Martin Lawrence facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Martin Lawrence
Lawrence in 2013
Birth name	Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence
Born	(1965-04-16) April 16, 1965 (age 60) Frankfurt, Hesse, West Germany (now Germany)
Nationality	American
Years active	1987–present
Genres	Observational comedy physical comedy satire
Subject(s)	African-American culture racism race relations self-deprecation
Spouse	Patricia Southall ​ ​ (m. 1995; div. 1997)​ Shamicka Gibbs ​ ​ (m. 2010; div. 2012)​
Children	3
Notable works and roles	Martin Bad Boys franchise Big Momma's House franchise

Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence (born April 16, 1965) is a famous American actor and comedian. He became well-known in the 1990s and built a successful career in Hollywood as a main actor. He first appeared as Maurice Warfield in the TV show What's Happening Now!! (1987–1988). Martin Lawrence is best known for his lead role in the Fox TV sitcom Martin and for the Bad Boys movie series. Some of his other popular films include House Party, Boomerang, Life, Blue Streak, Big Momma's House, and Wild Hogs.

Martin Lawrence's Early Life

Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence was born on April 16, 1965, in Frankfurt, West Germany. He was the fourth of six children. His father, John Lawrence, was serving in the U.S. military when Martin was born. Martin's first name was chosen after civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.. His middle name was for U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

When Martin was seven, his family moved from West Germany back to the United States. They settled in Landover, Maryland, near Washington, D.C.. His parents divorced when he was eight years old. Martin's mother, Chlora, worked many jobs to support the family. She was a sales representative and a cashier.

Teenage Years and Boxing

As a teenager, Martin Lawrence was very good at boxing. While living in Maryland, he went to Eleanor Roosevelt High School and Friendly High School. He even became a top boxer in the Mid-Atlantic Golden Gloves competition.

Martin Lawrence's Career Journey

Martin Lawrence started his comedy career by performing in the Washington, D.C. area. He took on various odd jobs to support himself. Another comedian, Ritch Shydner, saw his act and told him to try his luck in New York. Martin moved to New York City and began performing at The Improv comedy club.

Soon after, he got a chance to perform on the TV show Star Search. He did very well and reached the final round, though he didn't win. However, TV executives from Columbia Pictures Television noticed him. They offered him his first acting role as Maurice Warfield in What's Happening Now!!.

Breaking into Movies and TV

After What's Happening Now!! ended, Martin Lawrence got small roles in different films and TV shows. His first big movie role was as Cee in Do the Right Thing. More film roles followed, including House Party, House Party 2, and Boomerang.

During this time, entertainment boss Russell Simmons chose him to host the important show Def Comedy Jam on HBO. This show helped many comedians become famous, like Chris Tucker, Dave Chappelle, and Bernie Mac.

Starring in Martin and Bad Boys

While hosting Def Comedy Jam, Martin Lawrence also starred in his own hit TV series, Martin. The show aired on Fox from 1992 to 1997 and was a huge success. Martin was a very popular show on Fox's Thursday night lineup.

In 1995, he starred with Will Smith in the movie Bad Boys. This film was also a big hit.

Later Film Roles

After Martin finished in 1997, Lawrence continued to work in comedy films. He often played the second main character alongside actors like Eddie Murphy and Danny DeVito. Many of his movies earned a lot of money at the box office. These included Nothing to Lose, Life, Blue Streak, Big Momma's House, and Bad Boys II.

His salary for each film role steadily grew to over $10 million. He continued to make movies like Big Momma's House 2 (2006), which was the number one movie its opening weekend. He also starred in Wild Hogs (2007) with John Travolta, Tim Allen, and William H. Macy. In Wild Hogs, he played a suburban dad looking for adventure.

In 2006, Lawrence voiced Boog, a main character in the animated film Open Season. In 2008, he starred in his first G-rated movie, College Road Trip, with Raven-Symoné.

In 2011, he played FBI agent Malcolm Turner again in Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son. This was the third movie in the Big Momma series.

In 2020, Lawrence returned as Detective Marcus Burnett in Bad Boys for Life, the third Bad Boys film. He starred alongside Will Smith once more. The movie was a big financial success.

In 2022, Lawrence took on his first serious acting role in the movie Mindcage. On April 20, 2023, Martin Lawrence received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Martin Lawrence's Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Martin Lawrence was engaged to actress Lark Voorhies in 1993. He married Miss Virginia USA, Patricia Southall, in 1995. They had a daughter named Jasmine Page. They divorced in 1997.

Later, Lawrence started a relationship with Shamicka Gibbs. They got married on July 10, 2010. They have two daughters, Iyanna Faith and Amara Trinity. In April 2012, Lawrence filed for divorce from Gibbs.

Homes and Properties

Martin Lawrence owns a farm near Purcellville, Virginia. For several years, he owned a large mansion in Beverly Hills, California. After his divorce, he sold the property and bought a new home in Encino, Los Angeles.

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Roles

Discography

Awards and Nominations

Martin Lawrence has received many awards and nominations for his work:

• Blockbuster Entertainment Award
  • Nominated with Eddie Murphy for Favorite Comedy Team (2000) for Life
  • Nominated for Favorite Actor (2001) for Big Momma's House
• NAACP Image Award
  • Won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (1995) for Martin
  • Won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (1996) for Martin
  • Nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (1997) for Martin
• Kids' Choice Award
  • Nominated for Favorite Television Actor (1995) for Martin
  • Nominated for Favorite Television Actor (1996) for Martin
  • Nominated for Favorite Movie Actor (2001) for Big Momma's House
• MTV Movie Award
  • Nominated with Will Smith for Best On-Screen Duo (1996) for Bad Boys
  • Nominated for Big Momma's House
  • Nominated with Will Smith for Best On-Screen Team (2003) for Bad Boys II
• ShoWest – Male Star of Tomorrow (1995)
• Teen Choice Award – Nominated for Wipeout Scene of the Summer (2000) for Big Momma's House
• BET Comedy Award – Won Icon Comedy Award (2005)

See also

In Spanish: Martin Lawrence para niños