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Martin Lawrence

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For other people named Martin Lawrence, seeMartin Lawrence (disambiguation).

Martin Lawrence
Lawrence in 2013
Birth nameMartin Fitzgerald Lawrence
Born(1965-04-16)April 16, 1965(age 59)
Frankfurt,Hesse,West Germany(now Germany)
NationalityAmerican
Years active1987–present
Genres
Subject(s)
Spouse
​
​
(m.1995;div.1997)​
Shamicka Gibbs
​
​
(m.2010;div.2012)​
Children3
Notable works and roles

Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence[1](born April 16, 1965) is an American actor and comedian. He came to fame during the 1990s, establishing a Hollywood career as a leading actor. He got his start playing Maurice Warfield inWhat's Happening Now!!(1987–1988), and is known for his lead performance in theFoxtelevision sitcomMartin,as well as theBad Boysfilm franchise. His other films includeHouse Party,Boomerang,Life,Blue Streak,Big Momma's House,Open Season,andWild Hogs.

Early life

The fourth of six children, Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence was born on April 16, 1965, inFrankfurt,West Germany.His father, John Lawrence, was serving in the U.S. military at the time of his birth.[1]Lawrence's first and middle names were aftercivil rights leaderMartin Luther King Jr.and U.S. PresidentJohn F. Kennedy,respectively.[1]When Lawrence was seven, his father left the military, and the family moved from West Germany back to the United States, settling in the Washington D.C. area in the town ofLandover, Maryland.Lawrence's mother had moved herself and her six children into the troubled King Square housing projects where he would attend Dodge Park Elementary.[1]Following his parents' divorce when he was eight years old, Lawrence rarely saw his father, who was a police officer, serving as the Police Chief for the Franklin D. Roosevelt VA Medical Center in Montrose, New York.[2]His mother, Chlora (née Bailey), worked several jobs, including as a sales representative and cashier at various department stores, to support her family.[3][4] Small for his size growing up in the projects, Lawrence often engaged in street fights with other kids. He stated that it was his mother and older brothers who kept him out of jail where most of his childhood friends ended up. During his teen years, Lawrence excelled atboxing.[1]While living inFort Washington, Maryland,Lawrence attendedEleanor Roosevelt High School[1]andFriendly High School,and became a Mid-AtlanticGolden Glovesboxing contender.[5]

Career

In his early days, Lawrence did comedy shows in the Washington, D.C., area and supported himself through odd jobs. Comedian Ritch Snyder saw his act and suggested Lawrence make connections in New York.[6]Lawrence ended up moving to New York City and found his way to the comedy clubThe Improv.Shortly after appearing at The Improv, Lawrence won a performance spot onStar Search.[1]He did well on the show and made it to the final round, but did not win. However, executives atColumbia Pictures Televisionsaw Martin's performance and offered him the role of Maurice Warfield inWhat's Happening Now!!;this was his first acting job.[1]Upon cancellation of that show, Lawrence found bit parts in various films and television series. His breakthrough role was as Cee inDo the Right Thing.Other film roles followed, such asHouse Party,House Party 2,Talkin' Dirty After Dark,and theEddie MurphyvehicleBoomerang.During this period, entertainment mogulRussell Simmonsselected him to host the groundbreaking seriesDef Comedy JamonHBO.Def Comedy Jamgave many comedians (includingChris Tucker,Dave Chappelle,Mike Epps,Eddie Griffin,Bernie MacandCedric the Entertainer) mainstream exposure.

During his stint withDef Comedy Jam,Lawrence appeared in his own hit series,Martin,which aired onFox.[1]The show ran from 1992 to 1997 and was an enormous success.Martinwas the flagship of Fox's Thursday night line-up, which drew millions of viewers away fromNBC's "Must See TV"line-up. He hostedSaturday Night Liveon February 19, 1994, where he made crude remarks about women's genitalia and personal hygiene; the offensive portion of the monologue was edited out of NBC reruns andsyndicatedversions and Lawrence was banned from NBC for a period of time until he received an apology from the President of NBC at the time Warren Littlefield.[7]Martin's ratings continued to skyrocket so much that Fox became more of a contender against NBC and came closer to being considered among the top television networks. In 1995 he acted alongsideWill SmithinBad Boyswith wide success.

AfterMartinended its run in 1997, Lawrence found work in comedy films. He often starred as the second lead opposite actors includingEddie Murphy,Danny DeVito,andTim Robbins.[1]Many of his films were blockbusters at the box office, includingNothing to Lose,Life,Blue Streak,Big Momma's House,andBad Boys II.He also starred in critical and box office failures, includingBlack KnightandNational Security.Regardless, his salary steadily increased to over $10 million per film role. He continued to work in film, with such films asBig Momma's House 2,which opened at No. 1 at North American box office and grossed almost $28 million its first weekend,[8]andWild Hogs(2007), in which he played a bored suburbanite seeking adventure on the open road in a biker comedy alongsideJohn Travolta,Tim AllenandWilliam H. Macy.

In 2006, Lawrence appeared onInside the Actors Studio,during which Lawrence briefly brought back to life some of the characters he had portrayed onMartin.He also appeared inOpen Seasonas the voice of Boog, one of the main characters of the film, which also starredAshton Kutcher,Debra Messing,andGary Sinise.

In 2008, Lawrence starred in his first G-rated film,Walt Disney Pictures'College Road Trip,in which he co-starred withRaven-Symoné.

In 2011, Lawrence reprised his role as FBI agent Malcolm Turner inBig Mommas: Like Father, Like Son,the third film in theBig Mommaseries.[9]

In January 2013, it was announced that Lawrence andKelsey Grammerwere considering pairing up to star in a comedy forLionsgate Television.Partners,paired the two actors as Chicago lawyers from "vastly different backgrounds who unexpectedly meet in court on the worst day of their lives." The show premiered on August 4, 2014, but was cancelled after one season after receiving poor reviews.[10]

In 2020, Lawrence reprised his role as Detective Marcus Burnett in the third installment of theBad Boysfranchise,Bad Boys for Life,again alongsideWill Smith.The film was considered a financial success, grossing $112 million in its first four days of release.[11]

Lawrence starred in his first dramatic role in 2022'sMindcagealongsideMelissa RoxburghandJohn Malkovich.

On April 20, 2023, Lawrence earned a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame.[12]

Personal life

Relationships and family

Lawrence was engaged to actressLark Voorhiesin 1993. He marriedMiss Virginia USA,Patricia Southall,in 1995. Lawrence and Southall have a daughter, Jasmine Page (born January 15, 1996). They divorced in 1997, and Lawrence began a relationship with Shamicka Gibbs. The couple married on July 10, 2010, at Lawrence'sBeverly Hillshome. ActorsEddie MurphyandDenzel Washingtonwere among the 120 wedding guests;[13]Lawrence and Gibbs have two daughters, Iyanna Faith (born November 9, 2000) and Amara Trinity (born August 20, 2002).[14]On April 25, 2012, Lawrence filed for divorce from Gibbs, citing irreconcilable differences and asking for joint legal and physical custody of the children.[15]

Lawrence owns a farm nearPurcellville,Virginia.[16][17]For several years, he owned a large mansion in theBeverly Parkcommunity in Beverly Hills, where he wedded Gibbs. However, following their divorce, the property was available for lease at $200,000 per month in June 2012.[18]In 2013, the property was up for sale for $26.5 million, and eventually he sold it for $17.2 million toBruce Makowsky,buying anEncino, Los Angelesproperty for $6.63 million.[19]

Arrests, lawsuits and health problems

In July 1995, while on the set filmingA Thin Line Between Love and Hate,Lawrence lashed out in a violent rage and was then hospitalized atCedars-Sinai Medical Center.[20]

On May 8, 1996, he became increasingly erratic and was arrested after he brandished apistolin the middle of an intersection onVentura Boulevardin Los Angeles, screaming, "They're trying to kill me!" He was again hospitalized, with his public-relations agent citing exhaustion and dehydration as the reasons for this episode.[1]On July 29, 1996, he tried to take a gun on a flight and received two yearsprobationand a fine.[21]

In January 1997, Lawrence'sMartinco-starTisha Campbell-Martinfiled a lawsuit against him, allegingsexual harassmentand abuse both on and off set.[22]By April 1997, Campbell had settled the lawsuit, and returned to appear in the last two episodes of the series.[23]

In March 1997, Lawrence was arrested after punching a man in a Hollywood nightclub.[1]

During August 1999, Lawrence slipped into a three-day coma after collapsing from heat exhaustion while jogging in 100 °F (38 °C) heat in preparation forBig Momma's Housewhile wearing heavy clothing and a "plastic suit".[1][24]He recovered in the hospital after entering a near fatal coma due to a body temperature of 107 °F (42 °C), his breathing assisted by a ventilator.[25]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1989 Do the Right Thing Cee
1990 House Party Bilal
1991 Talkin' Dirty After Dark Terry Lumbar
House Party 2 Bilal
1992 Boomerang Tyler Hawkins
1994 You So Crazy Martin Stand-up film
Executive producer and writer
1995 Bad Boys Detective Marcus Burnett Nominated -MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo(withWill Smith)
Nominated -MTV Movie Award for Best Action Sequence
1996 A Thin Line Between Love and Hate Darnell Wright Also director
Narrator, executive producer, writer and music supervisor
1997 Nothing to Lose Terrence "T-Paul" Paul Davidson
1999 Life Claude Banks Nominated -Blockbuster Entertainment Awards for Favorite Comedy Team(withEddie Murphy)
Nominated -NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Motion Picture
Blue Streak Miles Logan/Detective Malone
2000 Big Momma's House Malcolm Turner/Big Momma Also executive producer
Nominated -Blockbuster Entertainment Awardsfor Favorite Actor - Comedy
Nominated -Teen Choice Awardfor Choice Movie Wipeout
Nominated -MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance
Nominated -Kids' Choice Awardsfor Favorite Movie Actor
2001 What's the Worst That Could Happen? Kevin Caffrey Also executive producer
Black Knight Jamal Walker/Skywalker Also executive producer
2002 Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat Martin Stand-up film
Also executive producer and writer
2003 National Security Earl Montgomery Also executive producer
Bad Boys II Detective Marcus Burnett Nominated -MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo(shared withWill Smith)
2005 Rebound Coach Roy McCormick/
Preachor Don 		Also executive producer
2006 Big Momma's House 2 Malcolm Turner/Big Momma Also executive producer
Open Season Boog Voice only
2007 Wild Hogs Bobby Davis
2008 Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins RJ Stevens/Roscoe Jenkins Jr.
College Road Trip Chief James Porter
Tropic Thunder The Dude Cameo
2010 Death at a Funeral Ryan Barnes
2011 Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son Malcolm Turner/Big Momma
2016 Martin Lawrence: Doin' Time Martin Stand-up film
Also writer
2019 The Beach Bum Captain Wack
2020 Bad Boys for Life Detective Marcus Burnett
2022 Mindcage Jake Doyle
2024 Bad Boys: Ride or Die Detective Marcus Burnett Also executive producer

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1987–1988 What's Happening Now!! Maurice Warfield 22 episodes
1989 A Little Bit Strange Sydney Masterson Unsold pilot
1990 Kid 'n Play Wiz, Hurbie Voice
1990 Hammer, Slammer, & Slade Willie Television film
1991 Private Times Mike Unaired pilot
1992–1993 Def Comedy Jam Himself (host)
1992–1997 Martin Martin Payne and other various characters 132 episodes
1994 Saturday Night Live Himself (host) Episode: "Martin Lawrence/Crash Test Dummies"
2010–2011 Love That Girl! Executive producer
2012 Untitled Martin Lawrence / CBS Sitcom Ray Barker Unsold pilot
2014 The Soul Man Crazy Rudy Episode: "All the Way Live"
2014 Partners Marcus Jackson 10 episodes

Discography

Years Album Chart positions
US US Hip-Hop
1993 Martin Lawrence Live Talkin' Shit 76 10
1995 Funk It – 35

Awards and nominations

  • Blockbuster Entertainment Award
    • nominated withEddie Murphyfor Favorite Comedy Team (2000) for the filmLife
    • nominated for Favorite Actor (2001) for the filmBig Momma's House
  • NAACP Image Award
    • wonOutstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (1995) for the seriesMartin
    • wonOutstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (1996) for the seriesMartin
    • nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (1997) for the seriesMartin
  • Kids' Choice Award
    • nominated for Favorite Television Actor (1995) for the seriesMartin
    • nominated for Favorite Television Actor (1996) for the seriesMartin
    • nominated for Favorite Movie Actor (2001) for the filmBig Momma's House
  • MTV Movie Award
    • nominated with Will Smith for Best On-Screen Duo (1996) for the filmBad Boys
    • nominated for the filmBig Momma's House
    • nominated withWill Smithfor Best On-Screen Team (2003) for the filmBad Boys II
  • ShoWest– Male Star of Tomorrow (1995)
  • Teen Choice Award– nominated for Wipeout Scene of the Summer (2000) for the filmBig Momma's House
  • BET Comedy Award –wonIcon Comedy Award (2005)

References

  1. ^abcdefghijklmStated in interview onInside the Actors Studio
  2. ^"Martin Lawrence Biography – Yahoo! Movies".Yahoo! Movies.RetrievedMarch 26,2007.
  3. ^"Martin Lawrence – Profile, Latest News and Related Articles".E! Online. Archived fromthe originalon September 27, 2007.RetrievedMarch 26,2007.
  4. ^"Chlora Lawrence-Crandell"ArchivedApril 26, 2012, at theWayback Machine.The Transylvania Times.
  5. ^Duffy, Mike (August 26, 1992)."Comic parlays stand-up act into sitcom".The Tampa Tribune.p. 4 – via NewsBank.
  6. ^Creamer, M. (1999). "Lawrence, Martin".Current Biography.60(10): 32–35.
  7. ^Will Smith & Martin Lawrence Talk 'Bad Boys' Trilogy, Growth, Regrets + More,archivedfrom the original on December 12, 2021,retrievedOctober 26,2021
  8. ^"Yahoo! Movies – Weekend Box Office and Buzz".Yahoo! Movies.RetrievedMarch 26,2007.
  9. ^Heritage, Stuart (November 10, 2010)."Big Momma's House 3: once, twice, three times a fake lady".The Guardian.
  10. ^"Martin Lawrence & Kelsey Grammer In 'Partners': Critics Slam New Series".Hollywood Life.August 5, 2014.RetrievedApril 25,2019.
  11. ^"Everything We Know (So Far) About Bad Boys For Life".ScreenRant.June 14, 2019.RetrievedAugust 24,2019.
  12. ^"Martin Lawrence receives star on Hollywood Walk of Fame".NBC News.April 21, 2023.RetrievedJune 17,2023.
  13. ^Wihlborg, Ulrica (July 10, 2010)."Martin Lawrence Ties the Knot".People.RetrievedJuly 10,2010.
  14. ^"Martin Lawrence Files for Divorce".TMZ.April 30, 2012.RetrievedMay 1,2012.
  15. ^Laudidio, Marisa (April 24, 2012)."Martin Lawrence and Wife are Divorcing".People.
  16. ^The Reliable Source (August 7, 2009)."Hey, Isn't That...?".The Washington Post.
  17. ^"Geese Give Martin Lawrence a Goose".TMZ.July 31, 2008.
  18. ^David, Mark (June 15, 2012)."Martin Lawrence To Let Bev Hills Mansion".Variety.com.RetrievedApril 16,2019.
  19. ^David, Mark (June 20, 2013)."Martin Lawrence Downsizes in Encino".Variety.com.RetrievedApril 16,2019.
  20. ^Lang, Steven (May 12, 1997)."Disorderly Conduct".People.RetrievedNovember 26,2011.
  21. ^"5 Famous Gun-Toting Celebs in the '90s".Entertainment Weekly.No. 540. Spring 2000. p. 90.
  22. ^"Tisha Campbell Files Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Martin Lawrence".Jet.Chicago, Illinois. January 27, 1997.RetrievedMarch 15,2018– via Google Books.
  23. ^"Martin Lawternce Ends Sitcom, 'Martin', In Fifth Season".Jet.Chicago, Illinois. April 28, 1997.RetrievedMarch 15,2018– via Google Books.
  24. ^Martin Lawrence on Conan,retrievedJuly 16,2015
  25. ^Metcalfe, Coll (August 26, 1999)."Actor Martin Lawrence Comes Out of Coma".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedJuly 3,2015.
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