Martin Lawrence starting fresh, staying positive

Actor and comedian Martin Lawrence returns to stand-up comedy with fresh material after a five-year absence from the stage.

He began his newest show, "Doin’ Time," in August and is traveling across the country, performing in a handful of states such as Georgia, Indiana and New Jersey. He stops off in Hawaii for a show on Saturday at the Blaisdell Arena.

We caught up with the "Bad Boys" and "Martin" actor during a spate of shows Lawrence performed in Florida last weekend to find out what projects he is currently working on and what is new in his personal life.

These days find Lawrence, who has had brushes with controversy in the past, in a positive state of mind.

He had a show last Friday night in Miami; Saturday in Tampa, Fla.; and Sunday in Orlando, Fla. "Florida has been showing me tons of love," Lawrence said via email.

NEXT on his list: A script for "Bad Boys 3" is still in the works, according to Lawrence, who teased the project on the TV talk show "Conan" in 2014. "I am ready when everyone else is ready," he said.

Lawrence proved his box-office mettle in "Bad Boys" (1995, it grossed close to $66 million domestically) and its follow-up, "Bad Boys 2" (2003, it brought in more than $138 million), pairing up with Will Smith to star as sparring detectives. The first two films were produced by Michael Bay of "Transformer" fame.

Lawrence said he is also up for heading in a new direction as far as film goes. Though he may be better known for comedies such as "Big Momma’s House" and "House Party," he also has starred in more serious fare such as "Life" and "Do the Right Thing."

"I would like to do something a little different," he said. "I, of course, like comedies and films with heart, but a drama could be cool. … I am looking at maybe doing a Christmas movie."

Of the comedy-drama "Life," in which he starred with Eddie Murphy, Lawrence said that experience "was real special to me, since Eddie was someone I looked up to and to make a movie with him was a real treat."

EVEN IF Lawrence is not a household name to you, you might remember him at his zenith in the 1990s — and perhaps his subsequent fall(s).

In May 1996, he was arrested and hospitalized after brandishing a pistol in the middle of a busy street in Los Angeles.

In 1997, Lawrence’s "Martin" co-star, Tisha Campbell-Martin, filed a lawsuit against him and the show’s producers, alleging sexual harassment among other charges. The suit was settled out of court on the condition that she would not appear in scenes with Lawrence during the final year of production.

In 1999, Lawrence fell into a three-day coma after collapsing in 100-degree heat while jogging in a plastic suit.

For his part, Lawrence said, "I have talked about all of this and then some in my concert film ‘You So Crazy’ and how the media misrepresented or covered parts of my life differently than what may have happened.

"I think that when I was in a coma, it was God’s way of telling me to slow down for a bit. I think as people, we always evolve and learn, and I am not ashamed or embarrassed about how I have lived or how I live. And I talk about that in my comedy."

SPEAKING OF comedy, Lawrence was never one to hold back on his TV show "Martin" (1992-1997), in which he played a too-confident radio talk-show host. He is the same way, if not more so, in his stand-up routine.

"My humor is blue," Lawrence said. "I think when you are onstage, you are more free since you get that instant gratification and feedback from the audience that is right there in it with you. Film is different. It’s a process and a bit safer, depending on the material, since you get a bunch of time to do scenes."

Lawrence gives credit to his fans — referred to as TeamMartyMar — for keeping his career moving. "My fans are always really good to me and loyal to the core," he said.

This year, he launched his own new app, called Runteldat. On it, fans interact with him and ask questions or submit art, getting "Martinized," as he calls it.

"It’s an online community where I can get up close and personal with the people that have been with me through the years," he said.

FAMILY, TOO, is important to him. Lawrence said he revels in his family time.

"Success to me is being a great father, being there for my girls and being an active part in their life," he said. "I am also happy and healthy and in a great relationship, so that’s cool."