Arguably the most popular and successful black comedian of the mid-1990s (and the man who first popularized the expression "Wassup?"), Martin Lawrence began his career doing stand-up on the Washington, DC circuit before moving briefly to New York City where, among his venues, he worked the crowds at Washington Square Park. ("I figured if I could grab these people's attention, I could make anyone laugh.") His fellow co-workers at a Sears in Queens included Salt-N-Pepa and future co-stars Kid 'N' Play, but he returned to Maryland after being robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight while employed as
