Martin Lawrence Biography

Fast Facts

• Received the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 1995 and 1996 for his work in "Martin․"
• Won an Icon Comedy Award in 2005 at the BET Comedy Awards
• Became a Golden Gloves boxing contender before winning the spot on "Star Search" that exposed him to agents and a wider audience than comedy clubs could provide
• His teachers used to let him crack jokes for his classmates during the last few minutes of class
• Made his screen acting debut as Maurice Warfield in the TV series "What's Happening Now!" in 1987
• Quote: "No one is immune to the trials and tribulations of life․ No one․ We all have ups and we all have downs․ That's just life․"
• Was banned from "Saturday Night Live" after making crude comments about female hygiene even though he was explicitly told by network censors to steer his routine away from the subject
• Has starred in many comedy films, including several blockbusters such as "Bad Boys" and the "Big Momma's House" franchise
• Often plays police officers and thieves, sometimes both during the course of one film
• Has stated that he used to cheer up his mother, who had to support six children by cashiering at department stores after her divorce, by making her laugh