Tommy Ford, co-star of Detroit-set ‘Martin,’ dies at 52

Thomas Mikal “Tommy” Ford, best known to TV audiences as Tommy Strawn, the straight man to radio DJ Martin Payne on the Detroit-set 1990s sitcom “Martin,” is dead at 52, TMZ reports.

Ford’s wife tells the celebrity news outlet that the actor suffered a stomach aneurysm and had been battling the ailment since Sunday.

With “Martin,” headlined by actor-comedian Martin Lawrence, Ford rounded out one of the most – if not the most – cohesive, chemistry-driven casts in black sitcom history, part of a bill that included Tisha Campbell-Martin, Tichina Arnold and Carl Anthony Payne II.

As Tommy, a frequent running joke around Ford’s character was the mystery of his profession – though his job was actually referred to twice, if subtly, in the series. Often the most level-headed of the characters, Tommy was often an unwilling co-conspirator in Martin and Cole’s schemes, a voice of reason in the relationship between Martin and Gina, and a love interest for Pam – one of the handful of depictions of on-screen black love between two career-minded professionals at the time.

Along with post-“The Cosby Show” sitcoms “Living Single,” “Family Matters” and “A Different World,” “Martin’s” influence – including Tommy’s dubious claims to employment, which were reborn through Internet memes throughout the 2010s – hovers over modern pop culture, especially as more attention is paid to diversity and inclusion on screen.

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Ford was also known for roles in the Kid ‘N Play comedy “Class Act,” a supporting role in the Fox drama “New York Undercover” and a recurring role in UPN’s “The Parkers.” In recent years, Ford had become a motivational speaker, acting coach and accessories designer.

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