Martin Lawrence

Martin Lawrence is a celebrated comedian, actor, and filmmaker in the entertainment industry. His journey began in New York City, where he found his way to the legendary The Improv and earned a spot on "Star Search." His performance caught the attention of Columbia Pictures Television executives, who offered him his first acting role as Maurice in "What's Happening Now!!" This opportunity marked the beginning of his acting career, leading to bit parts in various films and television series. Lawrence’s breakthrough role came as Cee in Spike Lee’s "Do the Right Thing," followed by standout performances in the "House Party" series, "Talkin' Dirty After Dark," and "Boomerang" alongside Eddie Murphy. His success in comedy was further solidified when entertainment mogul Russell Simmons selected him to host HBO's groundbreaking series "Def Comedy Jam," where he helped launch the careers of many comedians, including Chris Tucker, Dave Chappelle, and Bernie Mac.

Lawrence's career reached new heights with his hit sitcom "Martin," which aired on Fox TV from 1992 to 1997. The show became an enormous success, making "Martin" the flagship of Fox’s Thursday-night lineup and drawing millions of viewers away from NBC’s "Must See TV." After the end of "Martin," Lawrence transitioned to film, often starring as the second lead in blockbuster comedies alongside actors like Eddie Murphy, Danny DeVito, and Tim Robbins. His films, such as "Nothing to Lose," "Life," "Blue Streak," and "Big Momma’s House," were major box-office successes, cementing his status as a comedy superstar.

In the 2000s and beyond, Lawrence continued to make his mark in Hollywood. He starred in successful sequels like "Big Momma’s House 2" and the hit comedy "Wild Hogs." He also appeared in family-friendly films like Disney’s "College Road Trip" and provided a voice in the animated feature "Open Season." In 2020, Lawrence reprised his iconic role as Marcus Burnett in "Bad Boys for Life," the third installment of the popular "Bad Boys" franchise, alongside Will Smith. The film was a massive success, both critically and at the box office, reaffirming Lawrence's status as a major draw in Hollywood.

Beyond his film work, Lawrence has returned to his roots in stand-up comedy with the "Lit AF Tour," a nationwide comedy tour that began in 2018 and continued into 2020.