Martin Lawrence Net Worth

What is Martin Lawrence's net worth and Salary?

Martin Lawrence is an actor and stand-up comedian who has a net worth of $110 million. After attending a performing arts high school and becoming a Golden Gloves boxing champion, Martin Lawrence eventually settled on a career in comedy. He made it to the stand-up comedy finals on "Star Search," and that led to television work.  His professional on-camera career began in the late 80s, with roles on such shows as "What's Happening Now!" and multiple pilots.  From there, he transitioned into film work, and for the next few years, he would go back and forth between successful big and small screen projects.  He appeared in such films as "Do the Right Thing," "House Party," and "Boomerang."

In 1992, he began starring in the television show that would bring him the most fame, as the lead character in "Martin."  He earned legions of new fans with his appearances as part of "Def Comedy Jam," and he also co-starred with Will Smith in the blockbuster summer film "Bad Boys" and its sequels.

Unfortunately, somewhere in there, things started to go awry in his personal life.  He was hospitalized multiple times and arrested once between 1995 and 1997 for erratic or violent behavior, and his behavior on the set of "Martin" was so unpredictable and ugly that his co-star filed a lawsuit.  He has since slowed the pace of his work down and has seemed to be back on track. In April 2023, Lawrence got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Salary Highlights

At one point in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Martin was one of the highest-paid film stars on the planet. In fact, before the filming of "Bad Boys," Martin was considered much more in-demand and famous than his co-star Will Smith. So much so that for the first Bad Boys, Martin earned a salary of $6 million, whereas Will earned just $2 million. This created an awkward situation where Lawrence reportedly refused to entertain appearing in any Bad Boys sequels years later unless he continued to earn the same as Smith, who by then was the much bigger star. Thankfully, the issues were resolved for Bad Boys 2 in 2003 when both actors earned $20 million.

Martin Lawrence brought home $6 million for 1997's "Nothing to Lose" and $8.5 million for 1999's "Life." He earned $20 million for 1999's "Blue Streak." In 2001, he earned $13 million for "What's the Worst That Could Happen?" He made $16.5 million on 2001's "Black Knight," $20 million on 2003's "National Security," and $20 million on 2003's "Bad Boys II."

Early Life

Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence was born on April 16, 1965, in Frankfurt, Germany, to American parents. Lawrence was named after Martin Luther King, Jr., and John F. Kennedy. When he was seven, his family moved back to the U.S. and settled in Landover, Maryland. His parents divorced in 1973. After that, he rarely saw his father. Lawrence attended Eleanor Roosevelt High School and Friendly High School.

Career

Martin Lawrence began his career performing stand-up comedy in clubs around the Washington, D.C. metro area. To support himself, he worked a series of day jobs while honing his material at night. His break came when fellow comedian Ritch Snyder caught one of his performances and encouraged him to try his luck in New York City. Lawrence took the advice and joined the showcase circuit at the Improv comedy club, where his raw talent and magnetic stage presence quickly attracted attention.

His big moment arrived when he appeared on the televised talent competition "Star Search." Although he made it to the finals, he didn't win. But the exposure proved invaluable. Television producers took notice and cast him in his first acting role on the sitcom "What's Happening Now!!" After that show was canceled, Lawrence picked up a series of smaller parts on television and in films, slowly building his resume and reputation.

His true breakthrough came in 1989 when he landed a supporting role in Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing." That performance, along with his growing popularity on the stand-up circuit, opened new doors. In 1992, Lawrence was tapped to host HBO's "Def Comedy Jam," a landmark series that showcased raw, unfiltered stand-up performances from rising Black comedians. That same year, he debuted his own sitcom, "Martin," on Fox. The show was an instant hit, with Lawrence playing multiple outrageous characters and anchoring a cultural phenomenon. "Martin" ran for five seasons from 1992 to 1997 and remains one of the most iconic Black sitcoms of the 1990s.

In 1994, Lawrence hosted an episode of "Saturday Night Live" that stirred controversy. His opening monologue included crude remarks about women's hygiene, which led NBC to ban him from the show for life. The monologue was removed from all future reruns of the episode.

After "Martin" ended in 1997, Lawrence transitioned into a full-time film career. He initially played second-lead comedic roles, but soon evolved into a bankable leading man. In 1995, he co-starred with Will Smith in the action-comedy "Bad Boys," which became a global hit and launched a major film franchise. The sequel, "Bad Boys II," was released in 2003, followed by "Bad Boys for Life" in 2020. A fourth installment is currently in production.

Outside of the "Bad Boys" series, Lawrence headlined several commercially successful comedies, including "Blue Streak," "Big Momma's House," and "National Security." While his critical reception has varied, his ability to draw audiences made him one of the most bankable comedic actors of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

In 2022, he appeared in the psychological thriller "Mindcage," playing the role of Detective Jake Doyle opposite John Malkovich. The film marked a departure from his usual comedic roles, showing a more subdued side of his acting range.

Personal Life

Lawrence married Patricia Southall, Miss Virginia, USA, in 1995. Their daughter, Jasmin Page, was born in 1996. Lawrence and Southhall divorced in 1997. In May 2025, Jasmin married Eric Murphy, son of Eddie Murphy, which made Eddie and Martin brothers-in-law.

He started dating Shamicka Gibbs in 1997. They have two daughters, Iyanna Faith (2000) and Amara Trinity (2002). They married on July 10, 2010. Lawrence filed for divorce from Gibbs in April 2012.

In April 2019, Martin was reportedly engaged to a nurse named Roberta Moradfar. According to reports at the time, Martin proposed with a $500,000 engagement ring.

Behavioral Issues

In 1995, Lawrence reportedly flew into a violent rage during the filming of "A Thin Line Between Love and Hate" and had to be hospitalized after collapsing.

In January 1997, Lawrence's co-star Tisha Campbell-Martin filed a lawsuit against him, alleging sexual harassment and abuse both on and off the set of  "Martin."  In April 1997, Campbell settled the lawsuit and returned to appear in the last two episodes of the series.

In August 1999, Lawrence went jogging in 100-degree heat wearing heavy clothing over a plastic suit while prepping for "Big Momma's House." He collapsed from heat exhaustion and was in a coma for three days. He almost died as his body temperature hit 107 degrees. His breathing was assisted by a ventilator while he was in a coma.

Real Estate

For years, Lawrence owned a large mansion in the Beverly Park neighborhood of Beverly Hills. It is where he and Gibbs had their wedding. At one point after their divorce, the house was available for rent at $200,000 a month. In 2013, the estate hit the market for $26.5 million. He eventually sold it to Los Angeles real estate developer Bruce Makowsky for $17.2 million. Lawrence then bought a home in Encino, California, for $6.63 million.

Lawrence also owns a farm near Purcellville, Virginia. Martin listed the 116-acre ranch for $8.5 million in 2018.