Photo:Michael Tullberg/Getty Images; Jon Kopaloff/Getty ImagesTerry Crewsis a proud dad to former small-screen sonTyler James Williams.In a tribute written about Williams, who is one of this year’sTIME 100 Nexthonorees, theAmerica’s Got Talenthost, 55, reminisced about working with Williams, now 30, when he was starring inEverybody Hates Chrisat the young age of 13.The former NFL pro recalled feeling “nervous” about his first television gig on the early 2000s sitcom loosely based onChris Rock’s youth in New York City. According to Crews, he’d been warned that “the biggest obstacles on set were kids and animals,” so he knew whoever was cast to play a version of theSaturday Night Livealum “would need to be a superstar.”Jaimie Trueblood/CBS Photo Archive via Getty ImagesFutureBrooklyn Nine-Ninestar Crews also admitted in his essay that, as a father himself, he “worried about the pressure children in Hollywood face.”“Then we had our first scenes together,” Crews wrote. “Tyler delivered his lines effortlessly, his comedic instincts razor-sharp. And when he was done working, he broke out into a big, beautiful smile.”Rich Polk/NBC via Getty; Robert Voets/CBS Photo Archive/Getty“That Tyler has grown into a brilliant talent is no surprise," Crews continued. “I ran into him last year and told him how proud and thankful I am to have worked with someone who, at such a young age, carried the show. He gave me that smile.”“There’s nothing harder than going fromchild star to adult star, but Tyler has always been comfortable with himself, and it’s why he’ll continue to shine,” he summed up.Crews and Williams starred inEverybody Hates Chrisfor four seasons from 2005 to 2009. Since taking on the titular role, Williams has gone onto act in the 2014 movieDear White Peopleand book parts inThe Walking DeadandCriminal Minds.He cemented his leading man status in 2021 whenAbbott Elementarydebuted and fans met his characterGregory Eddie. (Williams has gone on to win a2023 Golden Globeand earn two Emmy nominations for the role).Tyler James Williams.Frazer Harrison/GettyBack in March, Williams recalled how a producer onEverybody Hates Chrisonce told him, “I’ll never see you as anything else andyou’ll probably never work again.“He toldGQ, “I was like, ‘Holy s—, you really just looked at me and said that.'” Though Williams acknowledged the comment could have been a joke, he still took it to heart.The actor added that he understood “pretty f—ing quickly” that young celebrities can get pigeonholed into perpetually playing teen roles — this epiphany allowed Williams to change the path of his career afterEverybody Hates Chrisended.“I realized at 17 that I didn’t like the road I was on,” he explained. “So I decided to stop and pivot. I got with a really good acting coach and I turned down every single thing I was offered.“Despite this, Williams said his time on the sitcom taught him an important lesson: “I learned how to carry a show in a matter of two or three months. It’s the most useful information I’ve ever gotten in my life.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.America’s Got Talent airs Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.Abbott Elementarycan be streamed on Hulu,Brooklyn Nine-Nineon Peacock andEverybody Hates Chrison Prime Video.
Photo:Michael Tullberg/Getty Images; Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images
Michael Tullberg/Getty Images; Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images
Terry Crewsis a proud dad to former small-screen sonTyler James Williams.In a tribute written about Williams, who is one of this year’sTIME 100 Nexthonorees, theAmerica’s Got Talenthost, 55, reminisced about working with Williams, now 30, when he was starring inEverybody Hates Chrisat the young age of 13.The former NFL pro recalled feeling “nervous” about his first television gig on the early 2000s sitcom loosely based onChris Rock’s youth in New York City. According to Crews, he’d been warned that “the biggest obstacles on set were kids and animals,” so he knew whoever was cast to play a version of theSaturday Night Livealum “would need to be a superstar.”Jaimie Trueblood/CBS Photo Archive via Getty ImagesFutureBrooklyn Nine-Ninestar Crews also admitted in his essay that, as a father himself, he “worried about the pressure children in Hollywood face.”“Then we had our first scenes together,” Crews wrote. “Tyler delivered his lines effortlessly, his comedic instincts razor-sharp. And when he was done working, he broke out into a big, beautiful smile.”Rich Polk/NBC via Getty; Robert Voets/CBS Photo Archive/Getty“That Tyler has grown into a brilliant talent is no surprise,” Crews continued. “I ran into him last year and told him how proud and thankful I am to have worked with someone who, at such a young age, carried the show. He gave me that smile.”“There’s nothing harder than going fromchild star to adult star, but Tyler has always been comfortable with himself, and it’s why he’ll continue to shine,” he summed up.Crews and Williams starred inEverybody Hates Chrisfor four seasons from 2005 to 2009. Since taking on the titular role, Williams has gone onto act in the 2014 movieDear White Peopleand book parts inThe Walking DeadandCriminal Minds.He cemented his leading man status in 2021 whenAbbott Elementarydebuted and fans met his characterGregory Eddie. (Williams has gone on to win a2023 Golden Globeand earn two Emmy nominations for the role).Tyler James Williams.Frazer Harrison/GettyBack in March, Williams recalled how a producer onEverybody Hates Chrisonce told him, “I’ll never see you as anything else andyou’ll probably never work again.“He toldGQ, “I was like, ‘Holy s—, you really just looked at me and said that.'” Though Williams acknowledged the comment could have been a joke, he still took it to heart.The actor added that he understood “pretty f—ing quickly” that young celebrities can get pigeonholed into perpetually playing teen roles — this epiphany allowed Williams to change the path of his career afterEverybody Hates Chrisended.“I realized at 17 that I didn’t like the road I was on,” he explained. “So I decided to stop and pivot. I got with a really good acting coach and I turned down every single thing I was offered.“Despite this, Williams said his time on the sitcom taught him an important lesson: “I learned how to carry a show in a matter of two or three months. It’s the most useful information I’ve ever gotten in my life.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.America’s Got Talent airs Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.Abbott Elementarycan be streamed on Hulu,Brooklyn Nine-Nineon Peacock andEverybody Hates Chrison Prime Video.
Terry Crewsis a proud dad to former small-screen sonTyler James Williams.
In a tribute written about Williams, who is one of this year’sTIME 100 Nexthonorees, theAmerica’s Got Talenthost, 55, reminisced about working with Williams, now 30, when he was starring inEverybody Hates Chrisat the young age of 13.
The former NFL pro recalled feeling “nervous” about his first television gig on the early 2000s sitcom loosely based onChris Rock’s youth in New York City. According to Crews, he’d been warned that “the biggest obstacles on set were kids and animals,” so he knew whoever was cast to play a version of theSaturday Night Livealum “would need to be a superstar.”
Jaimie Trueblood/CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images
FutureBrooklyn Nine-Ninestar Crews also admitted in his essay that, as a father himself, he “worried about the pressure children in Hollywood face.”
“Then we had our first scenes together,” Crews wrote. “Tyler delivered his lines effortlessly, his comedic instincts razor-sharp. And when he was done working, he broke out into a big, beautiful smile.”
Rich Polk/NBC via Getty; Robert Voets/CBS Photo Archive/Getty
“That Tyler has grown into a brilliant talent is no surprise,” Crews continued. “I ran into him last year and told him how proud and thankful I am to have worked with someone who, at such a young age, carried the show. He gave me that smile.”
“There’s nothing harder than going fromchild star to adult star, but Tyler has always been comfortable with himself, and it’s why he’ll continue to shine,” he summed up.
Crews and Williams starred inEverybody Hates Chrisfor four seasons from 2005 to 2009. Since taking on the titular role, Williams has gone onto act in the 2014 movieDear White Peopleand book parts inThe Walking DeadandCriminal Minds.
He cemented his leading man status in 2021 whenAbbott Elementarydebuted and fans met his characterGregory Eddie. (Williams has gone on to win a2023 Golden Globeand earn two Emmy nominations for the role).
Tyler James Williams.Frazer Harrison/Getty
Back in March, Williams recalled how a producer onEverybody Hates Chrisonce told him, “I’ll never see you as anything else andyou’ll probably never work again.”
He toldGQ, “I was like, ‘Holy s—, you really just looked at me and said that.'” Though Williams acknowledged the comment could have been a joke, he still took it to heart.
The actor added that he understood “pretty f—ing quickly” that young celebrities can get pigeonholed into perpetually playing teen roles — this epiphany allowed Williams to change the path of his career afterEverybody Hates Chrisended.
“I realized at 17 that I didn’t like the road I was on,” he explained. “So I decided to stop and pivot. I got with a really good acting coach and I turned down every single thing I was offered.”
Despite this, Williams said his time on the sitcom taught him an important lesson: “I learned how to carry a show in a matter of two or three months. It’s the most useful information I’ve ever gotten in my life.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
America’s Got Talent airs Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.Abbott Elementarycan be streamed on Hulu,Brooklyn Nine-Nineon Peacock andEverybody Hates Chrison Prime Video.
source: people.com
