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Martin Star Tommy Ford Dead at 52

ASPiRE Premiere Screening of
Tommy Ford Photo: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ASPiRE TV

Tommy Ford, star of the ‘90s television series Martin, is dead at 52. Earlier reports stated that the actor was on life support at an Atlanta hospital after suffering a ruptured aneurysm on Sunday. Tommy Ford played the beloved character “Tommy” on all five seasons of Martin, Martin Lawrence’s influential Fox sitcom, which aired from 1992 to 1997. Shortly after his passing, news of Ford’s death overtook Twitter, with celebrities and fans alike paying their respects. Among those posting remembrances is his former co-star and decades-long friend, Lawrence, who had this to say on Instagram: “My brother…we were friends way b4 the Martin show & I’m glad we were able to show true friendship on-screen. You brought a lot of love to the world and you will be greatly missed. God Bless to you and the family. Rest In Peace my brother. #TommyFord #Brotherforlife”

Update: Ford’s agent confirmed to People that the actor has in fact passed away, and his family released a statement to the publication that read, “It is with great sadness that we announce the untimely passing of our beloved Son, father, brother, husband, and friend Tommy Mykhal Ford. On behalf of the family, we would like to thank everyone for their love, support and prayers. Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming. Please respect the privacy of the Ford family during our time of grief.”