"You ain't got no job, Tommy!" If you were a true fan of the hit 1990's show Martin, then you have definitely heard that quote. Martin was a show based on the life of Martin Payne, who was played by Martin Lawrence, who resided in Detroit, Michigan with his longtime girlfriend, Gina Waters, and his best friends. The five main characters you probably remember are Martin of course, Gina, Pam who is Gina's best friend, and Cole and Tommy, Martin's best friends. Each character had their own unique personality. Martin worked at the local radio station WZUP. Deep down, he was a sweetheart and loved his friends and family, but you would see it really come out when a crazy situation came out. Martin loved his girlfriend/wife Gina Waters (Tisha Campbell-Martin). Gina worked for a public relations firm. She was a loving and forgiving girlfriend, but she did not play games whatsoever. Then we have Pam (Tichina Arnold), Gina's best friend. Pam worked as Gina's assistant and also plays no games. Martin and Pam's friendship was clapback after clapback. Whenever Martin had an insult to Pam, she had one ready to fire. You also have Cole (Carl Anthony Payne II) and Tommy (Thomas Mikal Ford). Cole was kind of ditzy, but had a big heart. He was always trying to find a good woman, and worked at the airport cleaning jets.
Then we have Tommy. Tommy was super funny, sweet, and level-headed just like Gina. Tommy did go to college, but if you really watched Martin, you know you have no idea if Tommy had a job. Nobody knows! There would be scenes in different episodes where Tommy might say "Well, that's the game! Time to go to work." Martin would probably reply with "Tommy...YOU AIN'T GOT NO JOB!" Still to this day, we are wondering what on earth did Tommy do or where did he work at all.
To be honest, I loved Cole, but I seriously loved Tommy. Tommy was funny for no reason, and he didn't have to try. He was smart, charming, and he helped with peacemaking within the friend circle. He was the instigator, but he could always bring the situation back down to earth. He would always have his friends backs and didn't mind showing emotion. Some of my favorite episodes is when he began to date Pam and they found out they wouldn't work out but could still remain good friends. I feel like if I had a Tommy in real life, he would definitely be my best friend.
Tommy was played by Thomas Mikal Ford. Ford was born in New York and raised in California. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Acting. He was known most for his role as Tommy on Martin, but was also known as an actor, director, and producer. He starred in many television shows such as A Different World, The Parkers, The Jamie Foxx Show, and New York Undercover.
It broke my heart when one of my good friends texted me and said Tommy from Martin had passed away. Thomas Mikal Ford passed on October 12, 2016 at an Atlanta hospital after an aneurysm in his stomach ruptured. Different celebrities took to social media to pay their respects to their longtime friend.
Ford made an impact on my life while I watched Martin. I feel like we all have a lot of the characters within us. We all have that side where we joke like Martin, we're sweet and forgiving like Gina, don't play games like Pam, have our brain farts like Cole, or we're sensible and funny like Tommy. Ford was a great actor, and I will remember all of the funny moments from Martin, especially "GTD"! Please keep the cast of Martin or any show that Ford was on, his family, and friends in your prayers. We lost a true gem this month.
Rest in peace, Thomas Mikal Ford; I think you finally found yourself a good job.
