On today in 1997, the enduring sitcom Martin debuted on FOX. During its five season run, the TV program gave audiences across the country a weekly dose of laughter, and many hilarious moments to confer with family and friends in the times that followed.

Starring the comedic legend Martin Lawrence because the show’s title character, Martin chronicled his every day interactions along with his better half (played by Tisha Campbell), his duties and a radio disc jockey – and eventual talk show host – in addition to the knee-slapping conversations he would have along with his friends and acquaintances around the town of Detroit.

Alongside Lawrence and Campbell, Martin featured a stellar forged which included Tichina Arnold, Carl Anthony Payne II, Thomas Mikal Ford, and Garrett Morris. It also had special guest appearances from notable celebrities reminiscent of Tracy Morgan, The Notorious B.I.G., David Alan Grier, Method Man, Brian McKnight, Gary Coleman, Lynn Whitfield, Tommy Davidson, and countless others.

From August 27, 1992 to May 1, 1997, Martin was one in all the highest-rated shows on FOX, and the time since its series finale it has received admiration from multiple generations of viewers, and develop into a staple in not only Black culture, but popular culture.

In celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of its debut, let’s take a have a look at the forged of Martin – then and now.

01

Martin Payne

The show’s title character is a radio disc jockey turned talk show host. It follows him as he navigates life along with his girlfriend Gina Waters, his friends Tommy and Cole, and his hilariously antagonistic relationship with Gina’s best friend, Pam.

02

Martin Lawrence

Having already established himself as a star before Martin led to 1997, Lawrence has since develop into a comedy legend, and starred in movies reminiscent of Life, National Security, and Blue Streak. He was also the lead character within the Big Momma’s House franchise, in addition to appearing alongside Will Smith in all three of the Bad Boys movies.

03

Gina Waters (Payne)

Gina is Martin’s skilled, fun-loving, romantic and forgiving girlfriend who later becomes his wife. She works for a PR firm and infrequently acts as a peacemaker, and complements Martin’s sometimes-aggressive behavior by serving as a voice of reason. She can also be Pam’s best friend.

04

Tisha Campbell

Campbell has had a profession in entertainment spanning over 40 years. She appeared in movies reminiscent of School Daze (1988), Boomerang (1992), and House Party. After Martin, she starred as Janet “Jay” Marie Johnson-Kyle within the ABC comedy series My Wife and Kids, and most recently Uncoupled and Inside Job on Netflix.

05

Cole Brown

Considered one of Martin’s best friends, the dimwitted but well-meaning and known for his eclectic taste in headgear, Cole proudly cleans jets on the airport for a living, drives an AMC Pacer, and lives along with his mother.

06

Carl Anthony Payne II

Prior to Martin, Payne played Theo Huxtable’s best friend Cockroach on The Cosby Show. Since Martin, Payne has been featured in several TV shows, and stars in Tyler Perry’s Young Dylan on Nickelodeon.

07

Tommy Strawn

Tommy is Martin’s other best friend. Level-headed and intelligent, Tommy serves as one other voice of reason, especially during Martin’s schemes. He and Pam begin a relationship throughout the show’s later seasons.

08

Thomas Mikal Ford

Ford appeared in over 30 film and tv programs after the season finale of Martin, which included starring roles in the ultimate season of Latest York Undercover, in addition to appearing because the “Pope of Comedy” in Bill Bellamy’s Who’s Got Jokes from 2006 – 2008. Unfortunately, he passed in 2016 from a ruptured abdominal aneurysm.

09

Pamela “Pam” James

Gina’s sassy and ill-tempered co-worker, best friend and Tommy’s eventual girlfriend. Her and Martin have a hilariously antagonistic relationship that created iconic moments on the show.

10

Tichina Arnold

Since 1997, Arnold starred within the sitcom Everybody Hates Chris, and Happily Divorced, in addition to playing the lead role of Cassie Calloway on Survivor’s Remorse. Today, Arnold plays Tina Butler within the CBS sitcom series The Neighborhood.

11

Stan Winters

Martin’s boss, the owner and founding father of radio station WZUP. He was funny, low-cost, untrustworthy, and wore woefully outdated clothing from the Nineteen Seventies.

12

Garrett Morris

Morris was already a longtime entertainer prior to Martin, appearing in Cooley High, Automobile Wash, and Saturday Night Live. Within the years following, he would star as Uncle Junior on The Jamie Foxx Show, in addition to having appearances in This Is Us and A Black Lady Sketch Show.