Tommy Ford landed his first television role on A Different World soon after graduating from the University of Southern California. Since then he has appeared in multiple films, including Harlem Knights, Mr. Jones, The Butchers Wife and Class Act. In addition to his role as Tommy Strawn on Martin, Ford probably is also known for his role as Lt. Malcolm Barker on New York Undercover and as The Pope of Comedy on the TV One comedy series Bill Bellamy's Who's Got Jokes.
Carl Anthony Payne, who began acting professionally at age 10 with the First All-Children's Theater in New York, has appeared in more than 35 commercials, and in several television shows including a recurring role as "Cockroach" on The Cosby Show. Payne also had a small regular role as the third Hull Street rapper on the short-lived NBC comedy-musical series, Hull High.
Born June 28, 1971 and raised in Queens, N.Y., Tichina Arnold landed her first acting role in the play, The Me Nobody Knows, at the Billie Holiday Theater in Brooklyn. She also appeared in television movies such as The Brass Ring and PBS' House of Dries Dear. At age 16, Arnold landed her first feature film role as Crystal in Little Shop of Horrors alongside her childhood friend Tisha Campbell. Arnold also appeared on All My Children and Ryan's Hope, for which she received an Emmy nod for her role as Zena. Arnold won an NAACP Image Award for her role as Pam on Martin. An actress as well as a business woman, Arnold also has her own accessory line, China Moon Rags, and a clothing line, Black Hollywood, that features the likenesses of prominent African-American entertainers. She has one daughter.
Tisha Campbell began singing at age 3 and acting at age 7 when she starred in Unicorn Tales and made appearances on the children's television shows Big Blue Marble and Wonderama. Campbell's first film role came at age 16 when she was cast as Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors. Her other film credits include School Daze and Boomerang. She also worked with Martin Lawrence on the films, House Party and House Party II. Campbell won an NAACP Image Award and a BET Comedy Award for her starring role in the television series, My Wife and Kids. Campbell's other television credits include appearing as a regular in the series Rags to Riches and as a guest star on A Different World, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Blossom and Roc. Her music credits include a self-titled CD released in 1992.
Star of Martin, Martin Lawrence, got his start on an appearance on Star Search -- which led to his first regular television role as the smart-mouthed busboy on What's Happening Now! Later, Lawrence had his own cable show, One Night Stand, which paved the way for a two-year run as host of Def Comedy Jam. Lawrence made his movie debut in Do the Right Thing and followed that up with roles in House Party and Boomerang. Lawrence's resume also includes writing, directing and executive producing the film, A Thin Line Between Love and Hate.
Detroit radio personality Martin Payne (Martin Lawrence) tries to juggle a job he loves, the girl he loves and whole cast of characters - from his wacky neighbor Shenehneh to "Brotha Man" from the fifth floor - in the hit 90s sitcom, Martin.