Thomas Mikal Ford
Tommie Mikal Ford (September 5, 1964 – October 12, 2016) was an Americanactor best known for his role as Tommy Strawn in the sitcom Martin[2] and for his recurring role as Mel Parker in the UPNsitcom The Parkers.
Early life and education
Ford was born in Los Angeles[1] and raised in Long Beach, California.[3] His mother worked as a school secretary and his father as a pipe-fitter.
As a child, Ford wanted to be a preacher. When he took drama lessons and started acting in high school plays, he decided to go into acting instead.[4]After earning Associate of Arts degree from Long Beach City College in 1985,[5]Ford transferred to the University of Southern California, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in acting.[4]
Career
In Martin, Ford played Tommy Strawn who was, at times, the straight man forMartin Lawrence's jokes, but he very often inserted scene-stealing "bald-headed logic" and witty comments in odd situations. Also, his character was often the subject of many jokes regarding his mysterious employment status, though Tisha Campbell-Martinrevealed he was a counselor and presumably unemployed after Ford complained that his character lacked development.[citation needed] Ford received an NAACP Image Awards nomination in 1996 in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.[citation needed]
After Martin ended, Ford found success in the detective drama New York Undercover as Lieutenant Malcolm Barker.[6] He appeared on the UPNsitcom The Parkers[7] in the recurring role of Nikki's ex-husband and Kim's father, Mel Parker, in seven episodes. He played Ben Cummings in The Power of Passion as one of the characters whose wife cheats on him with the pastor.[citation needed][when?] He was also known as "The Pope of Comedy", due to exposure as a judge on TV One's comedy competition show Bill Bellamy's Who's Got Jokes?[1]
In feature films, Ford appeared in the Kid 'n Play movie Class Act as "Mink".[3] InHarlem Nights, he played Tommy Smalls, the brother of Arsenio Hall's character.[8] He was seen in the crime drama Against the Law (1997).
In 1993, Ford directed and produced the play South of Where We Live, about six African-American professionals who return to the communities where they were raised and learn about the social issues that now exist.[9] The play was performed at the Los Angeles Ebony Showcase Theatre, the oldest black theater in the country.[3] Ford chose the Ebony Showcase in order to raise money for the theater, which was in danger of closing.[3] The same year, he directed the play Jonin', a comedy about fraternity life at a historically black college in Washington, D.C.[10]
Ford co-hosted the Texas Gospel Music Awards in 1993 with singer Yolanda Adams and actor Troy Curvey.[11]
In 1998, Ford founded a 501(c)(3)nonprofit organization called Be Still and Know.[12][13][14] The organization's mission was to build better communities for youth.[1][15]
Ford wrote two inspirational books for children, titled Positive Attitude and I am Responsible for Me.[16][17] Ford spent time traveling to schools to inspire and empower children, and encourage responsibility.[18][19][20] In June 2016, Ford directed a documentary on bullying, entitled Through My Lens Atl; it aired in October 2016, on Aspire TV.[citation needed]
Personal life
Death
Major roles in television and film
- Harlem Nights (1989) as Tommy Smalls
- Nasty Boys (1989) as Pay Day
- A Different World (1989) as Lamar
- Uncle Buck (1990) as Rafer Freeman
- The Flash (1991) as Elliot Cotrell
- Class Act (1992) as Mink
- Martin (1992–1997) as Tommy Strawn
- Living Single (1993) as Michael Edwards
- New York Undercover (1998–1999) as Lt. Malcolm Barker
- The Jamie Foxx Show (1999) as Marcus
- The Parkers (1999–2001) as Mel Parker
- Who's Got Jokes? (2006–2008) as Pope of Comedy
- Let's Stay Together (2011) as the Reverend
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