After graduating high school, he enrolled at New York University (NYU) on a sports scholarship, pursuing academics while playing basketball at the collegiate level. An African-American by ethnicity and a Christian by faith, Martin’s early years were marked by a strong dedication to sports and an emerging passion for acting.

Collegiate Athletics and NBA Aspirations

While attending NYU, Duane Martin played basketball in the NCAA Division III, contributing significantly to his team and capturing a few tournament titles. In 1989, following an impressive college basketball career, Martin was signed by the New York Knicks as an undrafted free agent. However, the contract was non-guaranteed, and without the support of a strong sports agent, he did not secure a spot on the team’s regular-season roster. Recognizing the limited prospects in professional basketball, Martin made the pivotal decision to transition to acting full-time.

Breakthrough in Acting

Martin began his acting career in 1990 with a minor role in the television pilot Moe's World. He followed this with a small appearance on the series Against the Law in 1991. His breakthrough came in 1992 when he was featured in CBS Schoolbreak Special, which helped him land his first film role in the well-known sports comedy White Men Can't Jump.

Building momentum, Martin was cast as a regular on the television series Out All Night (1992–1993), appearing in 20 episodes. His ability to portray diverse characters led to significant roles in both film and television, helping him establish a steady presence in the entertainment industry.

Film and Television Roles

Over the years, Duane Martin built a solid résumé of film and television work. Notable performances include his role as Jr. Phillips in the coming-of-age film The Inkwell (1994) and as Conrad "Rad" McRae in the action thriller Ride or Die (2003). He also appeared in several popular TV series such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1993, 1995), Between Brothers (1997), and Deliver Us from Eva (2003).

Martin gained further recognition for starring in the comedy series All of Us (2003–2007), co-created by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. He continued to make regular television appearances, including a role in The Paul Reiser Show (2011). Since 2013, he has been part of the comedic reality series Real Husbands of Hollywood, contributing to multiple episodes and earning praise for his performance.

Real Estate Business Endeavors

In addition to his acting career, Duane Martin is also an entrepreneur involved in real estate investment. While he is best known for his work in television and film, he has expanded his professional interests by pursuing business opportunities outside of Hollywood. His ventures into real estate have been a complement to his entertainment career, showcasing his versatility and financial acumen.

Personal Life and Family

Duane Martin married actress Tisha Campbell in 1996, not 1992 as sometimes misstated. The couple became one of Hollywood’s most recognized marriages and have two children together: Xen Martin, born in 2001, and Ezekiel Czar Martin, born in 2009, not 2010. Despite public attention on their relationship, the couple maintained a relatively low profile in the media for many years.

However, after more than two decades of marriage, Campbell filed for divorce in 2018, citing irreconcilable differences. Despite the end of their marriage, both have remained committed to co-parenting their children and maintaining respectful personal lives outside of their careers.