Thomas Ford, the actor who played Martin Lawrence’s best friend Tommy Strawn on the hit ’90s sitcom Martin, died Wednesday in Atlanta. He was 52.
The actor played the level-headed pal of Lawrence on Martin for the show’s entire five-year run. One running joke was his not having a job, prompting the catch phrase: “You don’t got no job, Tommy!”
“It is with great sadness that we announce the untimely passing of our beloved Son, father, brother, husband, and friend Tommy Mykal Ford,” the family said in a statement. “On behalf of the family, we would like to thank everyone for their love, support and prayers.”
Family spokeswoman Joy Pervis confirmed Ford’s death but gave no cause.
Ford had other TV parts, notable as Lt. Malcolm Barker on Fox’s New York Undercover and as Mel Parker on UPN’s The Parkers as well as playing the Pope of Comedy on TV One’s Who’s Got Jokes with Bill Bellamy.