So they weren’t classic films, but I don’t know anybody who doesn’t get excited and drop what they’re doing to watch House Party (the original) and Class Act. The dancing is amazing, the storylines are easy to follow and you can’t say you aren’t fully entertained. These two movies dropped more than 20 years ago and it’s been a while since we’ve seen all the stars that made them must-see films in black homes years ago. Some, well, you know what they’re up to because they’re still doing big things, while others have stayed under the radar. Shall we be nosey and find out their whereabouts? Be prepared to click!

AJ Johnson

Adrienne-Joi Johnson captured everybody’s attention with her yellow spandex jumpsuit and killer dance moves in House Party. Playing Sharane, the cool chick from the hood (no for real, her neighborhood was mad sketch), both Kid and Play battled for her affections for most of the movie, but her finger wave and curl-wearing behind played coy with both fellas cause she had it like that. So where is she nowadays? Out here flexing on folks as a fitness and wellness coach. Check the abs for proof of how that’s working out. After her role in Baby Boy, Johnson did a few TV roles here and there (including hosting the show Flab to Fab), but she’s been more about weight loss and overall health over the past few years, even being a spokeswoman for the American Cancer Society.

You know what they say about comedians, they have highs and lows. And just because they’re able to make us smile and laugh doesn’t mean they’re doing the same in their own personal lives. See which comedians have suffered their fair share of not so funny drama.

We love each of these actors and singers for their talent, but no role in film, TV or stage is more perfect than the roles they have together, reliving some of the most classic movie roles and songs as a duet. Here are 15 Black celebrity couples, primarily from the 90′s and beyond, we love to see together on the big screen, the main stage or in our headphones, and the many projects they’ve starred in together.

Source: Goldstar

Angela Bassett & Laurence Fishburne

This perfect cinematic couple have been featured in multiple projects together, from the big screen to the small stage. This couple most famously played Ike and Tina Turner for “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” were mother and father to Tre Styles (Cuba Gooding Jr.), performed on the stage together in “Fences,” and appeared together again in the 2006 film, “Akeelah and the Bee.”

Quality shows  featuring positive African Americans just aren’t made like they used to be. They’re enjoyed now through re-runs on TV One and rewound for laughs on DVD/Blu Ray players. Most shows have special reunions to find out what favorite characters are up to but these six sitcoms could use more than just an hour of screen time to catch up. I’m thinking if the Sex and the City chicks could get TWO (count ‘em) movies, why not some of our favorite black comedies from back in the day?

In fact, we even created storylines for the shows to help make them more dramatic. Would you check these out on the big screen?

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ybf.com

by Marissa Ellis

Martin Lawrence and his wife Shamicka Gibbs never flaunted their relationship like other Hollywood couples, but that didn’t stop the low key couple from going the way of many a Hollywood union. People has reported that the longtime lovers have decided to call it quits. The couple had been together for 13 years and had two daughters together before they decided to tie the knot in 2010.

Lawrence was previously married to Patricia Southall and had one daughter with her. His ex-wife went on to marry Dallas Cowboy Emmitt Smith. Lawrence was also in a long term relationship with Saved By The Bell actress Lark Voorhies.

Lawrence was reportedly set to make his return to television, having shot a pilot for CBS recently.

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Source: robertoramone.tumblr.com

It’s no secret that black films thrived in the late eighties and early nineties. So it’s no surprise that Boomerang came along when it did. Released in 1992, the film started off as Eddie Murphy’s brainchild. The movie was a hit, becoming the 18th highest grossing film of the year. By now, you’ve probably seen the movie, but we bet you don’t know some of the behind the scenes secrets. Well don’t worry sweetness, we’re going to share the knowledge.

Source: tyesonm26.wordpress.com

I dare you to try and think of one, just one, episode of “Martin” that you could classify as your favorite. It’s hard, right? The Fox show was probably what brought folks home on Thursday nights, and is also one of the few TV sitcoms that many people actually own on DVD, even though it often appears on TV through syndication. It was just THAT funny. Maybe it was crazy Martin Lawrence and his many characters, the silly stories, or just how well the cast meshed together, but this show was THE bomb. Time to take a walk down memory lane, and also look to the present to see what our favorite cast members and characters from the iconic black comedy are up to now. And as always, be prepared to click (so don’t complain).

Source: celebrityworthlist.com

Martin Lawrence

Martin Lawrence did a lot of film and TV work before he landed his own show. He was on “What’s Happening Now,” in Do The Right Thing, and of course, House Party. But it wasn’t until he played insane Martin Payne that he blew up. We loved his penchant for throwing people out when they tried to play him, his hilarious dancing skills, and his back and forth banter with Pam.  He was everyone from Sheneneh Jenkins and old Otis, to Jerome and King Beef (“But first, I must dance!”). Of course, Martin had success during and after the show, appearing in the film, Bad Boys and A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, and then doing a lot of family friendly and crazy movies: Big Momma’s House, Rebound, and Death at a Funeral. It was recently announced that a possible Bad Boys 3 will be brought to theaters in the future. *Excited face*

Source: zimbio.com

Source: Zap 2 It

Ol’ Marty Mart is back. Last month we found out that CBS was toying around with two different scripts to bring Martin Lawrence back to prime time TV, and the network has officially given a pass to a new comedy project.

CBS scratched both of the initial ideas in favor of a pilot featuring Martin as a widowed father of two teens who loses his job as a construction worker and then attempts to enroll in the police academy at the seasoned age of 46. I wonder if Martin will dredge up a little bit of Otis the security guard from his ’90s show for this part.

Mike Lisbe and Nate Reger from “$#*! My Dad Says” will write and executive produce the untitled project so we can count on plenty of non-PC jokes, especially once Martin gets involved. Hope the pilot proves to be as funny as his show was back in the day.

What do you think about this plot, will it work?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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Madame Noire caught up with entertainment legends Martin Lawrence and Billy Dee Williams at the Eye On Black event in Los Angeles, honoring Black film directors like Haile Gerima and Debbie Allen. Comedian and actor Brandon T. Jackson also spoke to Madame Noire about hosting the star studded event.

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I can’t get enough of Martin even though it’s been 15 years since the show went off the air (shout out to TV One for playing reruns). Thankfully, Comedian Martin Lawrence is expected to return to TV soon with a new sitcom on CBS.

The network is currently throwing around two different scripts for a show. In the first one, developed by “Bernie Mac” creator Larry Wilmore, Martin would play a single man who becomes a foster parent to several children along with his sister. Tom Hertz, the creator of “Rules of Engagement”  came up with a different plot where Martin would be a family man trying to keep his kids grounded while facing off with his wealthy in-laws.

The funny man known for characters like Sheneneh Jenkins and Jerome, signed a deal with CBS and CBS TV Studios last fall to develop a comedy project and a decision on which direction the network will go is expected in the coming weeks. Martin probably won’t have as much freedom on CBS as he did on Fox but I can’t wait to see if he’s as funny in his 40s as he was in his 20s. Maybe he can get Bruhman to make a cameo.

What do you think about Martin returning to primetime TV? Which sitcom would you prefer to see him in?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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