Trivia

His teachers used to give him the last few minutes of class to make his classmates laugh.

Was once engaged to Saved by the Bell (1989) actress Lark Voorhies.

Claims he got his start as a comedian by cheering up his mother, who was forced to support her six children by cashiering in various department stores.

Was banned from appearing on NBC after he hosted Saturday Night Live (1975) on 19 February 1994. In order to appease network censors, he agreed not to do his opening monologue as planned. However, he did his routine as intended anyway, and this incurred the wrath of the network's top brass. The ban was overturned several years later. However, Lawrence is still not allowed to appear on SNL.

His mother took his first name from slain civil rights activist Martin Luther King and his middle name from the slain President John F. Kennedy (John Fitzgerald Kennedy).

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 6617 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on April 20, 2023. Fellow actors Steve Harvey and Lynn Whitfield were guest speakers at the ceremony.

His mother was in her mid-40s when she gave birth to him.

Lapsed into a coma after collapsing from heat exhaustion while jogging. Recovered in hospital. (August 25, 1999)

Agents discovered him on Star Search (1983).

Was a Mid-Atlantic Golden Gloves boxing contender in his teens.

Has one daughter with his ex-wife Pat Smith: Jasmin Lawrence (Jasmine Page Lawrence; born January 15, 1996). Has two daughters with his ex-wife Shamicka Gibbs: Iyanna Faith Lawrence (born November 9, 2000) and Amara Trinity Lawrence (born August 20, 2002).

Arrested at Burbank Airport for carrying a loaded gun in his suitcase. (August 1996)

In 1996, Lawrence was arrested at Burbank Airport for trying to board a plane while carrying a loaded 9mm Beretta. He claimed he didn't know guns were not allowed on interstate flights. He wasn't charged in relation to the chase.

Is from the same Metro Area as Sandra Bullock, Dave Chappelle, Mya, Alan Heitz, Regina Hall, Dwayne Winstead, Lewis Black, Lauren Graham and Ihuoma Ofordire.

His ex-wife, Pat Smith, is married to retired pro football star Emmitt Smith.

His sister, Rae Proctor, is his personal assistant.

For several years, he owned a large mansion in the Beverly Park community in Beverly Hills, California. In 2013, he eventually sold the property for $17.2 million to real estate developer Bruce Makowski, buying an Encino, Los Angeles property for $6.63 million. He also owns a farm near Purcellville, Virginia.

In May 1996, he was taken to Sherman Oaks Hospital and Health Center and later released to his personal physician, Dr. William Young of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He was wandering in the middle of a busy L.A. intersection on Ventura Boulevard cursing and screaming at oncoming cars while also carrying a loaded handgun in his pocket. His publicist released a statement regarding the incident in which it was stated that Lawrence suffered from "a case of complete exhaustion and dehydration".

Brother of Rae Proctor, Ursula Lawrence and Robert Lawrence.

Is the second youngest of six children of John Lawrence and Chlora Lawrence.

In October 1997, Lawrence's soon-to-be-ex-wife, Pat Smith, won a restraining order against him. She told a judge that among other things, Lawrence threatened to kill her and her family.

Attended and graduated from Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, Maryland.

His ex-wife, Pat Smith, was once Miss Virginia.

Before succeeding in Hollywood, Martin Lawrence performed with a theatre music group. Lawrence's rarely showcased singing talent can be heard near the end of the "Martin" (1992) episode "Woman with a Past".

Arrested outside a Hollywood nightclub after police called by a man claiming Lawrence had punched him. (March 28, 1997)

He used to box.

He was born in Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany, to American parents Chlora (Bailey) and John Lawrence in the United States military at the time of his birth. He was raised in the United States, including Queens, New York City and Landover, Maryland.

Was a telephone executive.

Ordered to perform community service after incident in March. (September 17, 1997)

Friends with Della Reese, Robin Harris, Thomas Mikal Ford and Steve Harvey.

Born on the exact same date as Jon Cryer.

Arnetia Walker played the role of Martin's mother in the movie College Road Trip (2008).