the price. My deal is if you’re want it bad enough and you’re willing to pay the price for it, you can do it. There’s been a lot of things I wanted to do, like design furniture, that I was willing to pay the price for. If I want to switch and do something, if I want to farm, I’m willing to pay the price to work a farm. It’s really one of those things where you have to figure out what you want to do, what your dreams are, and go for those. That way that you’re not dealing with extraneous stuff, you know?
Your wife Rebecca is known as an excellent pianist and singer. You have sung in a few of your movies. Have you ever sung together, or thought about recording together?
Terry Crews: It’s funny, we actually did a Facebook Live video that went viral. We were singing one of her songs together, and I love when she gets on the piano, and I start singing from the heart, I feel like I’m singing in the shower. We put it on Facebook and it went crazy. Mostly when I’m singing it’s funny. I love to sing, I did in Blended. It’s weird because I’m on iTunes with the songs I did in that movie and I’m like, “Dude, I’m a recording artist!” (laughs) It’s crazy.
Are there any upcoming projects, besides Panera, that you can talk about?
Terry Crews: Yes, I have a movie coming out July 6th, nationwide, from Boots Riley called Sorry To Bother You. It stars Lakeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson… Deadpool 2 just came out and Brooklyn Nine-Nine just got picked back up. It’s going to be on NBC this fall. They don’t have a date yet, but it’s definitely coming back. We’re going to do six seasons, it’s awesome.
Finally, any last words for the kids?
Terry Crews: Hey kids, enjoy your summer. Let all the books down. My kids would work so hard, they would have three hours of homework after every day of school, and I say summertime just chill, relax. Go to the pool, get yourself some food, go out and relax.
About the Author
Darren Paltrowitz Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He began working around the music business as a teenager, interning for the manager of his then-favorite band Superdrag. Since then, he has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, and Amanda Palmer. Darren's writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, Inquisitr, The Daily Meal, The Hype Magazine, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal. Beyond being "Editor At Large" for The Hype Magazine, Darren is also the host of weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" series, which airs on dozens on television and digital networks. He has also co-authored 2 published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" (Book Web Publishing) and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling" (6623 Press), and co-hosts the world's only known podcast about David Lee Roth, "The DLR Cast."
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