In January 1997, actress Tisha Campbell filed a lawsuit against Martin Lawrence alleging repeated sexual harassment, sexual battery, verbal abuse, and threats during the production of the Fox sitcom Martin. The Tisha Campbell vs. Martin Lawrence lawsuit also named HBO Independent Productions and two of its executives, and it was resolved through a confidential out-of-court settlement in April 1997. Campbell returned to film a handful of closing episodes under the condition that she and Lawrence never share a set, and the series ended weeks later.
What Campbell Alleged
Campbell’s filing described what it called an “obsessive campaign” of physical and emotional abuse by Lawrence stretching back through the show’s run. According to the complaint, when cameras were not rolling Lawrence would grope her, kiss her, force his tongue into her mouth, and simulate intercourse in front of cast and crew.1Roanoke Times. Martin Co-Star Files Lawsuit Campbell said she had asked the writers to cut scenes that required her and Lawrence to be in bed together because he would “excessively grope” her and use his tongue while kissing despite her requests that he stop.2Yahoo Entertainment. Tisha Campbell on Forgiving and Reconnecting With Martin Lawrence
The suit also described “uncontrollable fits of rage,” threats to fire cast and crew, and threats to Campbell’s physical safety. Campbell said the stress of Lawrence’s behavior led to her hospitalization during the show’s third season. The filing pointed to a November 22, 1996, incident as Lawrence’s “most hysterical outburst to date,” involving a physical confrontation with another cast member and an outburst directed at Campbell that the complaint said left her “terrified and concerned for her safety.”1Roanoke Times. Martin Co-Star Files Lawsuit Campbell walked off the set that month, and her last episode as Gina aired December 19, 1996.3Los Angeles Times. Martin Co-Star Files Suit Alleging Harassment
Who Else Was Named, and How the Case Was Filed
Beyond Lawrence, Campbell’s suit named HBO Independent Productions and two HBO executives, Chris Albrecht and Christopher Schwartz, alleging they had “long-standing knowledge” of how Lawrence treated her and had failed to intervene.4Tampa Bay Times. Former Martin Co-Star Alleges Abuse in Lawsuit
Procedurally, Campbell’s filing was a counterclaim. HBO had sued her first, seeking to force her back to work pending union arbitration after she left the set. U.S. District Judge Audrey Collins denied HBO’s request for a temporary restraining order against Campbell in December 1996, and Campbell’s harassment claims followed weeks later.3Los Angeles Times. Martin Co-Star Files Suit Alleging Harassment
Lawrence’s Denial and HBO’s Response
Lawrence denied every allegation. In a statement at the time, he called the claims “without merit” and described himself as a “pawn in a contract dispute between Campbell and HBO,” adding that he had been Campbell’s “champion and protector.”4Tampa Bay Times. Former Martin Co-Star Alleges Abuse in Lawsuit
Campbell’s attorney, Kurt Peterson, rejected the contract-dispute framing, saying Campbell’s financial terms for that season had been “agreed to quickly and amicably” before the trouble started. HBO said only, “We responded to Tisha Campbell’s concerns as soon as we heard about them.”1Roanoke Times. Martin Co-Star Files Lawsuit
What Happened to the Show
Two episodes were produced in Campbell’s absence, with her character written out as being on a romantic cruise where Gina “misses the boat.”3Los Angeles Times. Martin Co-Star Files Suit Alleging Harassment After the settlement, Campbell agreed to return for two or three final episodes on strict conditions: she and Lawrence would never be on set together or appear in the same scene.5Andscape. Martin Lawrence’s Martin 20 Years Later The show, which had always shot in front of a live studio audience, taped those final episodes without one.6Los Angeles Times. Campbell Returns to Wrap Up Martin
The series finale aired on May 1, 1997. Ratings had slipped to a 5.3 household rating the previous week, the show’s lowest in more than two years.7Variety. Fox’s Martin Winds Down 5-Season Run Lawrence publicly framed the ending as his own decision, saying he wanted to focus on his film career.8Los Angeles Times. Martin Wraps Up Final Season
The Settlement
The parties reached an out-of-court settlement in April 1997. Their joint statement said only that “all parties have resolved their differences.”9The Oklahoman. Martin Co-Star’s Lawsuit Settled The financial terms and conditions were kept confidential. Campbell has since described the agreement as including what she called a “gag order” barring her from discussing the details.10People. Martin Lawrence and Tisha Campbell Address Sexual Harassment Lawsuit No public trial or judgment ever came out of the case, and the specifics of what Lawrence did or did not do have never been tested in court.
How the Two Have Talked About It Since
Neither Campbell nor Lawrence said much publicly for more than twenty years. In a January 2020 GQ interview, Lawrence addressed the allegations directly: “None of that was true. It was all a lot of bullshit.” He said he chose to end the show rather than keep working under the dispute, and added of Campbell, “I love Tisha. I’ve seen her then and now, now and then, always with nothing but love.”11GQ. Martin Lawrence GQ Interview Campbell said she was “shocked” by his characterization but did not relitigate the matter publicly.12Revolt. Tisha Campbell Shocked by Martin’s Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Comments
The two reunited on camera for Martin: The Reunion, a 90-minute BET+ special that premiered June 16, 2022 with original cast members Tichina Arnold and Carl Anthony Payne II. Ahead of the special, Campbell told CBS Mornings: “We worked really hard to reconnect, to forgive, and this reunion is about a celebration of everything that we did, everything that we accomplished, and our growth as human beings.”13Vibe. Tisha Campbell Martin Show Reunion CBS Mornings Interview
In a March 2026 interview, Campbell said: “Never have I ever said a bad, unkind thing about the show, about Martin Lawrence, and I never will. I will protect him till the day I die. That person needs protection, and I will protect him till I die.”14WBLS. Tisha Campbell Shares Why She Will Always Protect Martin Lawrence The 1997 confidentiality agreement remains in effect, and Campbell has continued to decline to discuss the specific allegations in her original complaint.