Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence was born on April 16, 1965, in Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany. He is an American actor, comedian, director and producer.

Lawrence on a career that has included comedy albums and several movies, including A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, which he also co-wrote and directed, and two big-budget buddy movies with Will Smith, Bad Boys (1995) and Bad Boys II (2003).

Lawrence's off-screen antics have frequently made headlines, including a 1996 incident where he was found shouting incoherently in the middle of a busy intersection, and a 1999 incident where he collapsed and fell into a coma; both were blamed on exhaustion.

He also starred in Big Momma's House (2000), Big Momma's House II (2006) and Wild Hogs (2007).

Martin Lawrence was once engaged to actress Lark Voorhies. Martin married Patricia Southall, a former Miss Virginia winner in January of 1995. They divorced in September 1997.

Filmography

• College Road Trip (2008)
• The Better Man (2008)
• Wild Hogs (2007)
• Open Season (2006)
• Big Momma's House 2 (2006)
• Rebound (2005)
• Bad Boys II (2003)
• National Security (2003)
• Black Knight (2001)
• What's the Worst That Could Happen? (2001)
• Big Momma's House (2000)
• Blue Streak (1999)
• Life (1999)
• Nothing to Lose (1997)
• "Martin" (57 episodes, 1992-1997)
• A Thin Line Between Love and Hate (1996)
• Bad Boys (1995)
• "Saturday Night Live" (1 episode, 1994)
• Boomerang (1992)
• House Party 2 (1991)
• Talkin' Dirty After Dark (1991)
• Private Times (1991)
• Hammer, Slammer, & Slade (1990)
• House Party (1990)
• Do the Right Thing (1989)
• A Little Bit Strange (1989)
• "What's Happening Now!" (1985)

Awards

• NAACP Image Award Best Lead Actor, Comedy Series "Martin" 1996