The Untold Story of Martin Lawrence and Carl Payne’s Tense Relationship: Behind the Scenes of “Martin”

For years, fans of the iconic sitcom Martin have speculated about the behind-the-scenes drama that reportedly plagued the show during its run.

While much of the spotlight was cast on the reported tension between Martin Lawrence and co-star Tisha Campbell, the on-screen chemistry between Lawrence’s character, Martin Payne, and Carl Payne’s character, Cole Brown, has always been one of the most memorable elements of the show.

However, as Carl Payne recently revealed, their off-screen relationship was anything but friendly, marked by personal struggles, professional tension, and years of unresolved issues.

Carl Payne’s Early Career and Martin Role

Carl Anthony Payne’s acting career began in the 1980s, where he initially made a name for himself on The Cosby Show as Walter “Cockroach” Bradley, the best friend of Theo Huxtable.

Payne’s natural comedic timing on the show helped him land more roles in other TV shows, including Hull High and Quantum Leap. But it wasn’t until he landed the role of Cole Brown on Martin in 1992 that he truly rose to fame.

The show, centered around the life of Martin Payne, played by Martin Lawrence, became a massive hit.

Payne’s character, Cole, brought an extra layer of comedy to the already hilarious ensemble cast. Carl Payne’s portrayal of the lovable but often clueless Cole was a fan favorite.

As the show grew in popularity, Payne continued to act in various roles after Martin ended, including appearances in shows like Jack and Jill and Young Dylan.

The Rise of Martin Lawrence

Before Martin made its debut, Martin Lawrence was already a rising star known for his raw stand-up comedy. His comedy style on Def Comedy Jam won him legions of fans, which made his transition to acting seamless.

On Martin, Lawrence played the lead role of Martin Payne, a loud and energetic DJ turned talk-show host.

His antics, combined with his larger-than-life personality, made the sitcom one of the most popular of the 1990s.

As Martin gained traction, Lawrence’s career skyrocketed, and he went on to star in blockbuster films like Bad Boys, Blue Streak, and Big Mama’s House.

Tension Behind the Scenes: Martin and Carl Payne’s Feud

Despite the apparent harmony on-screen, Carl Payne revealed in later interviews that his relationship with Martin Lawrence was fraught with tension off-camera.

Initially, their working relationship had been positive, but as the show progressed, things began to change. According to Payne, Lawrence started treating him differently, creating a stressful environment on set.

Payne speculated that the source of the tension stemmed from Lawrence’s personal struggles, which made him increasingly difficult to work with.

Payne shared his thoughts about the situation, explaining, “We had a lot of tense days on the set… Martin had issues within himself already. I don’t think he was in a good place at that time.”

He attributed much of Lawrence’s behavior to the pressures of show business and personal battles Lawrence was facing.

The tension on set grew so severe that Payne eventually reached a breaking point. He recalled that Martin’s actions crossed a line when they began affecting his peace of mind.

“Once you cross the line and you come at me in a way that I can’t sleep at night or feel like you’re threatening me, then it’s a different story,” Payne said. He admitted that it became difficult to ignore the discontent and professional disrespect.

The Impact of Martin’s Personal Struggles

Carl Payne also discussed how Martin Lawrence’s off-camera struggles seemed to manifest in his behavior toward the cast and crew.

He mentioned that while Lawrence’s actions became increasingly difficult to navigate, Payne understood that Lawrence was likely battling personal demons.

“When you’re young, certain things make you angry, but as you get older, those things do not seem as important,” Payne reflected.

Despite the challenges, Payne made an effort to remain professional. Even though the environment was uncomfortable, he chose to focus on his work and contribute to the success of the show.

But by the end of the show’s run, their relationship was permanently strained, and they went years without speaking.

The Long-Awaited Reunion

It wasn’t until more than 20 years later that Carl Payne and Martin Lawrence finally reunited.

The reunion came as a surprise to fans when they were pictured together for the first time in decades.

Payne confirmed that this was indeed the first time he and Lawrence had seen each other in over two decades, acknowledging that the gap was a result of the issues they had faced in the past.

Carl Payne admitted that he never had a personal issue with Martin, but instead, it seemed like Lawrence had unresolved problems with him.

He had difficulty understanding why Martin treated him the way he did, but in the end, Payne didn’t hold grudges.

The reunion marked a pivotal moment in their relationship. It allowed Payne to see that Martin had changed, and perhaps, so had their connection.

The Disappearance of Stan Winters: Garrett Morris’s Exit from Martin

While the feud between Payne and Lawrence was the focal point for many fans, another backstage drama that often went unnoticed was Garrett Morris’s exit from Martin.

Morris, who played Stan Winters on the show, had been a prominent character during the first few seasons.

Stan was known for his dramatic antics as the owner of the radio station, where Martin worked. However, Morris’s exit from the show was marked by an unfortunate real-life event that would drastically alter the course of his career.

In 1994, Garrett Morris was the victim of a violent robbery attempt that left him with serious injuries. Morris was shot multiple times and was forced to undergo multiple surgeries.

During his recovery, it was revealed that he had been written out of the show, and his character’s departure was explained away by the writers in a way that made it seem like Stan had chosen to leave the station.

However, Morris later revealed that he had actually been fired from the show while he was still in the hospital, and it was Martin Lawrence who made the decision to let him go.

This revelation left many fans shocked and disappointed in the way Morris was treated, particularly since the show had once celebrated his character’s comedic role.

The Legacy of Martin

Despite the behind-the-scenes drama, Martin remains one of the most beloved sitcoms of the 1990s. The show had a lasting impact on pop culture, with iconic catchphrases like “What’s up?” and “Get to steppin’” still being quoted today.

It also gave rise to a number of memorable characters, including Cole Brown and Hustleman, played by Tracy Morgan.

The series showcased the brilliance of Martin Lawrence’s comedy, but also highlighted the challenges that come with fame and the pressure of maintaining relationships in a high-stakes industry.

The Martin cast members, including Carl Payne, Martin Lawrence, and others, will forever be remembered for their contributions to the sitcom’s success. While their off-screen relationships were complicated, the moments of laughter, chemistry, and iconic television history will always live on. As the years go by, the legacy of Martin continues to be celebrated by fans who still watch reruns and cherish the joy the show brought to millions.