Duane Martin

This article is about the actor. For the soldier, see Duane W. Martin.

Duane Martin
Martin in 2004
Born (1965-08-11) August 11, 1965 (age 59)
New York City, U.S.
EducationNew York University
OccupationActor
Years active1990–present
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1996; div. 2020)​
PartnerAshley Marie Jones (2023–present)
Children2

Duane Martin (born August 11, 1965) is an American actor. He began his career making appearances on numerous television sitcoms before starring as Robert James on the UPN/CW sitcom All of Us (2003–2007) and as Detective Ben Baines on the police-procedural series L.A.'s Finest. Martin has also appeared in many films throughout his career including White Men Can't Jump (1992), Above the Rim and The Inkwell (both in 1994), The Faculty and Woo (both in 1998), Deliver Us from Eva and Ride or Die (both in 2003), and The Seat Filler (2004).[1]

Early life and education

Martin was born in the Brooklyn borough of New York City and graduated from New York University. He played NCAA Division III basketball at NYU and was signed as an undrafted free agent to a non-guaranteed contract in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the New York Knicks in 1989.[2] However, he was soon cut and never actually played in the NBA.[3]

Career

Martin's early television work includes an appearance on the NBC comedy series Out All Night, starring Patti LaBelle, Vivica A. Fox and Morris Chestnut. He also appeared in the music video for Boyz II Men's 1994 song "I'll Make Love to You". In 1998, Martin was a cast member of the short-lived Fox sitcom Getting Personal, with Vivica A. Fox and Jon Cryer. From 2003 to 2007, he portrayed TV reporter Robert James on the UPN/CW sitcom All of Us. Acting alongside his then-wife Tisha Campbell, he had a recurring role as Chuck on the sitcom Rita Rocks (2009). He later played Fernando on The Paul Reiser Show (2011).

Martin's notable feature film roles include Willie in White Men Can't Jump (1992), Jr. Philips in The Inkwell (1994), and Kyle Lee Watson in Above the Rim (1994). In the romantic comedy film The Seat Filler (2004), he starred as Derrick Harver, a law student who falls in love with a celebrity. Martin plays himself in the BET comedy series Real Husbands of Hollywood. In 2017, he portrayed Louil Silas, Jr. in the television miniseries The New Edition Story.

Personal life

Martin met actress Tisha Campbell in 1990. The couple wed on August 17, 1996, and have two sons. In February 2018, Campbell filed for divorce, which was finalized in December 2020.[4][5]

In February 2024, Martin announced he was engaged to model Ashley Marie Jones.[6]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1992 White Men Can't Jump Willie Lewis
1994 Above the Rim Kyle Lee Watson
The Inkwell Jr. Phillips
1996 Down Periscope Jefferson 'Stoneball' Jackson
1997 Fakin' da Funk Brandon
Scream 2 Joel Martin
1998 Woo Frankie
The Faculty Officer #1
1999 Mutiny B.J. Teach TV movie
Any Given Sunday Willie's Agent
2003 Deliver Us from Eva Michael 'Mike'
What Boys Like Phil
Ride or Die Conrad 'Rad' McRae Video
2004 The Seat Filler Derrick
2015 Sister Code Duane Shakir

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1991 Against the Law - Episode: "Hoops"
1992 Roc Kenny Episode: "All That Jazz"
CBS Schoolbreak Special Jordan Episode: "Different Worlds: A Story of Interracial Love"
1992–93 Out All Night Vidal Thomas Main Cast
1993 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Duane Episode: "It's Better to Have Loved and Lost It..."
1995 Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child The Prince (voice) Episode: "Rapunzel"
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Duane Episode: "I, Ooh, Baby, Baby"
1997 Living Single Ty Richardson Episode: "Living Single Undercover"
Between Brothers Mason Episode: "The List"
1998 The Wonderful World of Disney Jim Episode: "Mr. Headmistress"
Getting Personal Milo Doucette Main Cast
2000 Girlfriends Joan's Love Interest Episode: "Fried Turkey"
2001 One on One Elliott Episode: "Phantom Menace"
2002 Intimate Portrait Himself Episode: "Tisha Campbell-Martin"
Yes, Dear Alan Episode: "Greg's New Friend"
2003 Abby - Episode: "Abby Gets Her Groove Back"
2003-07 All of Us Robert James Main Cast
2006 Ghost Whisperer Ashton Belluso Episode: "The Vanishing"
2007 E! True Hollywood Story Himself Episode: "Will Smith"
2008 The Game Himself Episode: "A Delectable Basket of Treats"
2009 Rita Rocks Chuck DeShannon Recurring Cast: Season 2
2011 The Paul Reiser Show Fernando Main Cast
2013–16 Real Husbands of Hollywood Himself Main Cast
2015 Unsung Hollywood Himself Episode: "Vivica A. Fox"
2017 The Odd Couple Michael Episode: "The God Couple"
The New Edition Story Louil Silas Jr. Main Cast
Unsung Hollywood Himself Episode: "Tupac Shakur"
2018 Meet the Peetes Himself Episode: "The Guilt Trip"
2019–20 L.A.'s Finest Ben Baines Main Cast
2022 Real Husbands of Hollywood Himself Main Cast
Bel-Air Steven Lewis Recurring Cast: Season 1

Awards and nominations

BET Comedy Awards

  • 2004: Nominated, "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Box Office Movie" – Deliver Us From Eva
  • 2005: Nominated, "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series" – All of Us

Daytime Emmy Award

  • 1993: Nominated, "Outstanding Performer in a Children's Special" – CBS Schoolbreak Special

NAACP Image Award

  • 2007: Nominated, "Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series" – All of Us

References

  1. ^ "Duane Martin - Starpulse.com". Archived from the original on April 17, 2016. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  2. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. October 7, 1989. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
  3. ^ "Duane Martin". TVGuide.com. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
  4. ^ Aiello, McKeena (February 22, 2018). "Tisha Campbell-Martin Files for Divorce From Husband Duane Martin". E!. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
  5. ^ "Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin Finalize Divorce 2 Years After Announcing Split | PEOPLE.com".
  6. ^ Hardge, Falen (February 5, 2024). "Duane Martin Announces Engagement To Model Ashley Marie Jones". BET. Retrieved February 10, 2024.