Actor Tommy Ford (real name Thomas Mikal Ford), best known for the UPN sitcom The Parkers and the Fox comedy series Martin, has died at 52. He was taken off life support in an Atlanta hospital Wednesday afternoon after suffering from an ruptured aneurysm, according to TMZ.
Ford played best friend to Martin Lawrence’s radio and TV personality on Martin for all five seasons of the show, netting an NAACP Image Award nomination for his performance in 1996. Lawrence tweeted a photo of him and Ford following the news of his death.
Prayers up for my brother @BigTommyFord and his family. pic.twitter.com/yuh0nJvO1f
— Martin Lawrence (@realmartymar) October 12, 2016
On The Parkers, which ran from 1999 to 2004, Ford had a recurring role opposite Precious Oscar-winner Monique.
Other notable credits include the Fox 1990s drama New York Undercover, and the short-lived 1990s CBS sitcom Uncle Buck, based on the 1989 film of the same name starring John Candy. He also appeared on The Jamie Foxx Show in 1999.
From 2006 to 2009, Ford hosted TV One’s standup comedy competition show Who Got Jokes? alongside Bill Bellamy.
Most recently, he acted and produced a string of television films geared toward African American audiences: Blues for Life, Love Different, Every Family Has Problems, and Conflict of Interest.
Ford landed his first role on NBC’s A Different World after graduating from University of Southern California, where he majored in acting.
He’s survived by his wife, Gina Sasso.
