Pic credit: wpgc.radio.com
Martin Lawrence
Well-known for his major role in Big Momma’s House, the actor and comedian did stand-up for a number of years before getting his breakthrough as the host of HBO’s Def Comedy Jam. He subsequently moved into film acting, appearing in hits such as Bad Boys and Big Momma’s House, which he is credited as the producer. The three instalments of the Big Momma’s House franchise grossed around $390 million worldwide, though each instalment received a budget of about $40 million.
Lawrence also had his own sitcom, Martin, which ran on Fox in the 1990s. After a series of personal and artistic challenges, Lawrence in 2002 returned to his stand-up roots in a solo show that exposes his uncensored views on career, relationships, society and the media. Known as Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat, the show grossed almost $20 million at the box office and holds the fourth spot among the highest-grossing stand-up comedy concert films. In 2010, Lawrence executive produced the TV One show Love That Girl!
