Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence

He married Shamicka Gibbs in 2010 and they have two daughters. This marriage also lasted only two years and he divorced her citing irreconcilable differences.

He went into a coma for three days in August 1999 after collapsing from heat exhaustion while jogging.

Born in Frankfurt, Germany, Martin’s parents John and Chlora Lawrence named him after civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. and U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

He attended schools in Maryland including the Thomas G. Pullen School of Creative and Performing Arts at Landover, among others.

He moved to New York City and got an opportunity to perform at ‘The Improv’, the legendary comedy club. He earned himself a spot on ‘Star Search’, a television show and reached the final round.

His performance was noticed by the executives of ‘Columbia TriStar Television’ and he bagged his first role. He played ‘Maurice’ on their very successful television sitcom ‘What’s Happening Now’, in 1986.

In 1989, he played some roles in films and television series and was catapulted into the limelight for his role in the Spike Lee film, ‘Do the Right Thing’, and also the ‘House Party series’ and ‘Talkin' Dirty After Dark’.

He became a national star in 1992 when he appeared with Eddie Murphy in the comedy movie, ‘Boomerang’. This was a dream come true for Lawrence, as he had long admired the established star.

King of entertainment, Russell Simmons selected him to host the first- of- its- kind series, ‘Def Comedy Jam’ on HBO in the year 1993.

His films such as ‘Nothing to Lose’, ‘Life’, ‘Blue Streak’, and became huge commercial success, which made him immensely popular. The success helped him bag second lead roles opposite star actors including Eddie Murphy and Tim Robbins.

In 2011, he revived his role as FBI agent Malcolm Turner in ‘Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son’, the third film in the Big Momma's House series which collected $83,915,414 at the box-office.