Duane Martin was born in 1965 in Brooklyn, New York — a place that would later shape much of his early life and career path. From a young age, Duane Martin showed a strong passion for sports, excelling as an athlete throughout his youth. That drive eventually led him to New York University, where he played NCAA Division III basketball. After graduating in 1989, Duane Martin got a shot at turning pro when he was signed — albeit briefly — as an undrafted free agent by the New York Knicks on a non-guaranteed contract. Unfortunately, he was cut before appearing in any official games, marking the end of his NBA dreams.
But as one door closed, another opened. Instead of pursuing a career in professional sports, Duane Martin decided to follow a different dream — acting. And honestly, things moved pretty quickly from there. Almost right after shifting gears, he landed his first on-screen role in the pilot for a series titled “Moe’s World” (ABC, 1990). Though the show wasn’t picked up, the pilot aired as a TV movie, giving Duane Martin his first real taste of screen time.
His big break came a couple of years later with the hit film “White Men Can’t Jump” (1992), where Duane Martin not only acted but also used his athletic background to help co-stars Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson bring more authenticity to their basketball scenes. That role helped solidify his presence in Hollywood. Soon after, Duane Martin joined the cast of the sitcom “Out All Night” (NBC, 1992–93), further expanding his resume.
In 1994, he starred alongside the legendary Tupac Shakur in the cult classic “Above the Rim,” a performance that many still remember today. Fast forward to the 2000s, and Duane Martin became a familiar face on television again, co-starring for four seasons on the CW series “All of Us” (2003–07). Then, in 2017, he delivered a standout performance in the BET miniseries “The New Edition Story,” where he portrayed Louil Silas with such depth and charisma that audiences couldn’t help but take notice. Throughout it all, Duane Martin has continued to evolve — proving time and again that perseverance and versatility can define a lasting career.
When it comes to Duane Martin’s career highlights, one standout moment definitely comes from his role in Scream 2 (1997), which remains Duane Martin’s highest-rated film to date. Critics and audiences alike responded positively to his performance, giving the movie strong marks across the board. On the other hand, Duane Martin was also part of The Groomsmen (2001), a project that didn’t resonate as well with viewers or reviewers—making it Duane Martin’s lowest-rated film so far. While Duane Martin has taken on a variety of roles throughout his career, these two titles represent the upper and lower ends of the spectrum in terms of critical reception. Still, Duane Martin continues to be recognized for his contributions to film, even as opinions vary on specific projects like these.