After the Cosby Show, the African-American community was in search of a show that could reach the masses but still appeal to the new generation. While Bill Cosby was the clean-cut family guy on TV, each network was in search of the “new guy”  to lead the next charge. Little did anyone know that an unknown comedian who got his break on What’s Happening Now would be that face.

Martin Lawrence took his new show Martin to the top of the mountain with his persona, characters, and jokes that made Cosby Show look like Punky Brewster regarding laughs. With Martin leading the way, he was joined by others such as Tommy, Cole, Pam, and his girlfriend Gina. Here are the top 10 Martin characters.

Mama Payne

The lady with the mustache. That’s the best way to describe Mama Payne. While Martin always wanted to prove that he was a manly-man, when his mother came around, he was just another momma’s boy. This would drive Gina crazy as Martin would put his mother on a pedestal in which she could not be knocked off.

Despite a solid relationship, Mama Payne did not like Gina for various reasons. The two of them would go at each other which made for hilarious moments. Mama Payne loved to play the numbers and go to church. Besides her mustache, Mama Payne was best known for her biscuits which Gina could never master in the kitchen.

Roscoe

The kid who lived next door to Gina with the snotty nose and the smart mouth. Roscoe was always trying to hustle something and when he didn’t get his way he often came with the insults. On sheer enjoyment alone, Roscoe could have easily been a character deserving of more screen time on Martin. Martin Lawrence played plenty of characters on the show but posing as a 10-year old boy was pure genius.

Roscoe had some great moment, but they were often cut short with a door slam or a go home Roscoe. If only they could have had expanded his role, Roscoe could have been as big as Jerome or Sheneneh.

Bruh-Man

Bruh-Man from the 5th floor still can cause the casual Martin fan to burst out in laughter. How many times did Martin come home to see Bruh-Man in his kitchen? If he wasn’t there, he was infamous for climbing through the window and making himself at home. He was one of those guys you wish had more screen time but with so many characters, it was hard to fit him in continuously for just a 30-minute show.

Not a character with plenty of lines but his presence was felt throughout the series. The head nod on his way back out to the fire escape was just as classic as him putting up 4 fingers when saying he’s from the 5th floor.

Gina Waters-Payne

Martin’s girlfriend and the other half of the dynamic duo. Where would Martin be without his professional, yet down to earth woman? Without Gina, Martin would be just another basic fly by the night comedy show. She brought so much energy to the screen and was able to play off Martin’s jokes better than most of the cast members.

She knew she had a good man and was willing to do whatever it took, even if that meant walking away from him to realize how good she was. But Gina was not without the humor either. As quick as Martin was with his jokes, Gina was right there with her snappy comebacks. One of the best females leads in Primetime TV history.

Tommy Strawn

Did he or didn’t he? Did Tommy actually have a job and if he did, was it legit? That’s been the main question that Martin fans have yet to figure out. Tommy was always dressed in the best clothes, had money, but yet, no one knew where he worked. One of the greatest mysteries in modern TV. Tommy, Martin,, and Cole were childhood friends who still managed to keep that dynamic intact years later.

Tommy always had his boys back and for a short time, he dated Pam and that was all Martin needed to unleash the hounds on him every chance he could. His punchline “dawg” is still one of the funniest ever written for TV.

Sheneneh Jenkins

The neighbor from across the hall may have stolen each scene she was in no matter the cast member. The loud, brash, and uniquely dressed Sheneneh has earned the right to be mentioned with some of the best characters in comedic history. Although played by Martin Lawrence himself, he was able to give her a personality that even Tyler Perry couldn’t provide Madea with.

Her dislike for Gina and Pam often led to many hilarious confrontations in the hallway. Martin was too good for Gina according to Sheneneh and she was willing to bet that she was woman enough for him. She owned her own Salon and loved to rock any color fanny-pack.

Cole Brown

If you’re looking for that friend who takes 10 minutes to make minute rice, Cole is that guy. Not too many jokes come out of the mouth as Cole was often the butt of the jokes. Cole was the lover of big women and the constant comedy target of his friends for staying true to who he was.

As a grown man who lived with his mother and drove a Pacer, Cole could not manage to get out of his own way. But still, even with his faults, Cole’s character was essential to the success of the show. The same way Joey is viewed from Friends, that’s exactly what Cole was for Martin. The goofball, but the show couldn’t work without him.

Pam James

Gina’s co-worker and best friend who was the main target for the majority of Martin’s jokes. But Pam was on another level than Gina when it came to comebacks. To this day, I still believe the writers messed up the pairing and should have had Pam and Martin as the main couple with Gina on the opposite end.

Pam was smart, sexy, and so quick with the wit, she could have had her own show. She didn’t back down from anyone and was just as much the girl from the neighborhood, if not more than Gina was. A classic character who didn’t get all the respect she deserved.

Jerome

It’s hard to pick and choose without someone getting mad that their favorite character was either left off the list or put too low. With Jerome, this may be one of those cases. He wasn’t a regular like Martin or Gina but when Jerome hit the screen, he took command. He was the old school playa who forgot his time has come and gone.

His clothes were a flashback to the ’70s and his humor was unmatched. Adding Jerome to the list was just as easy as placing any of the other characters on here. “I said Jerome’s in the house”.

Martin Payne

The star of the show and the one where all the laughs begin and end. Martin is the guy from around the way who fought for his dream to be on the radio. His one-liners are legendary and his temper is just as snappy. Short in stature, Martin more than makes up for it with his heart.

He’s loyal to his friends, except when he’s kicking them out of his apartment. Hard-headed? Yes, he is, but that’s what’s makes him stand out from the rest of the cast. You never have to question who the leader of the bunch is when Martin is on screen with them.

Next: Where Are They Now? The Cast of The Cosby Show