Martin Lawrence is an American stand-up comedian, actor, producer, talk show host, and writer. He is best known for his comedy series Martin which aired on Fox from 1992 to 1997 and the Bad Boys action comedy film franchise.
Martin Lawrence’s Marital History
Lawrence has been married twice. His first marriage was to Patricia Southall in 1995. Southall is a former Miss Virginia USA. She and Lawrence have one daughter together named Jasmine Page Lawrence, born in 1996. Lawrence and Southall divorced in 1997.
In 2010, Lawrence married Shamicka Gibbs. Gibbs is an actress and family law attorney. She and Lawrence have two daughters together – Iyanna Faith Lawrence, born in 2000, and Amara Trinity Lawrence, born in 2002.
Current Wife: Shamicka Gibbs
As of 2023, Lawrence’s wife is Shamicka Gibbs. The two met in 2006 and dated for four years before getting married in 2010. Their wedding took place at Lawrence’s Beverly Hills home and was officiated by Martin Luther King III. Over 100 guests attended the wedding including Eddie Murphy, Denzel Washington, and others.
Shamicka Gibbs was born in 1975 in New York. She graduated from Howard University with a degree in business administration. After college, she went on to earn her Juris Doctor law degree from Southern University Law Center. During her time in law school, Gibbs took an interest in family law which became her specialty.
In addition to being an attorney, Gibbs pursued acting as well. She has appeared in small roles on shows like Martin, Moesha, and The Parent ‘Hood. She also had a role in the film A Thin Line Between Love and Hate which starred her future husband Martin Lawrence.
Gibbs and Lawrence have now been married for over 10 years. By all accounts, they have a happy and healthy relationship. The two split their time between Lawrence’s Los Angeles home and Gibbs’ hometown of New York.
Together Lawrence and Gibbs have a blended family of three daughters. Lawrence acts as stepfather to Gibbs’ daughter from a previous relationship, Amara Trinity. The couple then has two children together – Iyanna Faith and Amara Trinity.
Martin Lawrence’s Thoughts on Married Life
In interviews over the years, Lawrence has shared his perspective on married life. He seems very content with his relationship with Shamicka Gibbs.
In 2011, shortly after their wedding, Lawrence said, “I’m happy. I’m so happy. And everything is real sweet. Everything is everything.. I’m loving it. I’m loving it.”
A few years later in 2013, he commented, “I think it changes everyone when you meet that special someone and get married. Yeah the tables turn!” He laughed and continued, “Things change, in a good way.”
Most recently in 2020, when asked about his wife on The Breakfast Club radio show, Lawrence replied proudly, “That’s my rib, yes.” He expanded, “When you meet that special someone, that’s your rib that’s your other half, that’s your partner, your soulmate.”
It’s clear from these statements that Lawrence is very content with his relationship with Shamicka Gibbs. After two divorces, it seems he has found lasting love and commitment with Gibbs.
Relationship Timeline
Here is a timeline of Martin Lawrence and Shamicka Gibbs’ relationship:
- 2006: Lawrence and Gibbs meet through mutual friends. They begin dating.
- 2007: The couple make their public debut appearing together at a movie premiere.
- 2010: Lawrence proposes to Gibbs on New Year’s Eve.
- 2010: Lawrence and Gibbs are married in a ceremony at his Beverly Hills home officiated by Martin Luther King III.
- 2011: Lawrence tells press he is “so happy” with married life.
- 2013: Lawrence says marriage has changed him for the better.
- 2020: Lawrence proudly calls Gibbs his “rib” and “soulmate” in an interview.
- 2023: The couple have now been married for over 10 years and have a blended family of three daughters.
Martin Lawrence’s Previous Marriages
Prior to marrying Shamicka Gibbs, Lawrence had two previous marriages that ended in divorce:
Patricia Southall
- Met in 1993
- Married January 7, 1995
- Daughter Jasmine born January 15, 1996
- Divorced January 7, 1997
Shamicka Gibbs
- Met in 2006
- Married July 10, 2010
- Daughters Iyanna and Amara
- Remain married as of 2023
Shamicka Gibbs’ Life Before Martin Lawrence
Before meeting and marrying Martin Lawrence, Shamicka Gibbs had her own career endeavors and family life:
- Born in 1975 in New York
- Earned business administration degree from Howard University
- Graduated law school from Southern University
- Specialized in family law
- Had minor acting roles in the 1990s/early 2000s
- Has a daughter from a previous relationship named Amara Trinity Lawrence
Martin Lawrence and Shamicka Gibbs’ Daughters
Lawrence and Gibbs have three daughters together as a blended family:
Jasmine Page Lawrence
- Born January 15, 1996
- Daughter of Martin Lawrence and Patricia Southall
- Works as a model and influencer
Iyanna Faith Lawrence
- Born June 9, 2000
- Daughter of Martin Lawrence and Shamicka Gibbs
- Studying at University of Southern California
Amara Trinity Lawrence
- Born August 20, 2002
- Daughter of Shamicka Gibbs
- Martin Lawrence is stepfather
- Studying at University of Southern California
By all accounts, Lawrence is a devoted father and stepfather. He frequently shares family photos on social media and talks about the importance of family in interviews.
Martin Lawrence’s Net Worth
Over his long career in entertainment, Martin Lawrence has amassed an impressive net worth. Celebrity net worth sites estimate his fortune to be around $110 million as of 2023.
Here are some of the main sources contributing to Martin Lawrence’s wealth:
- Acting – Lawrence earned big paydays for films like Bad Boys, Big Momma’s House, and others. He likely earned $10-20 million upfront for many of his biggest roles.
- Production – Lawrence was a producer and creator of his hit sitcom Martin which likely earned him substantial backend profits in royalties and syndication.
- Stand-up comedy – Lawrence toured extensively as a stand-up comic particularly in the 1990s at the height of his fame.
- Endorsements – Like many celebrities, Lawrence has earned income through smaller endorsement deals over the years.
- Investments – Lawrence has likely invested some of his earnings in stocks, real estate, or businesses over his long career.
While $110 million is an immense amount of money, it’s a fortune Lawrence worked hard over decades to earn through his comedy talents. The wealth provides security for him, his wife Shamicka Gibbs, and their daughters.
Shamicka Gibbs’ Net Worth
Shamicka Gibbs has her own separate net worth independent of her famous husband. While her exact fortune is unknown, estimates put her net worth around $1-5 million.
Some of Gibbs’ net worth comes from:
- Her career as a lawyer specializing in family law
- Minor acting roles
- Income from producing
- Possible trust funds or inheritances
As a lawyer, Gibbs likely earns a sizable salary which contributes to her personal fortune. While not at the level of her superstar husband’s wealth, Gibbs has her own successful career.
Martin Lawrence Movie Career
Martin Lawrence has enjoyed an over 30 year career as an actor, stand-up comic, producer, and writer. Some highlights of his movie career include:
Early Roles
- Do the Right Thing (1989)
- House Party (1990)
- Boomerang (1992)
- Bad Boys (1995) – first blockbuster role
Big Momma’s House Franchise
- Big Momma’s House (2000) – $117 million worldwide gross
- Big Momma’s House 2 (2006) – $140 million worldwide
- Big Momma: Like Father, Like Son (2011)
- Big Momma’s House 3 announced
Bad Boys Franchise
- Bad Boys (1995)
- Bad Boys II (2003) – $273 million worldwide gross
- Bad Boys for Life (2020) – $426 million worldwide gross
Other Major Roles
- Life (1999)
- Blue Streak (1999)
- National Security (2003)
- Wild Hogs (2007)
- Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins (2008)
With his trademark humor and energy, Lawrence has remained a bankable box office draw over three decades in Hollywood. The Bad Boys and Big Momma’s House franchises have been his biggest commercial hits grossing over $1 billion combined.
Shamicka Gibbs’ Acting Career
In addition to her legal career, Shamicka Gibbs pursued some minor acting roles over the years. Her credits include:
- Martin (1992) – 2 episodes
- Moesha (1996) – 1 episode
- The Parent ‘Hood (1995) – 1 episode
- A Thin Line Between Love and Hate (1996) – Supporting role
Her most prominent role was in the 1996 rom-com A Thin Line Between Love and Hate which starred her future husband Martin Lawrence. The two began dating soon after meeting on set of the film.
While Gibbs’ acting career was limited, it did allow her to cross professional paths with Lawrence leading to their long-term relationship. Her credits dried up once she left acting to pursue her law degree in the late 1990s.
Martin Lawrence and Will Smith Friendship
A major part of Martin Lawrence’s enduring legacy is his partnership with fellow actor Will Smith. The two first teamed up in the 1995 hit Bad Boys and reunited in 2003 for Bad Boys II.
Lawrence and Smith’s natural chemistry fueled the Bad Boys franchise’s success. Their banter and humor as cops Mike Lowrey (Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Lawrence) earned widespread praise.
Off-screen, the two actors became fast friends as well. They developed a brotherly bond built on mutual respect and care for one another. In interviews over the years, both Lawrence and Smith have shared glowing praise and admiration for their friend.
When filming Bad Boys II in 2002, Lawrence suffered a health scare that caused him to collapse on set. He attributes Smith’s friendship and support during the difficult time as instrumental to his recovery.
In 2020, Lawrence and Smith delighted fans by reuniting for Bad Boys for Life. The film became the highest grossing in the series earning over $400 million globally. The duo’s magical chemistry remained completely intact 25 years after first teaming up.
Martin Lawrence and Will Smith represent one of the great friendships and partnerships in Hollywood history. Their Bad Boys movies remain beloved action comedies.
Conclusion
Martin Lawrence found marital happiness with his second wife Shamicka Gibbs after two failed previous marriages. The couple met in 2006, married in 2010, and remain together over a decade later.
Gibbs is an Ivy League educated lawyer and actress who found love with the iconic funnyman. She is Lawrence’s self-described “rib” and helped him rebuild his life after divorce and health issues.
Lawrence continues to pursue his acting career starring in the hit Bad Boys sequels in recent years. His friend and co-star Will Smith remains a major part of his personal and professional life.
Martin Lawrence appears to have achieved career longevity and a stable family life with wife Shamicka Gibbs. The couple balances raising their three daughters with Lawrence’s busy Hollywood schedule. By all accounts, they have a loving, committed relationship and blended family.