Concerns about Martin Lawrence’s health have come up again after people noticed he seemed off balance with his speech and energy.
In an interview with Extra’s Melvin Robert about “Bad Boys,” Lawrence said, “Y’all have been doing this now for 30 years. I know, 30 years. 30! What do you know now about one another that you didn’t know 30 years ago?”
He went on to say, “I now appreciate how talented he is,” referring to Will Smith. “I’ve watched his growth from ‘Fresh Prince’ to movies and all the accomplishments he’s achieved. I’m really impressed. Really impressed.”
Fans quickly took note of Lawrence’s slow and slurred speech, especially in contrast to Will Smith’s high energy. Many commented that Lawrence seemed eager to wrap up the interview. The comment section was filled with messages like “Martin is not okay,” “Get well Marty Mar,” and “Something is really off about Martin—his slow reaction, stumbling over words. You can even tell Will recognizes it by the way he looks at him, but you know Will has his back regardless.”
It wouldn’t be a big deal if this were the only time Martin seemed off, but it’s starting to become a pattern. In several videos posted over the past month, he appears slower to respond than usual. For instance, in an interview with Devon Rodriguez Art, where he and Will Smith were guests, Will did most of the talking. When Martin spoke, his responses were slower, and he didn’t match Will’s energy at all.
“Just respect and love, and just a great deal of respect, you know. We love working with each other,” Martin said.
Then, there was his appearance at the 2024 Emmy Awards in January, where he reunited with his former Martin co-stars. People noticed he didn’t seem the same, especially when he presented the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. Martin visibly struggled with the teleprompter, pausing and slurring his words. After the awards, comments started pouring in, much like they are now. People were saying things like, “Anybody else think something is going on with Martin Lawrence? Is he under the influence or got something going on?” Another added, “Major health issues. He’s had stuff going on for like a decade now, and I think as he gets older it gets a bit worse. Plus, alcohol. This is all just my opinion.”
At the time, his spokesperson assured everyone that he was in top form and chalked up his awkward presentation to a technical glitch with the teleprompter, caused by some last-minute script changes. However, this recent interview making the rounds seems to have nothing to do with the teleprompter hiccup, leaving folks to once again wonder if Martin is truly doing alright.
During the interview, Martin shared that his brother had just passed away, leading some to speculate whether this recent loss might be impacting him more than he lets on.
“My ride-or-die is my best friend Larry Wack, my brother who just passed away. Sean Lampkin, all of those were my ride-or-dies, you know, and those are my best friends that I’ve been baptized with and everything. We grew up together and all that,” Martin said.
However, there are also accounts from extras who worked on the last Bad Boys film, noting that Martin appeared low energy and off even then. This raises doubts about the grieving narrative, especially considering his brother’s recent passing.
What we do know for sure is that Martin grapples with bipolar disorder, a battle he’s been facing for quite some time. In a candid 2019 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Martin himself admitted, “I’ve been dealing with this for a long time. It’s a part of me. I’m not going to let it define me.” He also mentioned that he relies on medication and therapy to manage his bipolar disorder, a condition he’s been confronting for years.
If you’re curious about the struggles his mental health has brought about, let me give you a rundown: Firstly, let’s talk about his relationship with his ex-wife, Patricia Southall. While much of the information about their past has been scrubbed from the internet, there are old reports indicating that Martin exhibited concerning behavior towards Patricia, especially concerning their daughter Jasmine. According to accounts from Patricia herself in a legal affidavit, Martin’s emotional instability often spilled over into his work, with instances of him breaking down uncontrollably before taking the stage for his performances. There’s a particularly distressing incident where he woke Patricia in the middle of the night, holding Jasmine and demanding to know why their private nurse wasn’t present. When Patricia explained the nurse had some time off, Martin exploded in anger, threatening violence and pushing her while still holding their baby. This incident prompted Patricia and Jasmine to seek refuge in a hotel, but Martin tracked them down and made chilling threats against their lives and the lives of their family members. It’s even said that his rage was so intense that he destroyed property, like kicking and breaking a marble tile wall near Patricia’s hotel room. Allegedly, he left a note expressing his desperation to have them back, coupled with threats if they didn’t comply.
Remember that crazy incident back in ’96 with Martin? He got picked up by the cops in LA, wandering around with a gun, screaming about someone out to get him. Witnesses said he was going off about fighting the system and not backing down. Ended up in the hospital, and turns out he hadn’t been taking his meds, had a seizure and all. His doc said he was just completely wiped out and dehydrated.
Then, just two months later, he gets busted again at Burbank airport with another loaded gun. Did a couple months’ probation for that. And as if that wasn’t enough, he gets into a fight at a club in ’97 and gets slapped with community service.
And let’s not forget that time he collapsed from heat exhaustion while jogging in some ridiculous outfit, landing himself in a coma for three days. Wild, right?
It’s important to remember that Martin himself openly admitted during one of his stand-up shows, “You So Crazy,” that he had a streak of craziness in him. There’s this one bit where he talks about a woman getting involved with a crazy guy and feeling trapped. Towards the end, he jokes about being just like that guy. Apart from his comedic antics, Martin has had his share of troubling moments, including past episodes of manic behavior that led to a lawsuit filed by Tisha Campbell. According to Campbell, during rehearsals and filming of their show, Martin’s behavior became increasingly erratic and volatile. He’d fly into fits of rage for no apparent reason, often intimidating people on set and threatening consequences if he didn’t get his way. Things apparently escalated in the third season, with Martin constantly yelling and making threats, creating a toxic atmosphere. Campbell even mentioned in her lawsuit that Martin’s behavior caused her immense stress, to the point where she needed hospitalization.
It’s been quite a journey witnessing Martin Lawrence’s ups and downs over the years. However, what’s concerning now is the growing fear that his recent struggles might signify something more serious than just typical mental health challenges.
Some speculate that it could simply be the inevitable toll of aging catching up with him. We’ve all grown accustomed to his vibrant energy from the past, especially with reruns of his iconic show “Martin” airing frequently. But lately, there’s been a noticeable slowdown. So, the big question looms: is it just the passage of time, or is there something deeper going on with Martin? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
