Honestly, if you grew up in the 90s, you didn't just watch Martin. You lived it. Every Thursday night, the world stopped so we could see what kind of mess Martin Payne was getting into, but let's be real for a second. The show wouldn't have been half as legendary without Cole on Martin show, played by the brilliant Carl Anthony Payne II.
Cole Brown was the ultimate sidekick. He wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, sure. But he had heart. And hats. Lots and lots of hats.
Think about the dynamic. You had Martin, who was loud and high-energy. You had Tommy, who supposedly "had a job" (we still don't believe him). And then you had Cole. He was the guy who lived with his mother, Maddie, well into his twenties. He was the guy who once tried to rent out a room to a pigeon. He was the lovable "simple" friend who balanced out the chaos with his own brand of beautiful, confused logic.
The Mystery of the Man Behind Cole Brown
Carl Anthony Payne II didn't just stumble into the role of Cole Brown. Before he was the guy getting roasted by Martin for his big ears or his "rent-to-own" lifestyle, he was actually Walter "Cockroach" Bradley on The Cosby Show. That’s a heavy pedigree.
It’s wild to think about how different those roles were. Cockroach was Theo’s smooth-talking best friend. Cole? Cole was... well, Cole. Carl Payne once mentioned in interviews that people often expect him to be just like the character. They meet him and realize he’s actually a sharp, classically trained actor who studied at Howard University. That’s the mark of a great performance. You play a character so well that people can't separate the two.
Cole was the punching bag of the group, but he took it like a champ. Whether it was Martin making fun of his bird collection or Pam rolling her eyes at his latest "get rich quick" scheme, Cole was the glue. He represented that one friend we all have. You know the one. The guy who is a little "off" but would give you the shirt off his back—even if it was a bright neon 90s windbreaker he bought from Hustle Man.
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Jobs, Love, and Big Shirley
One of the funniest running gags about Cole on Martin show was his employment status—or lack thereof. Unlike Tommy, whose job was a total mystery, we actually saw Cole try. He cleaned airplanes. He worked at the airport. He was always "hustling," even if the hustle didn't always make sense.
And then there was his love life.
Who could forget Big Shirley? We never actually saw her on screen, which made the legend even bigger. The way Cole would talk about her—the passion, the fear, the sheer volume of woman he was dealing with—was comedic gold. It’s a testament to the writing that a character we never saw became one of the most memorable parts of the series.
Later on, we got Shanice. Now, Shanice made Cole look like a Rhodes Scholar. There's that classic scene where he introduces her to Martin and Gina, and she asks which one is which. It was pure, unadulterated 90s sitcom perfection.
The Fashion Icon We Didn't Deserve
We have to talk about the style. Cole Brown was a fashion pioneer in his own weird way. He wore things that nobody else could pull off.
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- The Hats: From oversized beanies to leather caps with the brim flipped up, his headwear was a character of its own.
- The Layers: Flannels over hoodies over graphic tees. It was the "Detroit Grunge" look before that was even a thing.
- The Color Palette: Cole wasn't afraid of a bright mustard yellow or a deep forest green.
Looking back, Cole was ahead of his time. Today, you see influencers on TikTok trying to replicate that "ironic 90s" look, but Cole was doing it organically because his mom probably bought it for him at a garage sale.
Why Cole Still Matters Today
There’s a reason why clips of Cole on Martin show still go viral on Instagram and Twitter (or X, whatever we're calling it now). In a world where TV characters are often too polished or too perfect, Cole was a mess. But he was our mess.
He reminded us that it’s okay to not have it all figured out. You can live with your mom, have a weird hobby involving birds, and still be the life of the party. He brought a sense of innocence to a show that could sometimes get pretty cynical.
Behind the scenes, things weren't always as funny as they looked on camera. There were well-documented tensions between Martin Lawrence and some of the cast members toward the end of the series. Carl Payne has been open about the fact that it wasn't always easy. But they made "magic in a bottle," as he puts it. They created a family that felt real to us, even if they were arguing half the time.
The Legacy of the "Stupid" Friend
The "dumb friend" trope is common in sitcoms, but Cole wasn't just a trope. He had specific quirks that made him human. His obsession with his "Rent-A-Center" furniture. His loyalty to Martin, even when Martin was being a complete jerk to him. The way he would say "You know what I'm sayin'?" with that specific inflection.
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It’s hard to imagine the 90s without him. When we lost Tommy Ford in 2016, it felt like a piece of our childhood was gone. It made the 2022 reunion special even more emotional. Seeing Carl Payne back with the cast, older and wiser but still carrying that Cole Brown energy, was a full-circle moment for fans.
If you're looking to revisit the best of Cole, start with the episode "The Cabin." The chemistry between the four of them (Martin, Gina, Tommy, and Cole) is at its peak. Or watch the episodes where Cole tries to start a business. It’s a masterclass in physical comedy and timing.
To truly appreciate the character, pay attention to the small things Carl Payne does. The facial expressions when he’s confused. The way he stands. The specific way he reacts to Martin’s insults. It’s not just about the lines; it’s about the soul of the character.
If you want to keep the 90s nostalgia going, the best thing to do is go back and watch the series from season one. Pay attention to how Cole evolves from just "the other friend" into a comedic powerhouse. You can find the show streaming on Max or BET+, and honestly, it holds up better than almost any other sitcom from that era. Grab some popcorn, put on your loudest 90s hat, and enjoy the genius of Cole Brown.