Comedian Martin Lawrence is returning to Chicago as part of his ongoing “Y’all Still Know What It Is!” tour, with a scheduled performance on September 25 at the Arie Crown Theater. Though Chicago is not the opening stop on the tour, Lawrence emphasized the city’s importance in his career, crediting it for helping him gain recognition early on.
Lawrence’s breakthrough came in 1991 with an episode of HBO’s stand-up series “One Night Stand,” filmed at the Vic Theatre in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. Since then, he has maintained a prominent presence in comedy, film, and television. He attributes his ability to develop new material to a disciplined process involving collaboration with writers, testing sketches in intimate venues such as The Comedy Store, and refining content over several weeks until it forms a cohesive routine. Rejecting political and topical humor, Lawrence focuses on delivering comedy that provides audiences with a temporary escape.
After a hiatus from touring that lasted several years, Lawrence returned to the road in 2024, motivated by his passion for live performance and connecting with audiences, particularly during difficult times. He began his career in the late 1980s, gaining early visibility through an appearance on “Star Search” in 1987, which led to a role on the ABC sitcom “What’s Happening Now!!” His rise continued as host of HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam” starting in 1989, a platform credited with launching the careers of comedians like Jamie Foxx and Mo’Nique.
Throughout his career, Lawrence has also supported emerging comedic talent. In 2026, he produced “Pass Tha’ Mic,” a stand-up competition aimed at discovering and promoting new voices in comedy. The series, hosted by Jo Koy and recorded in front of a live audience, is currently in search of distribution.
Lawrence’s television legacy includes the long-running Fox sitcom “Martin,” which debuted in 1992 and ran for five seasons. The show, noted for Lawrence’s portrayal of multiple characters, remains influential, inspiring a 2026 spinoff titled “The Varnell Hill Show” on Paramount+, featuring original cast member Tommy Davidson.
In addition to television, Lawrence has found significant success in film. The “Bad Boys” franchise, co-starring Will Smith, has generated over $1 billion globally and expanded to four films and a television adaptation. His role in the “Big Momma’s House” trilogy also stands out as a major part of his filmography. More recently, he provided a voice role for the 2025 animated film “Sneaks” and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2023.
Looking ahead, Lawrence plans to record and release his current tour show after further developing it, citing the need for live audience interaction as essential to the process. His Chicago performance is scheduled for 8 p.m. on September 25 at the Arie Crown Theater, with tickets available through the venue’s website.