Chicago native Craig Robinson lends voice to new movie, 'In Your Dreams'

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago's Craig Robinson lent his voice to the new animated adventure "In Your Dreams," as the toy giraffe, Baloney Tony.

That comical critter joins a brother and sister as they explore a fantasy world to save their family.

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The Whitney Young graduate recently talked about bringing his sense of humor to the movie for kids and grownups alike.

"I love the animation. I love that I get to act a complete fool in it. And it's just so much fun. It's good for the soul," Robinson said. "You go in; you're going to, you can be in your pajamas if you want. You go in there. You're solo. You get a lot of chances to try different things and, you know, really, really hone in and figure out who that character is."

Robinson said he had a wild imagination when he was younger, but he wasn't sure if he could've pictured how his life has turned out.

"I don't think I imagine like it. But what I imagine, I wanted to be Gary Coleman at one point. I use to like 'Diff'rent Strokes,' and I was going. I had a part in my head," he said.

Robinson said he still pinches himself sometimes to realize this is his life.

"All the time, yeah, yeah, it was just going to the Bulls game last night courtside. I had took my father, you know. I got a jersey. It is really surreal," he said. "You know, Chicago, I'm Chicago through and through. So it's got to show up some kind of way. I'm sure there's a percentage in everything I do."

Robinson started out as a music teacher. Music is important to him, and he still has a band.

"The Nasty Delicious, if you eat something so good, you make a face. Like it's nice. You know, that's exactly what it is, because when we get to cooking and playing, ah," Robinson said.

He loves to come back to Chicago.

"Chicago, thank you for making me who I am. So, I appreciate it. And thank you for keeping me lifted up, this song. And I hope you check out the movie," Robinson said.

"In Your Dreams" is now streaming on Netflix.

Robinson believes the Chicago weather prepared him for the difficulties of show business. He says if you can survive the winter, you can get through anything.