Martin & Carl Speak Out About “Good Friend,” Tommy’s Death

Posted On : October 13, 2016

As we all are still shocked and saddened at the sudden passing of actor, Tommy Mykhal Ford, best known for his role as “Tommy” on the Martin” sitcom, his friends/former “Martin” co-stars, actor/comedian, Martin Lawrence, and actor, Carl Anthony Payne II, spoke out about Tommy’s death. In case y’all didn’t know, Tommy and Martin go waaaaaay back, even before they were playing homeboys on the show, so Tommy’s death has understandably hit Martin hard. And Carl and Tommy remained good friends long after the show’s end in 1997.
tommy cole and martin
Here is what Martin posted on Instagram:

Martin also paid homage to Tommy with a second post on Instagram with this caption:

“My brother…we were friends way b4 the Martin show & I’m glad we were able to show true friendship on-screen,” he penned. “You brought a lot of love to the world and you will be greatly missed. God Bless to you and the family. Rest In Peace my brother. #TommyFord #Brotherforlife.”

Carl Anthony paid a touching tribute to his friend, Tommy on Instagram as well and ended his caption with a hashtag that was in the true comedic form, just like Tommy, even today, would have appreciated it:

To my brother, like no other, from another mother..I LOVE YOU AND I THANK GOD FOR SHARING HIS AMAZING GIFT….TOMMY FORD!! I WILL MISS YOU MY TRUE FRIEND..MAY YOUR LEGACY AND THE MEMORY OF YOUR LIGHT SHINE FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS. ..#HEGOTAJOBDAWG!!!!

tommy cole and martin2

Here’s an Old School fun fact about the true friendship of Tommy, Carl, and Martin in real life: Martin and Carl served as a groomsmen in Tommy’s wedding to his then wife, Gina Marie Sasso, in 1997. Tommy and Gina divorced in 2014 and have two children together. It was also Gina Sasso who gave the correct news of Tommy’s health status on Wednesday (8-12-2016) as reports were surfacing online about whether or not Tommy had passed away or was on life support at the time. Gina was by Tommy’s side during that saddened time.
Screen Shot 2016-10-13 at 9.37.40 AM
As far as recent news on Martin and Tommy’s friendship, in October 2015, they linked on Martin’s comedy tour, ‘Doin Time,’ which was probably the last time they’d been seen in public togethe. Their fans got a kick out of seeing them under the same roof again, just like it was on “Martin” when Martin used to tell Tommy “You ain’t got no job man!” LOL…gotta love the old school memories and ya’ gotta love Tommy Mykhal Ford for the many years he dedicated to making us laugh and the down to earth dude that he was in real life.

Screen Shot 2016-10-12 at 12.37.37 PM

He will be sorely missed. Rest on Tommy…great job while you were here brotha and we will never forget your legacy.

-ILoveOldSchoolMusic, old school news with a new point of view

About I Love Old School Music

We salute the incredible people and beautiful memories of that "old school". We’re not saying that every artist and every facet of the soul era was perfect, but the artists’ contributions to soul music and the old school memories of that particular time are PRICELESS.