• American actor, screenwriter and producer Duane Martin born in Brooklyn, New York City USA in 1965
• Played roles in close to 50 movies and TV series, best known for playing Joel in 1997 movie "Scream 2"
• Played Vidal Thomas in all 19 episodes of the comedy “Out All Night” and starred as Robert James Sr. in the comedy “All of Us”
• Married to fellow actress and singer Tisha Michelle Campbell 1996-2018, two sons
• Net worth estimated at over $500,000 as of December 2022
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Who is Duane Martin?
American actor, screenwriter and producer Duane Martin was born in Brooklyn, New York City USA, on 11 August 1965, so his zodiac sign’s Leo. He’s had roles in close to 50 movies and TV series, and is probably still best known for playing Joel in the 1997 mystery horror movie “Scream 2”, directed by Wes Craven, and which starred Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette. It follows Sidney who’s getting used to college life, while someone wearing a Ghostface costume has begun killing students; the movie won eight of its 21 award nominations.
Education and early life
Duane’s parents raised him in New York City, however, nearly nothing is known about them, because Duane respects their privacy; it’s believed that he doesn’t have siblings, as he hasn’t spoken of having any.
He grew up being an avid basketball player, and also played football and baseball while attending a local high school. Duane matriculated in 1983, and then enrolled at New York University on a basketball scholarship; during his four years there, he played in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III.
Duane graduated in 1987, and in 1989 signed a non-guaranteed contract with the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA); he was soon let go, and then chose acting over basketball.
Roles in movies
Duane’s debut film role was his playing of Steve in the 1990 drama “Moe’s World”, and he could then have been seen appearing in the 1992 sports comedy “White Men Can’t Jump”, the 1994 crime sports drama “Above the Rim” and the 1994 romantic comedy “The Inkwell”.
In 1996, Duane played Jackson in the comedy “Down Periscope”, directed by David S. Ward, and which starred Kelsey Grammer, Lauren Holly and Rob Schneider; it follows Lieutenant Commander Tom Dodge who’s become Captain of the diesel submarine USS Stingray. The remainder of the ‘90s saw Duane appear in the 1997 comedy “Fakin’ Da Funk”, the 1998 romantic comedy “Woo” and the 1999 war drama “Mutiny”.
The year 2003 saw him play Michael ‘Mike’ in the romantic drama “Deliver Us from Eva”, written and directed by Gary Hardwick, and which starred Gabrielle Union, LL Cool J and Essence Atkins. It follows Eva who doesn’t allow her sisters’ boyfriends to push them around, while they’ve now decided to find her a man; the movie won four of its 16 award nominations. Duane had only three film roles in the remainder of the decade: in 2003 in the comedy “What Boys Like” and the romantic crime action “Ride or Die”, and the 2004 romantic musical comedy “The Seat Filler”.
He’s since appeared in only a single movie: in 2015, he portrayed Duane Shakir in the romantic comedy “Sister Code”, directed by Corey Grant, and which starred Amber Rose, Ev Marcille and Drew Sidora. It follows three foster sisters whose mother’s just died.
Roles in TV series
Duane’s debut TV series appearance was in the 1991 episode “Hoops” of the comedy “Against the Law”, and the following year saw him appear in an episode of the comedy “Roc”, and the adventure comedy “CBS Schoolbreak Special”.
In 1992 and 1993, he played Vidal Thomas in all the 19 episodes of the comedy “Out All Night”, created by Andy and Susan Borowitz, and which starred Patti LaBelle, Morris Chestnut and Vivica A. Fox; it follows the lives of a group of friends, one of whom is the owner of a Los Angeles nightclub. Some of Duane’s other roles in the ‘90s were in an episode of the comedies “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”, “Living Single” and “Between Brothers”.
From 2003 through 2007, he starred as Robert James Sr. in the comedy “All of Us”, which Will Smith and Betsy Borns created, and which also starred Khamani Griffin and LisaRaye McCoy. The series follows a TV reporter’s estranged wife who’s just moved back in with him; it was nominated for 12 awards.
Duane’s since appeared in only a couple of TV series, while his most notable performance has perhaps been his playing of Ben Baines, one of the lead characters in the action crime comedy “L. A.’s Finest”, created by Brandon Margolis and Brandon Sonnier, and which also starred Jessica Alba and Gabrielle Union. It follows Drug Enforcement Agent (DEA) Sydney Burnett, whos begun working with the Los Angeles Police Department, the series aired in 2019 and 2020 and won three of its four award nominations.
Other credits
Duane wrote and produced the 2003 romantic crime action movie “Ride or Die”, and the 2004 romantic musical comedy film “The Seat Filler”.
Some of the talk-shows in which he’s made a guest appearance include “Meet the Peetes”, “Red Table Talk” and “Real Husbands of Hollywood”.
Awards and nominations
Duane’s been nominated for four awards, including a 1993 Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Special, for “CBS Schoolbreak Special”.
He was also nominated for a 2004 BET Comedy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Box Office Movie, for “Deliver Us From Eva”, a 2005 Bet Comedy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and a 2005 Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series, both for “All of Us”.
Love life and Will Smith rumors
Duane was married to American actress and singer Tisha Michelle Campbell, who’s perhaps still best known for her lead roles in sitcoms “My Wife and Kids” and “Martin”. The two married on 17 August 1996, and Tisha gave birth to their first son Xen Martin on 8 August 2001, while their second son Ezekiel Czar Martin followed on 8 September 2009. Tisha filed for divorce in February 2018, finalized in December 2020.
Many people believe that what led to Duane and Tisha’s divorce was his relationship with famous American actor and rapper Will Smith. The two have been close friends for many years now, and although they’ve both described these rumors as ridiculous, some of their fans still believe that they were, or perhaps still are romantically linked.
Duane hasn’t spoken about his past or present affairs, and is single as of December 2022, was married to Tisha Campbell, and has two sons with her.
Interesting facts and hobbies
Duane’s also close friends with famous American actor, screenwriter and producer Marlon Wayans.
There are today nearly 200,000 people following him on Instagram, and he’s posted close to 800 pictures and videos; Duane enjoys sharing motivational quotes on the social media network.
His favorite season’s spring.
Duane works out at the gym nearly every day, and has shown off his abs in some of his Instagram pictures.
His favorite actors are Denzel Washington and Bernice Mac, and some of his favorite movies include “The Little Things”, “Safe House” and “The Tragedy of Macbeth”.
Height, eyes and wealth
Duane’s age is 57. His eyes are brown and he has short black hair, he’s 5ft 10ins (1.78m) tall and weighs around 175lbs (80kgs).
Duane’s net worth’s been estimated at more than $500,000, as of December 2022.
