Actor Terry Crews is best known for the portrayal of Terry Jeffords in the sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine. While the sitcom made Crews a household name, the actor initially struggled to carve a name for himself in Hollywood, having made his film debut in 2000. One of Crews’ earliest roles was in Denzel Washington’s 2001 crime thriller film Training Day.
While the film earned Washington an Academy Award for Best Actor, it also gave Crews a start in Hollywood. In a recent interview, Crews spoke about getting paid next to nothing for his role in the movie. However, the actor revealed how the film helped him further his career and he remained grateful for the experience. Here is what Terry Crews said about his early struggles in Hollywood.
Terry Crews Reveals How Much He Made For Denzel Washington’s Training Day
Terry Crews made his screen debut in 1999 with a small role in the television series Battle Dome. His first film role was in the 2000 sci-fi movie The 6th Day. Crews followed up that role with 2001’s Training Day, starring Denzel Washington, where he appears as a gang member in an uncredited role.
Recently, Crews appeared on Shannon Sharpe’s YouTube channel, Club Shay Shay, where he discussed various aspects of his career. During the conversation, Crews revealed that he was paid almost nothing for his role in Training Day.
“I didn’t get zero [for Training Day], but it changed my life forever. You wouldn’t know who I was if it weren’t for a no-paying job.”
Crews’ words suggest that he was grateful for the opportunity to play a small part in the film as he was in the early stages of his career. As a result, Crews did not mind the small salary he was paid for the role.
Crews also explained that for his next film role in 2002’s Friday After Next, he was paid $4,000. Crews implied that it was only possible to further his career because of the small role in Training Day, which helped him get some recognition and led to other opportunities.
Terry Crews Talks Choosing Passion Over Money in the Film Industry
In the same interview, Crew also spoke at length about some of his earlier struggles in Hollywood. Crews explained that since his earliest days in the film industry, he chose projects that he loved, allowing him to feel a sense of gratitude towards his work. Crews explained his approach by using football as a metaphor.
“Name somebody who played football for money when they started. When they start, they get no money. They play football for free.”
Crews made the above statement, explaining his willingness to take on some of the low-paying gigs such as Training Day, in the earlier stages of his career. He added:
“I got my shot. That was the start. Now, I make money.”
Crews’ football metaphor certainly makes sense since he was a professional football player from 1991 to 1996, before transitioning to acting. As a result, it seems like Crews channeled the same passion he had for the sport into his acting career, which led him to become a successful star, despite starting with some low-paying roles.
