Checking in with TERRY CREWS

Terry Crews hasn’t always been the host of “America’s Got Talent,” but some fans of the contest might be hard-pressed to remember that. The NFL veteran had built a career as a comedic actor when he was summoned to start presiding over the NBC competition in 2019, succeeding Tyra Banks (and her forerunners Nick Cannon, Jerry Springer and Regis Philbin), and he’s continuing that job in the contest’s 18th season on Tuesdays. Crews actually had hosted the spinoff “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” first, setting him up well to transfer to the mothership. He also had a warmup of sorts by hosting the syndicated daytime version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” for one season (2014-15), since that helped him hone his skills in dealing with contestants and being his own personality. That was a big personality to begin with, which Crews had established by starting an acting career after his time in pro football. Performing on the series “Battle Dome” convinced him to continue that path, and he built his comedy cred in movies including “Friday After Next,” “White Chicks” and the 2005 remake of the football-themed “The Longest Yard.” Television had more in store for Crews, his next series stop being “Everybody Hates Chris,” on which he played the family patriarch. He was cast as another family man on “Are We There Yet?,” then came his run as Sgt. (and later Lt.) Terry Jeffords on the critically acclaimed police satire “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” He also starred in the reality show, “The Family Crews.” For all the laughs he has generated, Crews also has managed to maintain an action image, thanks to such projects as the “Expendables” movies and “Deadpool 2.” Still, his ongoing presence on “America’s Got Talent” trumps all else for many fans … meaning that he’s still got that show for the foreseeable future.

FACTS:

Birthdate: July 30, 1968 Birthplace: Flint, Mich. Current residence: Los Angeles Marital status: Married; he has four children Other television work includes: “Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge,” “Lego Masters,” “American Dad!” (voice only), “Tales of the Walking Dead,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Hollywood Game Night,” “Celebrity Family Feud,” “Portlandia,” “Arrested Development,” “Terry Crews Saves Christmas,” “Are We There Yet?,” “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” “The Newsroom,” “The Family Crews,” “Everybody Hates Chris,” “All of Us,” “My Wife and Kids,” “CSI: Miami,” “The District,” “Battle Dome”