A cult worth billions, living life as a revenge  movie and hiding feelings with fast food and porn.  
A cult worth billions, living life as a revenge  movie and hiding feelings with fast food and porn.  

Terry Crews may seem like one of the happiest  actors around, but he's no stranger to tragedy.
Terry Crews may seem like one of the happiest  actors around, but he's no stranger to tragedy.

Terry Crews comes from a strict religious  family in Flint, Michigan. As a child,  
Terry Crews comes from a strict religious  family in Flint, Michigan. As a child,  

he wasn't allowed to play sports, listen to  popular music, or go to a movie theater, as he  
he wasn't allowed to play sports, listen to  popular music, or go to a movie theater, as he  

explained on ABC's "Popcorn With Peter Travers."  Crews said that, at age nine, he begged his mom to  
explained on ABC's "Popcorn With Peter Travers."  Crews said that, at age nine, he begged his mom to  

let him see "Star Wars" at a drive-in theater.  That's when he realized what he was missing.
let him see "Star Wars" at a drive-in theater.  That's when he realized what he was missing.

"I didn't know I was going to  be an actor, but I was like,  
"I didn't know I was going to  be an actor, but I was like,  

'Somehow, someway, this changed my life!'"
'Somehow, someway, this changed my life!'"

The bigger problem for the "Brooklyn Nine-Nine”  
The bigger problem for the "Brooklyn Nine-Nine”  

star was his hot-tempered dad,  as he told Wendy Williams -
star was his hot-tempered dad,  as he told Wendy Williams -

"My father was addicted to alcohol and  my mother was addicted to religion."
"My father was addicted to alcohol and  my mother was addicted to religion."

On an episode of "Running Wild with Bear  Grylls," Crews said that he bulked up to  
On an episode of "Running Wild with Bear  Grylls," Crews said that he bulked up to  

defend his mother from his father whenever  he became abusive and beat her, saying -
defend his mother from his father whenever  he became abusive and beat her, saying -

"It was one of those things where  I knew I would have to get stronger  
"It was one of those things where  I knew I would have to get stronger  

because one day I thought I'd have to fight him."
because one day I thought I'd have to fight him."

According to USA Today, on Christmas Day 2000,  
According to USA Today, on Christmas Day 2000,  

Crews' father smacked his wife so  hard that according to the actor,  
Crews' father smacked his wife so  hard that according to the actor,  

it messed up one of her teeth. Crews lept into  action and admitted to beating up his father in  
it messed up one of her teeth. Crews lept into  action and admitted to beating up his father in  

retaliation. Thinking he might feel some sense of  relief or retribution for his mom, Crews said -
retaliation. Thinking he might feel some sense of  relief or retribution for his mom, Crews said -

"I didn't feel one bit better.  It left me with nothing."
"I didn't feel one bit better.  It left me with nothing."

Terry Crews had a less-than-stellar five-year  career in the NFL. He played for the Los  
Terry Crews had a less-than-stellar five-year  career in the NFL. He played for the Los  

Angeles Rams, the Green Bay Packers,  and others before he retired in 1996,  
Angeles Rams, the Green Bay Packers,  and others before he retired in 1996,  

though he may have burned a few bridges with some  of his teammates after his departure. During a  
though he may have burned a few bridges with some  of his teammates after his departure. During a  

2017 appearance on "First We Feast," he opened up  about why he ditched the NFL for good, saying -
2017 appearance on "First We Feast," he opened up  about why he ditched the NFL for good, saying -

"I got a tryout with the 49ers  [in 1997]. And they treated me  
"I got a tryout with the 49ers  [in 1997]. And they treated me  

so bad. I mean, they treated me like I was dirt."
so bad. I mean, they treated me like I was dirt."

That, he explained, was the last straw and  he told his wife that he was done with his  
That, he explained, was the last straw and  he told his wife that he was done with his  

football career. In 2014, there was another dustup  with the league. According to Sports Illustrated,  
football career. In 2014, there was another dustup  with the league. According to Sports Illustrated,  

former players were suing the NFL for  giving pain medications and other drugs  
former players were suing the NFL for  giving pain medications and other drugs  

to its athletes so they could keep playing,  despite the long term risks. On SI Now, Crews  
to its athletes so they could keep playing,  despite the long term risks. On SI Now, Crews  

was asked if he would decline drugs or surgery  if a team doctor recommended it. In his answer,  
was asked if he would decline drugs or surgery  if a team doctor recommended it. In his answer,  

the former linebacker suggested that the league  may not be watching the players' backs, saying -
the former linebacker suggested that the league  may not be watching the players' backs, saying -

"It's really like a cult. I'm going to say it.  The NFL is a cult […] you believe in it and  
"It's really like a cult. I'm going to say it.  The NFL is a cult […] you believe in it and  

you're like 'They wouldn't do anything to hurt me.  They never would.' And, uh oh, maybe they would."
you're like 'They wouldn't do anything to hurt me.  They never would.' And, uh oh, maybe they would."

When the former NFL star first  showed up in Hollywood, he was  
When the former NFL star first  showed up in Hollywood, he was  

in for a rude awakening, as Crews told Inc. -
in for a rude awakening, as Crews told Inc. -

"It was a big shock to me. I moved to Los Angeles  
"It was a big shock to me. I moved to Los Angeles  

thinking that because I was a football  player, I was going to get a lot of big  
thinking that because I was a football  player, I was going to get a lot of big  

opportunities. They didn't even have  a football team then, nobody cared!"
opportunities. They didn't even have  a football team then, nobody cared!"

In a 2014 interview with HuffPost,  
In a 2014 interview with HuffPost,  

the "America's Got Talent" host recalled  his first job in California, saying -
the "America's Got Talent" host recalled  his first job in California, saying -

"I picked up a broom and I was  sweeping factories […] I was like,  
"I picked up a broom and I was  sweeping factories […] I was like,  

'This is horrible, I can't do this.'"
'This is horrible, I can't do this.'"

In an essay for The Wall  Street Journal, Crews wrote -  
In an essay for The Wall  Street Journal, Crews wrote -  

"I could not believe how far my life  had come down, from the NFL to this."
"I could not believe how far my life  had come down, from the NFL to this."

But he swallowed his pride and  continued to push that broom,  
But he swallowed his pride and  continued to push that broom,  

telling CNBC that he was  never broke again after that.
telling CNBC that he was  never broke again after that.

Before quitting football, the  former linebacker created his  
Before quitting football, the  former linebacker created his  

own cottage industry. On "Jimmy Kimmel Live,"  he explained that after being cut from a team,  
own cottage industry. On "Jimmy Kimmel Live,"  he explained that after being cut from a team,  

he would ask the players if they  wanted him to paint their portraits.
he would ask the players if they  wanted him to paint their portraits.

"It would literally take me about two  months to do a painting, and they would  
"It would literally take me about two  months to do a painting, and they would  

give me like five grand and I would survive  off that. My whole family survived off that."
give me like five grand and I would survive  off that. My whole family survived off that."

Many pro athletes struggle with  their post-retirement transitions,  
Many pro athletes struggle with  their post-retirement transitions,  

and Terry Crews was no exception. He was depressed  after going from professional athlete to barely  
and Terry Crews was no exception. He was depressed  after going from professional athlete to barely  

scraping by, and he turned to fast food for  comfort. After indulging himself in burgers,  
scraping by, and he turned to fast food for  comfort. After indulging himself in burgers,  

fries, and bags of cookies, he packed  on 30 pounds, sharing with ABC News -
fries, and bags of cookies, he packed  on 30 pounds, sharing with ABC News -

"I learned that a lot of the eating thing and any  
"I learned that a lot of the eating thing and any  

problem with eating has a lot  to do more with your emotions."
problem with eating has a lot  to do more with your emotions."

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter  about his memoir, "Tough," Crews revealed  
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter  about his memoir, "Tough," Crews revealed  

that despite his early success, he would often get  depressed as soon as a project was done, saying:
that despite his early success, he would often get  depressed as soon as a project was done, saying:

"I had determined my worth through the opinions  of other people. So, it was like, if everyone  
"I had determined my worth through the opinions  of other people. So, it was like, if everyone  

loved me then I was great. But if I wasn't working  […] I was a failure […] I was never satisfied."
loved me then I was great. But if I wasn't working  […] I was a failure […] I was never satisfied."

In his 2014 book, "Manhood," the  "White Chicks" actor explained that  
In his 2014 book, "Manhood," the  "White Chicks" actor explained that  

his mental state was intertwined  with his porn addiction, writing -
his mental state was intertwined  with his porn addiction, writing -

"I soon established a pattern where,  anytime I was dealing with anxiety,  
"I soon established a pattern where,  anytime I was dealing with anxiety,  

I acted out with pornography. On the  one hand, I felt bad because I knew I  
I acted out with pornography. On the  one hand, I felt bad because I knew I  

shouldn't do so, but at the same time, it was  exhilarating, a rush, like taking a drug."
shouldn't do so, but at the same time, it was  exhilarating, a rush, like taking a drug."

Terry Crews was obsessed with porn from  a very young age, telling Wendy Williams  
Terry Crews was obsessed with porn from  a very young age, telling Wendy Williams  

in 2015 that he had been addicted since  he was 12 years old. The following year,  
in 2015 that he had been addicted since  he was 12 years old. The following year,  

he posted a series of videos on  Facebook, coming clean about his  
he posted a series of videos on  Facebook, coming clean about his  

"Dirty Little Secret." He started by dispelling  the myth that nobody can be addicted to porn.
"Dirty Little Secret." He started by dispelling  the myth that nobody can be addicted to porn.

"If day turns into night  and you are still watching,  
"If day turns into night  and you are still watching,  

you probably got a problem. And that was me."
you probably got a problem. And that was me."

He explained how it impacted him, going onto say -
He explained how it impacted him, going onto say -

"It changes the way you think about people.  People become objects. People become body parts;  
"It changes the way you think about people.  People become objects. People become body parts;  

they become things to be used  rather than people to be loved."
they become things to be used  rather than people to be loved."

Terry Crews shared that his addiction threatened  his marriage, and wanting to change, he went  
Terry Crews shared that his addiction threatened  his marriage, and wanting to change, he went  

to rehab and kicked the porn habit, but never  spoke to anyone about it, including his wife,  
to rehab and kicked the porn habit, but never  spoke to anyone about it, including his wife,  

for years. His addiction and his silence drove  the couple apart, with Crews telling People -
for years. His addiction and his silence drove  the couple apart, with Crews telling People -

"Every time I watched it, I was walled  off. It was like another brick that came  
"Every time I watched it, I was walled  off. It was like another brick that came  

between me and my wife. [...]  Fame made it worse! Hollywood  
between me and my wife. [...]  Fame made it worse! Hollywood  

didn't care. It still doesn't care if you  lose your family. It happens every day."
didn't care. It still doesn't care if you  lose your family. It happens every day."

In 2010, after two decades together, Terry  Crews' marriage to singer Rebecca King-Crews  
In 2010, after two decades together, Terry  Crews' marriage to singer Rebecca King-Crews  

had reached its breaking point. In  their 2021 audio memoir "Stronger  
had reached its breaking point. In  their 2021 audio memoir "Stronger  

Together," Rebecca recounts what they  refer to as their "D-Day." After Terry  
Together," Rebecca recounts what they  refer to as their "D-Day." After Terry  

opened up about his porn addiction  and being unfaithful, she said -
opened up about his porn addiction  and being unfaithful, she said -

"It was like death."
"It was like death."

Rebecca threatened to walk out on him and Terry  
Rebecca threatened to walk out on him and Terry  

admitted he couldn't stop crying. She  would stay in her bedroom for days,  
admitted he couldn't stop crying. She  would stay in her bedroom for days,  

and the children were caught in the middle of it.  Terry eventually patched things up with Rebecca,  
and the children were caught in the middle of it.  Terry eventually patched things up with Rebecca,  

after he did the work in rehab and therapy.  In his Facebook confession, Terry said -
after he did the work in rehab and therapy.  In his Facebook confession, Terry said -

"I did not get help so I could get  my wife back […] I got help because  
"I did not get help so I could get  my wife back […] I got help because  

I needed it […] She did decide to stay  with me because she knew I was repentant."
I needed it […] She did decide to stay  with me because she knew I was repentant."

Terry's control issues also created  tension over the years in their  
Terry's control issues also created  tension over the years in their  

marriage. In a recent interview with  Newsweek, the "Everybody Hates Chris"  
marriage. In a recent interview with  Newsweek, the "Everybody Hates Chris"  

actor said he had to learn how to be an  equal partner with his wife, admitting -
actor said he had to learn how to be an  equal partner with his wife, admitting -

"Growing up, I was always told that to be a  man you had to take ownership of your house and  
"Growing up, I was always told that to be a  man you had to take ownership of your house and  

everyone in it. I had to realize that you cannot  love someone and control them at the same time."
everyone in it. I had to realize that you cannot  love someone and control them at the same time."

After growing up in a violent home, it  took Terry Crews a while to admit he  
After growing up in a violent home, it  took Terry Crews a while to admit he  

had anger management issues of his own, saying  during a panel at the 2018 Teen Vogue Summit -
had anger management issues of his own, saying  during a panel at the 2018 Teen Vogue Summit -

"I've been involved in some  of the most competitive,  
"I've been involved in some  of the most competitive,  

toxic environments you could probably ever be  in […] but I was also a card-carrying member."
toxic environments you could probably ever be  in […] but I was also a card-carrying member."

The "Expendables 3" actor said that his anger  issues were on full display while raising his  
The "Expendables 3" actor said that his anger  issues were on full display while raising his  

eldest daughter, and while speaking to ET, Crews  admitted he had a history of popping off, saying -
eldest daughter, and while speaking to ET, Crews  admitted he had a history of popping off, saying -

"You have to understand - I lived life  like it was a revenge movie. [...] I'm  
"You have to understand - I lived life  like it was a revenge movie. [...] I'm  

gonna get everybody back who ever  did anything wrong to me ever."
gonna get everybody back who ever  did anything wrong to me ever."

One time, after a man was disrespectful  to his wife, he slammed a guy head-first  
One time, after a man was disrespectful  to his wife, he slammed a guy head-first  

onto the concrete, after which Rebecca  pulled him aside for a serious talk.
onto the concrete, after which Rebecca  pulled him aside for a serious talk.

"She said, 'At the minimum, you're gonna get sued,  
"She said, 'At the minimum, you're gonna get sued,  

okay? And at the maximum,  someone is going to kill you.'"
okay? And at the maximum,  someone is going to kill you.'"

In "Tough," Crews wrote why  he believes controlling your  
In "Tough," Crews wrote why  he believes controlling your  

anger is actually a sign of strength, writing -
anger is actually a sign of strength, writing -

"Anytime you're acting out of anger, you are  not in control. You're allowing yourself to  
"Anytime you're acting out of anger, you are  not in control. You're allowing yourself to  

be provoked. To be filled with anger  and rage is to be powerless and weak."
be provoked. To be filled with anger  and rage is to be powerless and weak."

In 2017, Terry Crews became one of the  first men to come forward with his story  
In 2017, Terry Crews became one of the  first men to come forward with his story  

as part of the #MeToo Movement. With a series  of tweets, he shared that while he and his wife  
as part of the #MeToo Movement. With a series  of tweets, he shared that while he and his wife  

were at a Hollywood function, an executive  came over and groped his privates. Then,  
were at a Hollywood function, an executive  came over and groped his privates. Then,  

in an interview on "Good Morning America," the  actor identified the executive as Adam Venit,  
in an interview on "Good Morning America," the  actor identified the executive as Adam Venit,  

a high-powered talent agent with William  Morris Endeavor, also known as WME.
a high-powered talent agent with William  Morris Endeavor, also known as WME.

"He comes over to me, I stick my hand out,  
"He comes over to me, I stick my hand out,  

and he literally takes his hand and  puts it and squeezes my genitals."
and he literally takes his hand and  puts it and squeezes my genitals."

Crews went on to speak about how he felt  powerless after the incident, saying -
Crews went on to speak about how he felt  powerless after the incident, saying -

"When a person of power breaks that boundary and  violates that boundary, you're a prisoner of war."
"When a person of power breaks that boundary and  violates that boundary, you're a prisoner of war."

He also spoke about being unfairly  judged once the story broke,  
He also spoke about being unfairly  judged once the story broke,  

telling Newsweek that he  was victim-shamed and said -
telling Newsweek that he  was victim-shamed and said -

"I remember a time when people told me  'it's impossible for you to get sexually  
"I remember a time when people told me  'it's impossible for you to get sexually  

assaulted. You're too big.' But that's  like saying you're too big to get shot."
assaulted. You're too big.' But that's  like saying you're too big to get shot."

According to USA Today, Crews filed a lawsuit  against Venit and WME, which was settled in 2018.  
According to USA Today, Crews filed a lawsuit  against Venit and WME, which was settled in 2018.  

According to a statement obtained by The Hollywood  Reporter, Venit was planning to leave the agency.
According to a statement obtained by The Hollywood  Reporter, Venit was planning to leave the agency.

Following Terry Crews' sexual assault  allegations, he was invited to testify  
Following Terry Crews' sexual assault  allegations, he was invited to testify  

before the Senate Judiciary Committee about a  bill to support sexual assault survivors, saying -
before the Senate Judiciary Committee about a  bill to support sexual assault survivors, saying -

"What happened to me has happened to many,  
"What happened to me has happened to many,  

many other men in Hollywood, and  since I came forward with my story,  
many other men in Hollywood, and  since I came forward with my story,  

I have had thousands and thousands of men come  to me and say, 'Me too, this is my story."
I have had thousands and thousands of men come  to me and say, 'Me too, this is my story."

After filing his lawsuit, Crews said  calls stopped coming in and he was in  
After filing his lawsuit, Crews said  calls stopped coming in and he was in  

danger of being blacklisted as a result of  speaking out. In 2018, he told BuzzFeed -
danger of being blacklisted as a result of  speaking out. In 2018, he told BuzzFeed -

"People don't understand that Hollywood is a very  
"People don't understand that Hollywood is a very  

violent place. The best way to put  it is that it's like a plantation."
violent place. The best way to put  it is that it's like a plantation."

A year later, on "The Clay  Cane Show" for Sirius XM, he  
A year later, on "The Clay  Cane Show" for Sirius XM, he  

was asked if he felt freed, to which he replied -
was asked if he felt freed, to which he replied -

"I ran away, I'm the slave that ran  away […] You got to understand, I mean,  
"I ran away, I'm the slave that ran  away […] You got to understand, I mean,  

I was being followed, our phones were  tapped […] you talking a lot of money,  
I was being followed, our phones were  tapped […] you talking a lot of money,  

a billion dollar industry. The whole point was to  find dirt on me that they could use against me."
a billion dollar industry. The whole point was to  find dirt on me that they could use against me."

In spite of it all, Crews's career seems to  be thriving, with the actor telling Buzzfeed -
In spite of it all, Crews's career seems to  be thriving, with the actor telling Buzzfeed -

"They don't want to see me comment,  but I'm not going anywhere."
"They don't want to see me comment,  but I'm not going anywhere."

If you or someone you know is struggling  with mental health, please contact the  
If you or someone you know is struggling  with mental health, please contact the  

Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741,  call the National Alliance on Mental Illness  
Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741,  call the National Alliance on Mental Illness  

helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the  National Institute of Mental Health website.
helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the  National Institute of Mental Health website.