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      Martin Lawrence

      Martin Lawrence

      Highest Rated: 94% House Party (1990)

      Lowest Rated: 5% Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son (2011)

      Birthday: Apr 16, 1965

      Birthplace: Frankfurt-am-Main, Hessen, Germany

      Born on April 16, 1965 in Frankfurt, Germany, Lawrence was raised by his parents. In 1973, his parents divorced, which forced his mother to work numerous odd jobs in order to support her six children. When he was a teenager, Lawrence was an amateur boxer and seriously considered going pro until he suffered an eye injury that prompted him to reconsider. After graduating, he began doing stand-up comedy on the Washington, D.C. circuit before moving briefly to New York City where he worked the crowds at Washington Square Park. He also worked at a Sears store in Queens, where he counted among his fellow employees, future stars Salt-N-Pepa and Kid 'N' Play. After moving back to Maryland, he incorporated his Manhattan experiences into his act and toned down his raunchy language for a shot on the once-popular "Star Search" (syndicated, 1983-1995). Though Lawrence only won once on the competition, a tape of his performance found its way to Columbia Pictures, where he was cast in the recurring role of Maurice, a smart-mouthed busboy during the last season of the spin-off "What's Happening Now!!" (syndicated, 1985-88). Moving on to make his feature debut, Lawrence had an hysterical bit as a determined pizza joint patron in Spike Lee's "Do The Right Thing" (1989) and also scored as the tone-deaf D.J. in the Hudlin brothers' sleeper hit, "House Party" (1990), which reunited him with old Sears coworkers Kid 'N' Play. After appearing in the sequel "House Party 2" (1991), he had a co-starring role as Eddie Murphy's over race-sensitive sidekick in "Boomerang" (1992), followed by his first appearance on the stand-up comedy series, "One-Night Stand" ( HBO , 1988-1993). Having attracted the attention of HBO executives like Chris Albrecht , the pay cable network developed his very own sitcom, "Martin" (Fox, 1992-97), which received a boost from Lawrence's stand-up special and a two-season hosting gig of the new series, "Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam" (HBO, 1992-2008). But it was the popular Fox sitcom that brought Lawrence to prominence. On the show, he played Martin Payne, a wise-cracking radio disc jockey who exudes a macho exterior on air, but displays his sensitive side while at home with his wife, Gina (Tisha Campbell-Martin). Lawrence also had a knack for playing a wide array of characters, many of which required prosthetics and which showed his particular penchant for performing in drag, including Sheneneh Jenkins, a flashy girl from the ghetto; Edna Payne, Martin's overprotective mother; Jerome, an aging pimp; and Bob, a white surfer-dude. "Martin" was embraced by audiences and became a significant hit. Lawrence's insightful edginess often raised his sitcom work above the level of stereotype, enough so that the NAACP honored "Martin" with its Image Award, while the series allowed him huge improvisational freedom. Following in the footsteps of Richard Pryor and Murphy, he branched into comedy albums with Talkin' Shit (1993) and concert films with You So Crazy (1994). He raised his profile further by co-starring with Will Smith in Michael Bay's feature directorial debut, "Bad Boys" (1995). He co-wrote, starred in, served as music supervisor for and executive produced "A Thin Line Between Love and Hate" (1996). After taking a break from Hollywood, Lawrence returned with two features, reuniting with Eddie Murphy to play a pair of convicts for "Life" (1999), and then playing a diamond thief pretending to be a cop in "Blue Streak" (1999). Following a health scare, he roared back to the forefront in the hit comedy "Big Momma's House" (2000), playing an FBI agent who dons a fat suit to impersonate a 300-pound woman in order to nab a violent bank robber (Terrence Howard). His follow-up project, "What's the Worst that Could Happen?" (2001) pitted him against Danny DeVito as a thief and billionaire, respectively, in a battle to see whose evilness would triumph. In 2002, Lawrence took his comedy stint to the big screen, resulting in "Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat." The following year, Lawrence joined Steve Zahn for the comedy feature "National Security" (2003), before reuniting with Will Smith and director Michael Bay for the uninspired retread sequel "Bad Boys II" (2003). Lawrence lightened his image with the broad, heartwarming comedy "Rebound" (2005), playing a basketball coach looking for a second chance with a middle school team of misfits after being banned from the college level for his bad temper. After voicing Boog, a 900-pound domesticated grizzly bear with no survival skills trying to survive the wild in "Open Season" (2006), Lawrence once again donned a fat suit for the inevitable sequel, "Big Momma's House 2" (2006). Lawrence went on to co-star in "Wild Hogs" (2007), a critically-panned, but hugely successful ensemble comedy about four down-and-out men (Lawrence, John Travolta ,Tim Allen and William H. Macy ) who go through respective mid-life crises by embarking on a freewheeling, cross-country motorcycle trip in order to prove their manhood. Despite bad reviews, "Wild Hogs" dominated the box office its opening weekend, eventually taking in over $250 million worldwide. Meanwhile, he returned to his stand-up roots to executive produce " Martin Lawrence Presents: 1st Amendment Standup " (Starz, 2005-10), an uncensored showcase of the day's best under-the-radar comedians. Back on the big screen, he starred in "Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins" (2008), and then teamed up with director Neil LaBute for the remake of the British black comedy, "Death at a Funeral" (2010). Since then, Lawrence has been in "Bad Boys for Life" (2020) and "Mindcage" (2022).

      Highest rated movies

      94% House Party 76% Bad Boys for Life 65% Bad Boys: Ride or Die 57% The Beach Bum 52% Life 48% Boomerang
      45% You So Crazy
      44% Bad Boys

      Photos

      Fargo, Martin Lawrence, 04/15/2014, ©FX BLUE STREAK, Martin Lawrence, Luke Wilson, William Forsythe, 1999, (c) Columbia BAD BOYS 2, Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, 2003, (c) Columbia BAD BOYS 2, Martin Lawrence, director Michael Bay, Will Smith on the set, 2003, (c) Columbia BLUE STREAK, Martin Lawrence, 1999, (c) Columbia BAD BOYS, Martin Lawrence, 1995 NATIONAL SECURITY, Martin Lawrence, 2003, (c) Columbia NATIONAL SECURITY, Martin Lawrence, 2003, (c) Columbia Raven Symone, Martin Lawrence, Donny Osmond, Molly Ephraim in "College Road Trip" BAD BOYS 2, Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, 2003, (c) Columbia COLLEGE ROAD TRIP, foreground: Raven Symone, Martin Lawrence, Donny Osmond, Molly Ephraim, 2008. ©Walt Disney Co. BAD BOYS 2, Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, 2003, (c) Columbia WELCOME HOME ROSCOE JENKINS, James Earl Jones (back to camera), left front to back: Margaret Avery, Martin Lawrence, Joy Bryant, Michael Clarke Duncan, right front to back: Mo'Nique, Cedric the Entertainer, 2008. ©Universal WILD HOGS, William H. Macy, Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence, John Travolta, 2007. ©Touchstone Pictures BIG MOMMA'S HOUSE 2, Martin Lawrwence, Chloe Moretz, Mark Moses, Kat Dennings, 2006. TM and Copyright 20th Century Fox Film Corp. All Rights Reserved. BAD BOYS, Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, 1995, (c)Columbia Pictures BIG MOMMA'S HOUSE, Martin Lawrence, Nia Long, 2000, TM & Copyright (c) 20th Century Fox Film Corp. All rights reserved. COLLEGE ROAD TRIP, Daniel Raymont, Martin Lawrence, 2008. ©Walt Disney Co. LIFE, Martin Lawrence and Eddy Murphy, 1999 BIG MOMMA'S HOUSE 2, Martin Lawrence, Mark Moses, 2006. TM and Copyright 20th Century Fox Film Corp. All Rights Reserved.

      Filmography

      Movies

      Credit
      65% 97% Bad Boys: Ride or Die Marcus Burnett (Character),
      Executive Producer
      $56.5M 2024
      18% 64% Mindcage Jake Doyle (Character),
      Executive Producer
      - 2022
      76% 96% Bad Boys for Life Marcus (Character) $204.3M 2020
      57% 42% The Beach Bum Captain Wack (Character) $3.5M 2019
      No Score Yet 53% Martin Lawrence: Doin' Time: Uncut Unknown (Character) - 2016
      5% 58% Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son Malcolm Turner/Big Momma (Character),
      Executive Producer
      $37.9M 2011
      43% 45% Death at a Funeral Ryan (Character) $42.7M 2010
      12% 50% College Road Trip Chief James Porter (Character) $45.6M 2008
      23% 63% Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins RJ (Character) $42.2M 2008
      14% 61% Wild Hogs Bobby Davis (Character) $168.2M 2007
      49% 57% Open Season Boog (Voice) - 2006
      5% 57% Big Momma's House 2 Malcolm Turner (Character),
      Executive Producer
      $70.2M 2006
      No Score Yet No Score Yet Boog & Elliot's Midnight Bun Run Boog (Voice) - 2006
      14% 38% Rebound Roy McCormick (Character),
      Executive Producer
      $16.8M 2005
      24% 78% Bad Boys II Marcus Burnett (Character) $138.4M 2003
      11% 45% National Security Earl Montgomery (Character),
      Executive Producer
      $35.8M 2003
      39% 68% Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat Self,
      Executive Producer
      $19.2M 2002
      15% 34% Black Knight Jamal Walker (Character),
      Executive Producer
      $33.4M 2001
      10% 35% What's the Worst That Could Happen? Kevin Caffery (Character),
      Executive Producer
      $32.3M 2001
      30% 57% Big Momma's House Malcolm (Character),
      Executive Producer
      $117.6M 2000
      36% 64% Blue Streak Miles Logan (Character) $68.2M 1999
      52% 77% Life Claude Banks (Character) $64.0M 1999
      31% 68% Nothing to Lose Terrance Paul Davidson (Character) $44.5M 1997
      15% 77% A Thin Line Between Love and Hate Narrator; Darnell "Deeny" Wright (Character),
      Director,
      Screenwriter
      $34.8M 1996
      44% 78% Bad Boys Detective Marcus Burnett (Character) $63.9M 1995
      45% 86% You So Crazy Unknown (Character),
      Screenwriter,
      Executive Producer
      $10.2M 1994
      48% 59% Boomerang Tyler (Character) $66.7M 1992
      No Score Yet 66% Talkin' Dirty After Dark Terry (Character) - 1991
      27% 65% House Party 2 Bilal (Character) $19.4M 1991
      94% 81% House Party Bilal (Character) $26.4M 1990

      TV

      Credit
      No Score Yet 62% The Kelly Clarkson Show Guest 2024
      No Score Yet 44% The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Guest 2014 2020 2022 2024
      No Score Yet 36% Jimmy Kimmel Live! Guest 2008 2010-2011 2014 2016 2018 2022
      No Score Yet No Score Yet The Ellen DeGeneres Show Guest 2019
      25% 50% Partners Marcus Jackson (Character),
      Executive Producer
      2014
      No Score Yet No Score Yet Conan Guest 2011 2014
      No Score Yet No Score Yet The Soul Man Rudy (Guest Star) 2014
      No Score Yet No Score Yet The Mo'Nique Show Unknown (Character) 2013
      No Score Yet No Score Yet Lopez Tonight Guest 2011
      No Score Yet No Score Yet The Daily Show Guest 2002
      No Score Yet 92% Martin Martin Payne (Character),
      Executive Producer
      1992-1997
      No Score Yet No Score Yet Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam Host 1992-1994
      No Score Yet 58% Saturday Night Live Host 1994
      No Score Yet No Score Yet Def Comedy Jam Host 1992
      No Score Yet No Score Yet One-Night Stand Unknown (Character) 1991