From Bad Boys To Big Bucks: Martin Lawrence's Net Worth

Highlights

• Martin Lawrence's dynamic screen presence has earned him over $2.5 billion in worldwide box office revenue.
• Best known for his boisterous comedy, Lawrence starred in hit films like Big Momma's House, and the Bad Boys franchise.
• In addition to acting, Lawrence has found success as a producer and occasional director, expanding his influence and net worth.

Martin Lawrence's boisterous physical comedy and dynamic screen presence have made audiences laugh for over three decades.

After his start in stand-up and television appearances like What's Happening Now!!, Lawrence made his film debut in the acclaimed Spike Lee film Do The Right Thing.

His popularity soared with box office hits like House Party, Boomerang, and, of course, his self-titled smash sitcom Martin.

The true turning point in his career came in 1995 with Bad Boys, where his chemistry with Will Smith ignited a mega-successful franchise.

Throughout his career, Martin Lawrence has starred in over 40 films which collectively have brought in over $2.5 billion at the worldwide box office, according to TheNumbers.

With blockbusters like Big Momma's House, Bad Boys II, and countless others, it is no surprise that Martin Lawrence was receiving over $10 million per film role at the time.

Through it all, he has weathered career highs and lows while maintaining his status as a bankable comic figure.

Looking ahead, Lawrence is set to reprise his iconic role as Detective Marcus Burnett in the highly anticipated fourth installment of the Bad Boys franchise, titled Bad Boys: Ride Or Die:

Today, Martin Lawrence has an estimated net worth of $110 million.

Let's take a look at his career, and how he earned and maintained his impressive net worth.

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Martin Lawrence's Film Career

Lawrence scored his first major film role in Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing, followed by his groundbreaking role as the fast-talking, hilarious host of HBO's Def Comedy Jam.

The early '90s were dominated by Martin's scene-stealing appearances in movies like the House Party franchise, Boomerang, and Life.

Transitioning to television, Lawrence starred in the hit sitcom Martin between 1992 and 1997 — while simultaneously making waves in comedy films.

Blockbusters like Blue Streak and Nothing To Lose earned him leading man status. However, it was the Bad Boys franchise that brought him global attention.

The first installment, released in 1995, grossed $141 million worldwide, followed by its highly successful sequel in 2003, which earned $272 million.

In 2020, Lawrence returned to the franchise with Bad Boys For Life, which became his highest-grossing film to date, earning $424 million globally.

Lawrence was also generally lauded for his lead role performance in Big Momma. This uproarious film franchise, where Lawrence donned full female drag, saw the original Big Momma's House rake in $173 million.

The sequel Big Momma's House 2 grossed $137 million.

Lawrence reprised his character in the third installment of the Big Momma series, although it did not achieve the same level of success as its predecessors, grossing $82 million worldwide.

Lawrence and Smith will return for the fourth installment of the franchise in June 2024, titled Bad Boys: Ride Or Die.

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Martin Lawrence's Television And Movie Salaries

Martin Lawrence was one of the highest-paid actors at the turn of the millennium, averaging two movies per year and $10 million per movie.

His breakout role as the host of Def Comedy Jam in 1992 paved the way for his sitcom Martin, where he reportedly earned $100,000 per episode during its successful five-season run.

Lawrence's transition to the big screen saw him earn $6 million for his role in Bad Boys. As he became Hollywood's go-to leading man, his paychecks skyrocketed, reflecting his growing demand.

Other notable paydays, including $8.5 million for Nothing To Lose, and $20 million each for Bad Boys II and National Security.

In 2001, the actor bagged $13 million for his starring role in What's The Worst That Could Happen?, and $16.5 million for Black Knight.

In 2020, Lawrence returned to the Bad Boys franchise, earning $6 million for his role in Bad Boys For Life.

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Martin Lawrence's Stand-Up Comedy Earnings

Before dominating the big screen, Martin Lawrence honed his comedic chops on the stand-up circuit.

His raw energy and hilarious observations launched him to national attention. His 1994 special You So Crazy marked a breakthrough, grossing a remarkable $10 million at the box office.

In 2002, Lawrence returned to the stage with Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat, a candid and introspective performance that tackled his personal struggles.

Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat grossed nearly $20 million at the box office, almost seven times its production cost of $3 million.

After almost two decades of absence from stand-up comedy, Lawrence returned with his 2016 special Martin Lawrence: Doin' Time.

While information on the earnings of Martin Lawrence: Doin' Time was not made public, the enduring success of his previous stand-up ventures suggests it was another financial win.

These comedy specials demonstrate that audiences have a continued appetite for Lawrence's raw and hilarious stage presence, contributing significantly to his net worth.

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Earnings From Producing And Directing

Martin Lawrence has expanded his influence (and net worth) as a producer and occasional director.

He cut his production teeth in 1994 with the stand-up film You So Crazy, also serving as executive producer and writer. His involvement proved lucrative with the film's profitable performance.

This instinct continued with A Thin Line Between Love And Hate. He served as executive producer on this romantic comedy-drama, helping it achieve a box office gross of over $35 million.

Additionally, he played a pivotal role in the success of the Big Momma's House franchise, serving as an executive producer for both the original film and its sequel, Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son.

The sequel scored a worldwide total of $83 million at the box office:

In the fantasy adventure buddy comedy film Black Knight, Lawrence starred in a leading role, while serving as an executive producer behind the camera.

Black Knight grossed $39.9 million against a production budget of $50 million.

Martin Lawrence will not only reprise his role as Marcus Burnett in Bad Boys: Ride Or Die, but also serve as an executive producer for the upcoming sequel.

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Martin Lawrence's Real Estate Portfolio

Lawrence owned a large mansion in the Beverly Park neighborhood of Beverly Hills.

In 2012, Lawrence opted to list the property for lease with a monthly rental fee of $200,000. In 2013, Lawrence put the Beverly Park Hills property on the market for $26 million.

However, he sold it for $17.2 million to Los Angeles realtor Bruce Makowsky. Afterward, Lawrence bought a home in Encino, California, for $6.63 million.

The Mindcage actor also owns a 116-acre farm near Purcellville, Virginia, which he listed for $8.5 million in 2018.

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