You’ve probably typed the name into a search bar and ended up a little confused. Honestly, it happens to the best of us. If you’re looking for the guy from Above the Rim or the star of All of Us, you’re actually looking for Duane Martin. But because English is a nightmare and "Dwayne" is the more common spelling (thanks, The Rock), thousands of people search for Dwayne Martin every single month.
Names matter. Especially when you’re trying to track down a career that spans from the NBA to sitcom royalty.
So, who is the man behind the search? Usually, when people ask "who is Dwayne Martin," they are looking for the New York-born powerhouse who became a staple of 90s and 2000s Black cinema. But there’s also a real-life coach, a Vietnam hero, and a rising college athlete who share the name.
Let's clear the air and look at the real stories.
The Actor Everyone Is Actually Searching For
The most famous "Dwayne" is, ironically, a Duane. Born in Brooklyn back in 1965, Duane Martin is the guy you remember from basically every iconic movie of your childhood if you grew up in the 90s.
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He didn't start in a theater. He started on the court.
Martin was a standout basketball player at New York University (NYU). He was so good, in fact, that he signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Knicks in 1989. He didn't make the final cut for the regular season, but that athletic background became his "secret sauce" in Hollywood.
Think about White Men Can't Jump. Or Above the Rim.
He wasn't just some actor faking a jumper; he was a legitimate hooper who could hang with the best of them.
Why He Still Matters in 2026
Duane (often searched as Dwayne Martin) hasn't just sat around. He’s been a mogul. He co-created the sitcom All of Us with Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. He starred in L.A.’s Finest. He even played himself in the hilarious Real Husbands of Hollywood.
But lately, the name has been in the headlines for more personal reasons. His high-profile divorce from actress Tisha Campbell was messy. It was public. It involved bankruptcy filings and some pretty wild allegations that kept the tabloids fed for years. Even so, he’s moved on—recently getting engaged to model Ashley Marie Jones.
The Other Dwayne Martins You Should Know
Life isn't just about Hollywood. If you aren't looking for the actor, you’re likely looking for one of these three men who have made some serious noise in their respective fields.
1. Coach Dwayne Martin (West Virginia Wesleyan)
If you follow college football, this is a name that likely popped up in your feed recently. Up until late 2025, Dwayne Martin was the head coach at West Virginia Wesleyan College.
Running a DII program isn't for the faint of heart. Martin spent years there, but in November 2025, the school announced they were moving in a "new direction." It was a clean sweep—the school didn't just let him go; they cleared out the whole coaching staff. It’s a tough business.
2. Duane Martin: The Louisville Tight End
Then there’s the young gun. Duane Martin is currently a senior tight end for the Louisville Cardinals.
He’s a big dude—6’2”, around 260 pounds. He’s from Laurens, South Carolina, and he’s been a consistent part of the Cardinals' roster for years. Interestingly, he’s a "STEM Scholar-Athlete." That means he’s not just catching passes; he’s crushing it in exercise science. He’s the kind of player who might not get the flashy 200-yard games, but he’s the backbone of the blocking scheme.
3. The Hero: Captain Duane W. Martin
For the history buffs, this is the most poignant entry. Captain Duane Whitney Martin was an Air Force pilot during the Vietnam War.
He was captured and became a POW. His story is legendary because he escaped a Lao prison camp alongside Dieter Dengler. Their story was actually turned into a movie called Rescue Dawn, where Steve Zahn played Martin. Sadly, Duane didn't make it home; he was killed by a villager during their escape attempt.
Why the Confusion Happens
It’s basically a "Mandela Effect" situation.
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Because of Dwayne Wade and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, our brains are hardwired to put that "y" in the middle of the name. When you search for Dwayne Martin, Google knows what you mean, but it can lead you down a rabbit hole of different people.
- Duane Martin (Actor): Basketball player turned Hollywood star.
- Dwayne Martin (Coach): The former West Virginia Wesleyan head man.
- Duane Martin (Athlete): The Louisville football player.
- Dwayne Martin (Legal): There’s even a federal case (USA v. Dwayne Martin) from 2022 involving a motion to suppress evidence in Nevada.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception? That the actor "disappeared."
People often think that because he isn't in a blockbuster every summer, he’s retired. Not even close. Duane Martin has shifted heavily into production and sports management. He’s one of the guys behind the scenes making deals. He’s been a mentor to younger actors and athletes, using that Knicks experience and his NYU degree to navigate the business side of fame.
Also, despite the rumors, he and Will Smith are still reportedly close friends, despite the various "exposé" videos you might see on YouTube that try to claim otherwise for clicks.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Search
If you’re trying to find specific info on any of these men, here is how you should actually be searching:
- For the Actor: Search "Duane Martin" (with a U). Add "Above the Rim" or "All of Us" to filter out the noise.
- For the Coach: Search "Dwayne Martin West Virginia Wesleyan" to see where he might land for the 2026 season.
- For the Football Player: Use "Duane Martin Louisville" to get his latest stats or draft prospects.
- For the Hero: Search "Captain Duane W. Martin" or "Rescue Dawn real story."
Knowing which Dwayne Martin you’re looking for saves you about twenty minutes of clicking through Wikipedia pages that don't match. Whether it's the Hollywood vet or the college tight end, each of these men has a legacy that stands on its own.
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Keep the spelling in mind—it's the difference between finding a box office hit and a box score.