"Martin" cast of characters

From Harpo's Juke Joint

The main cast

Martin Payne (Martin Lawrence): Martin is a popular talk show host in Detroit, Mich., and the voice of WZUP ("Whaaazuuuup!?"). Martin is loud, pushy and egotistical, but has a good heart. He loves his girlfriend Gina dearly, is loyal to his friends Tommy and Cole, and even tolerates the bad attitude of Gina's best friend, Pam. Still, he won't hesitiate to throw all of them out of his house, telling them to "get ta steppin'!" Martin tends to display a Napoleon complex (also known as "short man syndrome"), constantly demanding respect (especially for his apartment), and getting into scraps that he doesn't always win. He's also rather insecure about his lack of college education and income, but he'll still be the first to tell you "I ain't no punk!"

Gina Waters (Tisha Campbell): Gina Waters (Tisha Campbell): Gina is a "modern businesswoman", according to Martin's mother, Edna. She works long hours, and 12-14 hour days aren't uncommon. Naturally, she cherishes the time she spends with Martin. The phrase "opposites attact" apply here, but Gina and her "Marty-Mar" share a close, loving relationship. Gina is tough and quick to speak her mind, but not too proud to admit when she's wrong. And in "Blackboard Jungle Fever", we learn that Gina will reach for the Vaseline and take off her earrings to fight for her man.

Pamela James (Tichina Arnold): Pam is Gina's best friend and Martin's worst enemy. Even when she's in Martin's home, she can't resist taking cracks at Gina's boyfriend, calling him names like "Arsenio Small" and "Inch-High Private Eye". She's been known to even take a swipe or two at Martin! Deep down, she respects Martin and appreciates the way she makes her friend so happy - but she'd never admit that out loud.

*Cole Brown (Carl Anthony Payne II): Cole has been Martin's friend since childhood. He's not much bigger than Martin, but he's only half as smart. In "Things I Did For Love", Cole reveals himself to be a bit of a Peeping Tom, so it's no surprise that a) he was a virgin until age 23 and b) he lives with his mother. Cole is a Barry Manilow fan, and his toenails have been registered as lethal weapons.

*Tommy Strong (Thomas Mikal Ford): Tommy is Martin's other best friend. (This becomes a problem when it's time for Martin to choose a best man.) Tommy is good-looking, tall, and the most level-headed and sensitive of the three. He's all male, however, and will gleefully declare if he "got the draws!" Tommy lives well, dresses well, and always has a fly honey on his arm. The problem? According to his friends, he ain't got no job!

Recurring cast

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The many faces of Martin

Following in the footsteps of Flip Wilson, Lawrence played many characters on his show, both male and female. Each had his or her seperate personalities and quirks, and nearly all of them wound up having a catchphrase.

• Mama Payne: Martin's overly-indulgent mother has a mean backhand, can back flip better than Dominique Dawes, and a mustache thicker than Grandma's turkey gravy. She freely expresses utter disdain for Gina, whom she refers to as "Applehead", and tends to stop by Martin's house and throw out Gina's lingerie, stating "Bikini underwear is for skeezers!"
  

First appearance:

• Sheneneh Jenkins: This weave technician and recipient of the Golden Weave Award is single and loves to mingle. Has it in for Pam. Went out on a date with Kid from the hip-hop duo Kid 'n Play. Sheneneh is very much a lady, and likes a brother that's down. But if he disrespects her, she'll beat him like he stole something. The prototype for this character is Flip Wilson's Geraldine Jones.

First appearance:

• Jerome: The orignal playa from the Himalayas. Jerome's got more girls than Jheri's got curls. Once got robbed of his "gol' toofus" by an all-woman stickup crew. Dated Pam from a brief spell, much to Cole's horror.

First appearance:

• Otis: Ol' Otis is a security guard whose uniform hasn't changed since 1974. He's blind as a bat and can't ever find his weapon, but Otis always gets his man, and he won't hesitate to beat down a young punk if he's being disrespected. Has a side fling with Miss Jerri.

First appearance:

• Roscoe: A snotty-nosed kid with unusually long arms, Roscoe is the poster child an old school butt whuppin'. He originally lived in Gina's apartment building. It turned out that Roscoe's father lived in Martin's building, and he moved there shortly after Martin and Gina married. Roscoe a crush on Gina...as long as she has on her makeup.

First appearance:

• Elroy: A car mechanic resembling a low-rent, black Elvis. He works for cheap, but you have to let the man sing his (only) song, Doncha Know No Good.

First appearance:

• Dragonfly Jones: A martial arts instructor who seems to have studied the art of punk-fu. Is often whipped by his loyal and obediant servant, Kenji. Got knocked out by Miss Jerri (along with Kenji) at a pool hall.

First appearance:

• Bob: Seen in the early episodes, Bob was a Caucasian co-worker of Gina's. The eternal tagalong, Bob is the life of the party - especially to the ones he's not invited to. He has a million get-rich-quick schemes, and all of them are bad. But for a white man in cowboy boots, he's a heck of a dancer.

First appearance:

• King Beef: Little is known about this B-list movie star, other than he's foreign, has excessive body hair, loves to dance, and pulls lots of chicks.

First appearance: