2.  16 April 1965  Frankfurt, Germany

3.  Martin Lawrence took his stand-up comedy act and turned it into the hit TV show Martin from 1992- 1997.  In addition to the title role, Lawrence portrayed several different characters.  The success of the series helped launch Lawrence on a career that has included comedy albums and several movies, including A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, which he also co-wrote and directed, and two big-budget buddy movies with Will Smith, Bad Boys (1995) and Bad Boys II (2003). Will SmithWill Smith

4.  Lawrence's off-screen antics have frequently made headlines, including a 1996 incident where he was found shouting incoherently in the middle of a busy intersection, and a 1999 incident where he collapsed and fell into a coma.  Graduate of Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Landover, 1984.  Comedian Martin Lawrence has been one of the busiest entertainers in show business. As star of the FOX-TV series Martin and host of Home Box Office's Def Jam Comedy Hour, Lawrence has found a wide and varied audience for his humor based on the black urban experience.

5.  Ratings for Lawrence's situation comedy in particular indicate that the young performer has found a "young, multiracial audience," to quote New York Times writer Mark Stuart Gill. multiracial  The reporter added that most of the appeal of Martin "emanates from Mr. Lawrence himself.... He resembles a teddy bear on caffeine." caffeine  More recently, Lawrence has actively pursued his acting career on film, starring with such renown comedians as Will Smith and Eddie Murphy.

6.  In The Source, Eric D. Hatcher wrote: "Despite [the 1992-93 television] season's explosion of new sitcoms featuring black casts, Martin is perhaps the only one that successfully portrays a slice of urban reality. slice  The show tends to exemplify the comedian's own beliefs in love, cultural pride and the black family unit. exemplify  And the on-screen love thang between Martin and upscale girlfriend Gina (Tisha Campbell) is a true-to-heart depiction of a '90s brotherman, his woman and their relationship." upscale

7.  Lawrence himself told the New York Times that Martin is closely based upon his own experiences, his own joys and pain.  "Martin is a black man in his own world," the entertainer said. "He does hard, physical comedy.  But he can be silly and gentle and romantic. His persona is about trying to find a place in society and a loving relationship that works."

9.  Where was Martin Lawrence born? A. England B. Germany C. France

12. What is his B-day? A. October 13 B. March 1 C. April 16

13. What was his goal?  A. working at dominos  B. being an comedian, actress, and director  C. working at papa johns

14. Is he really romantic?  True  False

15. Is he really funny  Yes  No