Terrence J

Terrence J Headshot

Actor • Model • Journalist

Birth Date: April 21, 1982

Age: 41 years old

Birth Place: Queens, New York

He may have spent his formative years in North Carolina, but there's no denying the multi-talented Terrence J possesses the innate hustle of his native New York City. An ambitious communications student at the historically black North Carolina A&T State University, J (short for Jenkins) turned a one-off appearance on "Savannah" (The WB, 1996-97) into a springboard for his breakout gig as host of BET's music video countdown "106 & Park Top 10 Live" (2000-14). Sure, interviewing music icons like Jay-Z and Madonna and putting in appearances on talk shows and music award ceremonies was fun, but he still wanted more. So after a few minor film roles, including a bit in the campy "Burlesque" (2010), the charismatic former college DJ entered the big leagues when he was cast as an unrepentant mama's boy in "Think Like a Man" (2012). Based on comedian Steve Harvey's 2009 relationship advice book, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, the movie inspired him to pen his own inspirational tome, The Wealth of My Mother's Wisdom (2013), detailing the struggles and sacrifices of his hard-working single mother. That same year Jenkins replaced Ryan Seacrest as co-anchor on "E! News" (E!, 1991- ), while cementing his reputation as an all-around entertainment star.

Born in Queens, NY in 1982, Jenkins grew up in suburban North Carolina as a self-described "little kid with big dreams." His four years at North Carolina A&T State University, where he DJ'd at a local radio station, solidified his determination to break into show business. Though his TV debut on the short-lived Southern drama "Savannah" failed to make waves, Jenkins' laser-like focus and engaging personality eventually landed him the plum job of co-host on BET's influential "106 & Park Top 10 Live" countdown show. He anchored the series for nearly seven years, balancing his hosting duties with an aspiring acting career that took him from the glittery sets of "Burlesque" to the football locker rooms of "The Game" (The CW, 2006-09; BET, 2011-15). In 2012 he landed his biggest acting role to date when he was cast in the romantic comedy "Think Like a Man." Working on the film proved such an emotional experience that Jenkins signed a deal with HarperCollins to publish The Wealth of My Mother's Wisdom, where he celebrated the lessons his strong and successful single mother passed down to him. After a supporting role in the high-flying romantic comedy "Baggage Claim" (2013) as a lovelorn fiancée, Jenkins left BET for another hosting gig, replacing the ubiquitous Ryan Seacrest as the highly visible co-anchor of the long-running entertainment news program "E! News."

Credits

FearStream

Actor
Russ
Movie
2023
21%

FearStream

Executive Producer
Movie
2023
21%

The Oscars Red Carpet Show

Host
Show
2022

Hip Hop Family Christmas WeddingStream

Actor
Blare Nixon
Movie
2022

Hip Hop Family ChristmasStream

Actor
Blare Nixon
Movie
2021

#RISE HC2K20 Concert

Actor
Show
2020

The Drew Barrymore ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2020

Saving Our Selves: A BET COVID-19 Relief Effort

Host
Show
2020

Power Confidential

Actor
Show
2019

Power Confidential

Host
Show
2019

Sherman's ShowcaseStream

Guest
Series
2019
100%

Sherman's ShowcaseStream

Guest Star
Series
2019
100%

2019 BET Awards Red Carpet Special

Host
Show
2019

Same Difference

Actor
Cameron
Movie
2019

SafeWord

Executive Producer
Show
2017

SafeWord

Host
Show
2017

StarStream

Guest Star
Ryan J
Series
2016

2016 Miss USA

Host
Show
2016

CoupledStream

Host
Reality
2016

The Dunk King

Host
Show
2016

Coupled: Extras

Actor
Show
2016

24th Annual Trumpet Awards Show

Host
Show
2016

The Perfect MatchStream

Actor
Charlie
Movie
2016
22%

The Perfect MatchStream

Producer
Movie
2016
22%

Truth Be ToldStream

Guest Star
Series
2015
15%

Miss USA 2015

Judge
Show
2015

McDonald's 365 Black Awards 2014

Host
Show
2014

Hollywood Today Live

Guest
Show
2014

Hollywood Today Live

Host
Show
2014

Live From The Red Carpet: The IHeartRadio Music Awards

Guest
Show
2014

Are You the One?Stream

Host
Reality
2014

Are You the One?Stream

Self
Reality
2014

Think Like a Man TooStream

Actor
Michael
Movie
2014
24%

Live From the Red Carpet: The 2013 American Music Awards

Host
Show
2013

The Arsenio Hall Show

Guest
Show
2013

The Real

Guest
Talk
2013

Battle of the Year

Self
Movie
2013

White T

Actor
Raekwon
Movie
2013

Baggage ClaimStream

Actor
Sheree's Fiance
Movie
2013
16%

Home & Family

Guest
Talk
2012

Steve Harvey

Guest
Talk
2012

Think Like a ManStream

Actor
Michael
Movie
2012
54%

Sparkle

Actor
Red
Movie
2012

RidiculousnessStream

Guest
Reality
2011

The Talk

Guest
Talk
2010

BurlesqueStream

Actor
Dave
Movie
2010
37%

Kourtney & Khloé Take Miami

Self
Show
2009

The Wendy Williams Show

Guest
Talk
2008

The Wendy Williams Show

Host
Talk
2008

Our World With Black Enterprise

Guest
Show
2006

CribsStream

Self
Reality
2000

106 & Park: BET's Top 10 Live

Actor
Show
2000

106 & Park: BET's Top 10 Live

Host
Show
2000

The View

Guest
Talk
1997

E! News

Actor
News
1991

E! News

Host
News
1991

Good Morning America

Guest
News
1975

News aboutTerrence J