5 Shocking New Projects & The Emotional 2024 Reunion: Where The Martin Show Cast Is Now

The iconic cast of the 90s sitcom Martin continues to dominate the entertainment landscape, proving that "Wazzup!" is still a relevant greeting decades later. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the stars of the Fox television classic have delivered massive box office hits, launched new stand-up careers, and even inspired a brand-new spinoff series, keeping the legacy of the beloved Black television comedy alive and well.

From the highly anticipated Bad Boys sequel starring Martin Lawrence to the surprising return of a fan-favorite character in a new BET+ series, this article breaks down the latest career moves, personal updates, and touching reunions from the cast who brought Martin Payne, Gina Waters-Payne, Pamela James, Cole Brown, and Tommy Strawn to life.

The Core Cast: Complete Biography & Profile

The success of Martin, which ran from 1992 to 1997, was built on the undeniable chemistry of its five main stars. Here is a detailed look at the core cast's profile and their most significant roles outside of the iconic sitcom.

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• Martin Lawrence (Martin Payne):
  • Born: April 16, 1965 (Frankfurt, West Germany)
  • Role on Martin: Martin Payne (and multiple characters like Sheneneh Jenkins, Edna Payne, Jerome, Otis, and Bob)
  • Key Career Highlights: *Bad Boys* film series, *Blue Streak*, *Big Momma's House* film series, *Def Comedy Jam*.
  • Current Status: Actor, Comedian, Producer.
• Tisha Campbell (Gina Waters-Payne):
  • Born: October 13, 1968 (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
  • Role on Martin: Gina Waters-Payne
  • Key Career Highlights: *House Party* film series, *My Wife and Kids*, *Everybody Hates Chris*, *School Daze*.
  • Current Status: Actress, Singer, Stand-Up Comedian.
• Tichina Arnold (Pamela "Pam" James):
  • Born: June 28, 1969 (Queens, New York)
  • Role on Martin: Pamela "Pam" James
  • Key Career Highlights: *Everybody Hates Chris* (as Rochelle), *Little Shop of Horrors*, *Happily Divorced*, *The Neighborhood*.
  • Current Status: Actress, Singer, Philanthropist.
• Carl Anthony Payne II (Cole Brown):
  • Born: May 24, 1969 (Trenton, New Jersey)
  • Role on Martin: Cole Brown
  • Key Career Highlights: *The Cosby Show* (as Cockroach), *Rocko's Modern Life* (voice), *For Richer or Poorer*.
  • Current Status: Actor, Director, Producer, Comedian.
• Thomas Mikal Ford (Thomas "Tommy" Strawn):
  • Born: September 5, 1964 (Yonkers, New York)
  • Role on Martin: Thomas "Tommy" Strawn
  • Key Career Highlights: *New York Undercover*, *The Parkers*, *Class Act*.
  • Current Status: Deceased (October 12, 2016). His legacy is honored by the cast.

The 2024 Emmy Reunion and The Touching Tribute to Tommy

While the cast officially reunited for the Martin: The Reunion 30th Anniversary Special on BET+ in 2022, the most recent and public gathering that captivated fans happened in early 2024.

Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, Tichina Arnold, and Carl Anthony Payne II came together for a special segment at the 2024 Emmy Awards. Their appearance on the massive stage served as a powerful reminder of the show's enduring cultural impact and their shared history.

This reunion was particularly significant as it highlighted the unbreakable bond between the four surviving main cast members. The absence of Thomas Mikal Ford, who played the beloved Tommy Strawn and passed away in 2016, is always felt deeply by both the cast and the fans.

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During their 2022 reunion, the cast dedicated a moving segment to Ford, sharing favorite memories and paying tribute to his life and legacy. His character, Tommy, remains one of the most quotable and mysterious figures in sitcom history, with the running gag about his job status still a popular topic among fans today.

The Cast's Newest & Hottest Projects (2024–2025)

Decades after the series finale, the Martin cast is busier than ever, moving beyond their iconic roles with major film, television, and stand-up projects that are set to dominate 2024 and 2025.

1. Martin Lawrence: Box Office King & Stand-Up Return

Martin Lawrence is arguably having one of his biggest career years. His highly anticipated film, *Bad Boys: Ride or Die*, co-starring Will Smith, was a major box office draw, cementing his status as a global action-comedy star.

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Beyond the silver screen, Lawrence is returning to his roots with the "Y'all Know What It Is!" stand-up tour, which spans from late 2024 through April 2025. This national arena tour demonstrates his continued connection with his audience, who first fell in love with his comedic genius on *Def Comedy Jam* and, of course, *Martin*. Furthermore, he has teased a potential new project in the works with fellow comedy legend Eddie Murphy.

2. Tisha Campbell: From Gina to Stand-Up Comedian

Tisha Campbell, known for her role as the sophisticated and quick-witted Gina Waters-Payne, has surprised fans by stepping onto a new kind of stage: stand-up comedy.

She has launched her own stand-up tour, aptly titled "Damn Gina," a direct and affectionate nod to her most famous catchphrase from the show. In addition to her comedy tour, Campbell is set to star in an upcoming ALLBLK film project scheduled to premiere in 2025, proving her versatility as an actress and comedian.

3. Tichina Arnold: TV Veteran & Music Ambitions

Tichina Arnold, who perfected the art of the witty insult as Pamela James, remains a fixture on primetime television. She continues her successful run as the matriarch "Tina Butler" on the popular CBS sitcom *The Neighborhood*, which has been picked up for new seasons.

Arnold also appeared on *The Jennifer Hudson Show* in March 2024, discussing her career and her ongoing work. She has also mentioned her plans to drop a new album for her fans, showcasing her talent as a singer—a skill she rarely got to display on *Martin* outside of a few memorable episodes.

4. Carl Anthony Payne II: Indie Film & Stage Return

Cole Brown himself, Carl Anthony Payne II, has been busy in the independent film scene and is focusing on directing and producing.

Payne starred in the indie film *The Grove*, which was in production in Atlanta and set to debut at the Dreamscape International Film Festival in September 2024. He has also been active in theater, circling back to the stage in productions like *Games Women Play*, and has a stand-up special of his own on the horizon.

The Shocking Spinoff: 'Varnell Hill' is Coming to BET+

Perhaps the most exciting and unexpected news for fans of the *Martin* universe is the confirmation of a new spinoff series.

BET+ has ordered a series titled *Varnell Hill* straight to series, starring comedian Tommy Davidson. Davidson will reprise his role as the titular late-night talk show host, a character who only appeared in a two-part episode during Season 2 of the original *Martin* series.

The new show will follow Varnell Hill, a stand-up comic turned successful talk show host, a character whose success once eclipsed Martin Payne's career on the show. Crucially, Martin Lawrence is on board as an executive producer, giving the new project the official stamp of approval from the original creator. This development confirms that the *Martin* legacy is not just nostalgia, but a continuing, evolving universe in Black television comedy.