Of Pearsons and Predators

Emmy-winning actor Sterling K. Brown returns to the role of Randall Pearson in This Is Us (Sept. 25) as the family comes together for an emotional third season on the hit NBC series. Brown, 42, is also appearing in the sci-fi action flick The Predator, in theaters now.

How do people respond to your performances in The People v. O.J. Simpson and This Is Us?

The reaction that you get from O.J. is, “Hell of a performance; it was like reliving the whole thing.” This Is

Us elicits, “Can I have a hug?”

You play Will Traeger in The Predator, the fourth of the Predator films. Who is Will?

Traeger is in charge of Operation Stargazer, which monitors alien movements. He is definitely not a fan of the Predators. He wants everything he wants on his own terms. He can rub everyone the wrong way.

What’s on your career to-do list?

I like a romantic comedy as much as the next person. I want to do my Tom Hanks or Billy Crystal thing. I would love to lead an action franchise. I saw Tom Cruise at age 56 running his ass off. He gives me hope.