I am Terry Crews - AMA

Terry, if you could fight one person from history, who would it be?

My Great great-grandfathers slave-master.

How fun was it filming the "a thousand miles" scene in White Chicks? XD

It was one of the BEST moments of my entire life. The Wayans are geniuses and it was my breakthrough in my acting career. I'll never forget it. That was the moment my life changed.

Where did you learn to dance so well? your robot in the longest yard while calling adam sandler a baby back bitch has led me to do the same when i beat my friends in basketball.

Edit: Here is a lesser known clip at a warriors game http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFjzjoLnGzo

I used to breakdance back in high school. I had no girlfriend, so I would spent hours in my room dancing by myself. The robot was the BEST because it was like an illusion. An you didn't need a partner. Lonely nights make the best robots.

Terry Crews in Forever Alone: A Success Story

LMAO!!!!!!

Could you please run for president?

Working on some stuff with Mike Judge for President Camacho!

Three best exercises for putting on overall mass?

Squats Power Cleans Pull ups

Terry, first of all you are one of the most entertaining parts of the expendables series in my opinion! Just had to get that out there.

My question is, how did it come about that old spice approached you for the new commercials? (Which are my absolute favorite by the way)

Thank you! It's crazy because I found out later they where looking for a "Terry Crews" type guy for the Odor Blocker spots. Then somebody said "hey lets just ask him". And they did! I loved the concept and the rest is history!

How has getting famous changed you and your life? Do you believe that it has changed you much?

Wow. It's definitely different. I remember shaking every hand and taking every picture, then seeing my wife and kids sad because I was out with them, but spent no time with them. I had to set boundaries. I love being famous and all the fans, but my wife and kids need Terry the husband, Terry the Dad. Terry the Star has no place at home.

Why is it that every time you appear on screen my face instantly lights up no matter what it is I'm watching?

It's amazing that my face lights up every time you watch!

What's your secret, Terry? How do you just REFUSE to be typecasted? Respect.

I constantly get out of my comfort zone. Looking cool is the easiest way to mediocrity. The coolest guy in my high school ended up working at a car wash. Once you push yourself into something new, and whole new world of opportunities opens up. But you might get hurt. In fact you WILL get hurt. But amazingly when you heal-- you are somewhere youve never been.

Do you think Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho could win an election today?

Sadly, yes!

What's a philosophy of yours that you think everyone should take to heart?

Embrace failure. Never never quit. Get very comfortable with that uneasy feeling of going against the grain and trying something new. It will constantly take you place you never thought you could go. This has been my mantra for years. I always remember I won't do things right on the first try. So failure is mandatory for success!

How much can you bench press?

Don't do maxes any more, but I've ended my sets lately on 420 three times.

I just wanted to thank you for your manly and awesome presence on this earth

Thank you!

Which of your Old Spice commercials is your favorite?

Wow! that's hard. The first Odor blocker with the talking abs and the fake ending CHANGED THE GAME. But the newest one MUSCLE MUSIC is my FAVORITE! You can actually make music with my muscles! Changed the game yet again!

http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/yyxxt/i_am_terry_crews_ama/

https://www.vimeo.com/terrycrews/musclemusic


Out of all of the things you do/have done (NFL, Body Building, Acting) Which one has been your favorite? Is there any actors or actresses you would want to work with in the future?

Everything was right for me at that certain time in my life. The NFL gave me the body I have now. Without the persistance I learned in the league, I would have never made it in Hollywood. For me all of it led to my ideal future.

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Adam Sandler is the BOMB. Originally, the character Cheeseburger Eddie was supposed to be fat. He saw WHITE CHICKS. He got my number from my agent and called my house. Everytime I've worked with him he'll call my house and ask. It's nuts. I'm like "You had me at hello".

I was Cheeseburger Eddie from that moment on.

Whats up fellow Western Michigan Alum? We are all proud of you back in MI. Keep kickin ass.

Thank you! The F-L-I-N-T in the HOUSE!

is it true you haven't got any strings?

Hell yeah that's true. Loved that character in GAMER. I have a dark side.

Do you think that your past as an athlete helped you break into Hollywood or did you feel you faced actor/athlete stigma due to your past? Do you think you could have been a household Hollywood name without your history as an athlete and just your hot ass body?

It's funny. What others think is a hindrance to Hollywood has ALWAYS become someone's calling card. Barbara Streisand nose, Sly's Slur, Arnold's accent -- it's all about how you see yourself. I know there is only one ME. If you hire me- you GET ME. And there's only one. There will never be another.

Loved you on newsroom. What was your favorite part about working on the show? where you approached for the role or did you audition?

I auditioned. Read with Aaron for the part. Unlike most actors- I LOVE too audition. because if they hire you, it means they wanted you. Everybody wants to be wanted. Aaron works so hard on every detail of the show and his words bring out the best in actors. I can hardly believe how good this opportunity is. and I ain't blowing it.

Hey! I'm a big fan of basically anything you've done. Especially the chris rock sitcom. I'm wondering, when did you start working out 'seriously'?

Cheers

I was fourteen.

Your stuck on a desert island and get to bring 3 items to occupy yourself. What are they?

My wife, my, kids and Home depot.

Who would win in a fight between you, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger?

I would never fight two of the greatest men who've ever lived. I'd fight whoever they told me to fight. I'm a soldier- they are the Generals.

how did you learn to move your pectorals?

No dates.

What made you get into acting after the NFL? Were you always interested in it, or was it something you picked up on later?

I was trying to get into WRITING and directing! I did not want to act. Crazy huh? A friend invited me to an audition and I got it! a show called BATTLEDOME. Been acting ever since.

Hale Caesar!

Mr. Crews, what kind of movie role have you not done which you'd really like to do? I think you would be great in a role like a spaceship captain/commander/leader in a sci-fi movie.

I love sci-fi! I'd jump at the chance...

How many hours a day do you work out?

2 hours on lift days

Hello mr. Crews. My question is about President Camacho, that is definitely my favourite character you've done and I am very curious about how you got the part and how much of it was scripted and how much of the President was your own interpretation.

Keep up the good work!

That is one of my favorite experiences. I remember auditioning again and again and I brought 100 percent everytime. Casting agents where always telling me I was too "big" in terms of my technique. Here, it finally working in my favor. I was OVER THE TOP. It was heaven. Kinda like being in a zone. A fun, crazy futuristic idiotic zone. And I got the part.

What are your opinions on steroids, and the people who use them?

NEver used them. I empathize with those who want to be strong but there are no shortcuts. People take steroids because they BELIEVE they have no other way. Steroids are about comparing yourself to other people-- but if you just become the best YOU, you'll find you never needed them.

What is your favorite movie?

What is your favorite book?

How was your day?

Cats or dogs?

What's your favorite anime? (if you have)

My favorite anime ever is GHOST IN THE SHELL. Absolutely beautiful. I have to watch that movie once every few months. So inspiring.

My favorite movie is DO THE RIGHT THING. I was changed when I saw that movie. I saw it 20 times in the THEATER. I new I had to be in entertainment when I saw it. I wouldn't be here without it.

Hi Terry. I'm a big fan of your work and in particular your performance as President Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho.

I was 21 when I transferred to my undergrad and began my major in Film Studies. I had long been interested in film making and acting, and although I had a knack for making people laugh I was absolutely paralyzed when it came to performing or creating.

In my new surroundings at a new school, I was feeling more vulnerable but more eager to break through that barrier and get involved with creative projects on campus. I saw a posting for a casting session in the theater department that required a comedic monologue. Not being from a theater background I had no repertoire of recognizable monologues, nor did I want to pretend that I knew anything about those plays...

Instead I went in and performed President Camacho's State of the Union address and had an absolute blast. Not only did I get into the play, but I ended up getting the part I was hoping for.

That was my first experience really diving into my creative aspirations as an adult and I will always remember that as a milestone in my self development. Now I have studied acting a great deal and I am in a graduate film school as a director.

No questions, I just wanted to share that and say thank you for giving me such an inspiring gift in your performance and thank you for your extremely important words about embracing failure and stepping outside of your comfort zone. Those concepts have become all important to my life!

TL;DR: Terry's performance as President Camacho inspired me to audition for my first play using his State of the Union monologue. Terry Crews is the shit.

That monologue will set you FREE. You go to another place with that thing!

Just saw this on Facebook.... Have no idea where to begin, I have literally no idea what to say!

Terry if there was ever the need to would you go back to Everybody hates chris?

What motivates you to stay in shape?

Who was your favourite member of the cast for The Expendables 1 and 2?

I'll think of loads more!

I would love to do an EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS Christmas special. Bring everybody back and we see the beginning of Chris's stand up career and how the family dealt with it. That would be awesome...

Mr Crews, if there was a "Making Of" movie for The Expendables, where Sylvester Stallone had to go around and get people to be in his movie by beating them at their defining event (e.g. beat Jason Statham in a car race, beat Jean Claude Van Damme in a blood sport tournament), what would your event be?

The ROLLERCAGE OF FIRE.

Terry,

What kind of music do you listen to on a daily basis?

EVERYTHING. I was listening to Rick Ross, John Coltrane, Michael Buble in a megamix the other day. Chris Daughtry, Steve Perry, Tears For Fears, Kanye, all the way to Parliament. I love ALL MUSIC.

How many bullets would you say you fired in the first and second Expendables films? Both on and off screen?

100,000 bullets minimum.

Terry, what is the worst job you ever took, and what did you learn from it?

I was in college and my job was pounding in signs around campus. My boss was lazy and i did all the work. Then HE called ME lazy. I got mad and quit.

You know what I learned? I never should have quit. I should have pounded more signs. I should have been the best sign pounder in the world. But I let one guys wrong opinion of me fake me out of my money. And I needed it. I almost starve. Pride is an ugly thing that must be killed at the very sight of it.

Thanks for doing this! Do you ever regret any of your roles? Would you like Everybody Hates Chris to start again? How do you feel like going from comedy to action movies changed your acting or you feel comfortable playing in any genre of films?

No regrets. Every role has a special place in my life. I only do what I love, so that way you have no regrets. If you dont agree with something and do it anyway that sets you up for regret.

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Aaaw shucks!

Terry Crews, How can I almost be as much of a badass as you? Seriously, what do you do for lifts? I lift 6 times a week, and you are a huge motivation. You smell like outdoor freshness, you smell like..YEAH I DO!!! Don't ever change ahahaha.

Never stop being YOU. I am out to be the best ME I can be. Do what you LOVE and you will be badass.

Are you looking forward to working on Season 2 of HBO's The Newsroom?

Yes indeed! It's a wonderful show and Im proud to be a part of it. I get some KILLER lines!

How are you so cut up?

I run 3-4 miles a day. minimum.

Weekends too.

Would you ever agree to play Luke Cage in a Marvel movie? Because honestly I can't imagine anyone doing a better job than you.

I would if asked. I'd audition. I'd be ready. But if that never happens -- I'd keep creating! I only control the things I can control. I let the rest go.

Do you think events of Idiocracy are slowly taking place?

I saw a guy on America's Got Talent getting hit in the nuts. He almost won. When he WINS, we are there.

How do you feel about the push for more concussion safety in the NFL?

Definitely needed to happen. I've had several concussions in my life, and the more they can be avoided the better.

What was it like working with Sylvester Stallone?

He is a force of nature. Truly incredible. He told me he was going to make me an action star and right now, I'm among the biggest in the world. Every time I'm with him I always learn more and more. He has reached SAGE status with everyone he's around.

Whats your favorite food?

Marinated Ribeyes on the grill with steamed broccolli or spinach. I could live on that!

What's the most crazy thing you have done on set?

Almost drowned on the set of STARS EARNED STRIPES. that was crazy. and I loved it

Any advice on how to pick up ladies?

Very gently.

Dude i love you. That is all.

I love you too.

Hey Terry, do you ever get worried about being typecast?

Name anyone else going from Sorkin to Old Spice to Expendables to El Gordo e LaFLaca in one fell swoop. Nah, I ain't worried.

are you worried about being typecast as a guy who can't be typecast?

LMAO!!!

Just want to say you are an inspiration and definitely make me want to carry on lifting! You were excellent in Expendables 2 and were definitely the most entertaining out of the cast! Take it easy man.

Never stop! Slow down sometimes, but never stop! Thank you!

Will we be seeing you in the new "Friday" movie?

If they ever get it together, I'm in. But we need Chris Tucker.