Martin Lawrence was born on April 16, 1965. From a young age he always had a penchant for making people laugh. In fact, his teachers reportedly used to give him the last few minutes of class to perform stand up comedy. When he reached adulthood, he quickly rose to fame as a stand-up comedian, showcasing his comedic talents on Def Comedy Jam. Soon enough, his commanding presence and wacky persona transcended to the big screen.
In 1995, his breakout role came in the movie Bad Boys alongside Will Smith, propelling the both of them to massive heights of fame. The action-comedy film was a massive hit and solidified Lawrence’s status as a leading actor in Hollywood. In 2024, he is set to reprise his role as Marcus Burnett in the franchise’s fourth entry, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, further congealing the iconic status of the series and Lawrence’s status as a Hollywood titan. So, let’s dive into the other roles Martin Lawrence has delivered outside of the Bad Boys movies.
5. Blue Streak (1999)
Released in 1999, the action comedy Blue Streak starred Martin Lawrence in a role that perfectly showcased his comedic chops and flair for action-packed scenes. The film follows Lawrence’s character, a jewel thief named Miles Logan, who hides a diamond in a construction site and goes to retrieve it two years later, only to find out the site is now an LAPD headquarters. In a daring move, Logan disguises himself as a detective and infiltrates the precinct, leading to hilarious misunderstandings and chaotic situations. Blue Streak proved to be a perfect follow-up to the success of Bad Boys, further cementing Lawrence’s reputation as a leading actor in the world of action comedies in Hollywood. The film’s blend of eccentric humour and thrilling action sequences solidified Lawrence’s place in the genre, showcasing his versatility and talent as an actor and comedian.
4. Big Momma’s House (2000)
In the 2000 film Big Momma’s House, Martin Lawrence stars as an FBI agent who goes undercover as an elderly, overweight woman named Big Momma to catch a dangerous criminal. The movie follows Lawrence’s character as he navigates hilarious and heartwarming situations while maintaining his disguise. Big Momma’s House marked a pivotal moment in Martin Lawrence’s career, solidifying his status as one of the major comedy actors in the world. While it received a plethora of negative reviews, the film grossed over $174 million worldwide. What’s more, the film’s wacky and camp humour resonated with audiences, drawing comparisons to Eddie Murphy‘s successful movie The Nutty Professor, as both featured actors using prosthetics to transform into larger-than-life characters.
Watch Big Momma’s House on Netflix
3. Black Knight (2001)
Despite the initial box office disappointment of Black Knight, which grossed $39.9 million worldwide against a $50 million budget, the film has since gained a cult following over the years. One of the main reasons for this resurgence is Martin Lawrence’s commanding lead comedic performance. In the movie, Lawrence plays a theme park employee who is transported back in time to medieval England, where he finds himself in the midst of knights, castles, and royal intrigue. As he navigates this unfamiliar and comical setting, Lawrence’s charisma and comedic timing shine through, providing plenty of laughs and light-hearted entertainment for viewers, making it a movie fit for the entire family.
2. Life (1999)
When Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy partnered up for the movie Life in 1999, it seemed like a project that was set for massive success. At the time, Lawrence and Murphy were two of the biggest names in comedy. However, the movie failed to land with a wide audience, grossing only $73.4 million against a $75 million budget. Despite this financial disappointment, Life has gone on to be considered a hidden gem by many. Furthermore, its initial reviews upon release were mostly positive, making its box office failure all the more perplexing.
The vastly underrated film offers a refreshing blend of comedy and drama, focusing on two men who are wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Starting out as a bickering, mismatched duo, they eventually become good friends and plot multiple escape plans that continue to go drastically wrong. The result feels like a mix of prison movies like The Shawshank Redemption and buddy comedies like See No Evil, Hear No Evil, making it a movie that should be on all comedy lovers watch lists.
1. Nothing to Lose (1997)
Outside of the Bad Boys movies, Nothing to Lose stands out as one of the most critically accepted films from Martin Lawrence’s career. The movie follows the story of Nick Beam, played by Tim Robbins, a man who finds himself at the lowest point in his life when he catches his wife cheating on him. To make matters worse, his life spirals even further when he is carjacked by Terrance (Lawrence), a free-spirited criminal looking for his next big score. However, the two soon put their heads together, with Nick realising he can use this criminal to get payback on his wife.Together, the two embark on a wild road trip filled with chaos, danger, and unexpected friendship.
Nothing to Lose had a star-studded cast, with Lawrence and Robbins delivering a hilarious and mismatched dynamic that oozes comedic chemistry. Additionally, breakout performances from actors like Giancarlo Esposito and John C. McGinley added to the film’s charm and hilarity, solidifying Nothing to Lose as a fan favourite in Lawrence’s filmography. Want to read more about Martin Lawrence? Here’s our look into his sitcom, Martin.
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