Terry Crews: More Than Just A Host, A Man Who Embraces His Positive Side And Family Life

If you have watched America's Got Talent over the last few years, you have seen Terry Crews light up the stage. The former NFL player turned actor has been a huge part of the AGT family for a while. At 56 years old, he brings a unique energy to everything he does. Many of us see him as the endlessly positive, muscly guy from Old Spice ads or Brooklyn Nine-Nine. But when you look closer, you realize he is a lot more than just a famous face. He really means it when he says he takes his job as AGT host seriously.

In a May 2025 interview with Craig Melvin on TODAY, Crews explained that his hosting job goes beyond simply announcing acts. He sees himself as a mentor to the contestants. He explained that many acts are just full of nerves. His job is to help them feel calm and tell them this is what they have been preparing for their whole life. This is their moment. He also sees himself as a counselor for when things go wrong. When things do not happen the way a contestant wants, he is there. He tells them "Welcome to the biz," because it has happened to all of us. All of us, at some point, have faced rejection. It is easy to see how he builds a real connection with the people on stage. It is clear he truly cares about them.

Before Crews came on board for season 14 in 2019, Tyra Banks hosted for two seasons. Before her, Nick Cannon was the host for many years. The first host of AGT was Regis Philbin, followed by Jerry Springer for seasons two and three. So Crews stepped into big shoes, but he definitely made the role his own. Simon Cowell, an AGT judge and executive producer, knew Crews would be a good host for the show. Crews himself talked about Cowell's impact saying, "Look at all the careers that he has put on track into the stratosphere, including mine." For Crews, hosting the number one talent show in the world is a dream come true. He even hosted his high school talent show. It was clearly meant to be. He believes AGT only gets bigger and better. He is always amazed. You think you have seen it all, and then every year the new acts surprise you again.

Why Terry Crews Loves Hosting America's Got Talent And Refuses To Judge

His Heart Is With The Contestants, Not Behind The Judges' Table

You will not see Terry Crews sitting with the judges on America's Got Talent anytime soon. He told PEOPLE that he is most comfortable as the host. He calls himself a "bodyguard" for the talent. "That's not my thing," he said about being a judge. He feels like he is a protector for the contestants because when he looks at them, they remind him of himself. He remembers praying in Michigan one day, hoping for a chance to go to LA and make it happen. Their stories remind him of everything he has been through. So he protects their dreams and watches over them. This kind of empathy is not something you always see in a show's host.

Crews explained that he is there to support the contestants, no matter how well they do or do not do. He is their counselor when they go on stage. He gives them good advice when they come off. If things did not go well, he comforts them. He truly loves that part of his job. This dream gig is something special for him. "Where else can you go where the whole world is watching?" he asked. It shows how much he appreciates the platform he has and how seriously he takes his role in supporting new talent.

Even though he does not want to be a judge, Crews has an idea for who would make a good one. He thinks Chris Rock would be a great judge alongside Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofía Vergara, and Mel B. Crews believes Rock knows what is funny and what makes good entertainment. This shows he thinks about the show beyond his own role. He sees what would make the judging panel even stronger. His enthusiasm for the show and its success is clear in every episode.

Terry Crews On His Enduring Marriage And How His Family Is The Core Of His World

After 36 Years, Terry Crews Believes His Marriage To Rebecca Is Better Than Ever

Terry Crews and his wife Rebecca King-Crews have been married for 36 years. That is a truly amazing feat in Hollywood, or anywhere really. He spoke to Us Weekly about their marriage and why it is "better than ever." The college sweethearts met at Western Michigan University in the late 1980s. They got married on July 29, 1989, in Gary, Indiana. Crews shared the secret to their long-lasting union is really about finding out what each person needs. He asks himself, "What does she need and how can I provide that?" He says Rebecca does the same for him, asking "What does he need? And how can I be the person that gives that to him?" He believes this approach has made their marriage even better after three decades. He thinks they will go on to eternity. That is his plan.

Crews also pointed out the importance of having difficult conversations. He believes these tough talks help a relationship get to the "next level." Some people think you should never argue, but he says arguments make you better. You have to go through these moments. The only way out is through, he explained. Each day, he also asks himself how he can be the best husband, father, and friend he can be. For him, being a good husband comes first. If he can do that right, then it extends to his kids and the rest of the world. This is a very down-to-earth philosophy that seems to work for him.

Terry and Rebecca have five adult children: Naomi, Azriél, Tera, Wynfrey "Winnie," and Isaiah. Crews mentioned that this phase of marriage is different now that their kids are grown. They are less in a parent role and more as advisors, friends, or sometimes financiers. He loves that he and Rebecca can just pick up and go wherever they want now. His wife has really taken on this new phase. She has written books, started a clothing line, and even a church. She has done so many things because she replaced the kids with her dreams and never forgot herself. He thinks that is wonderful. It is clear he is very proud of his wife and their life together.

More Than Just An Actor: Terry Crews' Diverse Passions And Daily Life

From Designing Furniture To Finding Joy In His Unique Sunday Routines

Beyond his acting and hosting gigs, Terry Crews is a man of many talents. He played for the Rams and Chargers in the 1990s. He has starred in popular movies like White Chicks and The Expendables series. He was also a spokesperson for Old Spice. What some people might not know is that he is also a high-end furniture designer and an accomplished painter. He even wrote a memoir. People magazine has named him in their Sexiest Man Alive issue three times. He truly has a lot going on.

Crews shared some details about his ideal Sunday in Los Angeles. He is an early riser, no matter what day it is. Even "sleeping in late" for him means 6:30 or 7 AM, because he usually gets up around 4:30 or 5 AM. Every Sunday starts with a light workout, focusing on cardio and active recovery. He never misses it. He has been intermittent fasting for almost 15 years, so he does not eat breakfast. But he loves breakfast food. He goes to Erewhon, a store and restaurant, to get breakfast for his kids who often stop by. He tells them to leave him something. It is a sweet tradition.

His wife's church, L.A. Life Church, holds online services called Sonic Sundays. They record during the week, and it is a half-hour with music and a lesson. They watch it together every Sunday morning. After that, they often go to Old Town Pasadena. He has an office there, and his wife has her store, Rebecca Crews, in Hugus Alley. His daughter also works there. He enjoys walking around Old Town and grabbing a double espresso from Alfred. He sometimes does brunch at places like Soho House or LA Cha Cha Chá. For a late lunch, if he is in Glendale, he loves Egg Slut, making sure to get there before it closes at 2 PM. He orders a double bacon, double egg breakfast sandwich with a side salad.

Crews is also a big reader. He says his library of about 10,000 books is his most valuable possession. He loves getting lost in Barnes and Noble for hours. He is also a huge movie fan. Sundays are for theater watching, often for throwback movies. He loves the smell of popcorn and experiencing the reactions of other people. He goes to IPIC, where he is a gold member, because he wants a nice movie experience. He also likes to go to bed early, by 8:30 PM at the latest. He has a routine: close the curtains, make the room cool, put his phone away to avoid blue light, wash his face, brush his teeth, and then read the book of the century. He makes sure to stop at a good spot so he wonders what happens next. He gets sad when a book ends, similar to how people feel after binging a whole season of a show. He is currently reading "The Weight of Air," an autobiography about heroin addiction, and finds it inspiring because the author is so open.

Why Terry Crews Continues To Be A Respected Figure In Entertainment And Beyond

His Authentic Approach To Life Sets A Positive Example For Many People

Terry Crews has built a career and a life that truly stands out. His cheerful personality is not just for the camera. It comes from a deep personal philosophy and strong family values. Whether he is hyping up a contestant on America's Got Talent or sharing moments from his long-lasting marriage, he comes across as honest and real. His willingness to talk about the hard parts of relationships, like arguments, shows that his positive outlook is not about ignoring problems. Instead, it is about facing them directly and growing through them. He has proven that you can be a tough guy, a funny actor, a dedicated family man, and a kind mentor all at once.

His varied interests, from furniture design to reading, paint a picture of a man who is always learning and growing. He does not just stick to one thing. This makes him a very interesting person to follow. The fact that he thinks about his family and his well-being in everything he does shows that he has his priorities straight. It is no wonder he continues to be a respected figure in entertainment and beyond. He sets a good example for how to live a full and happy life, always striving to be the best version of himself for his family and for the world around him.