Childhood & Early Life
Ford was born Tommy Lamont Ford, on September 5, 1964, in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
He was of African–American descent. His father worked as a plumber, and his mother was a school secretary. He grew up in Long Beach, California.
Ford aspired to be a priest during his childhood. However, in high school, he attended drama classes and began to perform in school plays. Ford soon changed his mind and decided to pursue a career in acting.
In 1985, he acquired an 'Associate of Arts' degree from the 'Long Beach City College' in Long Beach.
His academic performance got him transferred to the 'University of Southern California,' Los Angeles, California. There, he earned his BFA degree in acting.
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Career
In 1985 and 1987, he appeared in insignificant roles in the short film 'Deathly Realities' and the sitcom 'Kate & Allie,' respectively.
He appeared in an episode of the TV series 'A Different World,' titled 'The Thing About Women,' in 1989. The same year, he appeared in two movies: Nasty Boys' (released to TV) and 'Harlem Nights' (a feature film).
The year 1990 kept him busy, as he was engaged in multiple projects that year. He appeared in two movies: the American crime film 'Q & A' and the drama 'Across the Tracks.' He was also part of TV series such as 'Singer & Sons,' 'Uncle Buck,' 'Equal Justice,' and 'Law & Order.'
In 1991, he appeared in the romantic comedy 'The Butcher's Wife' and on the TV shows 'The Flash,' ‘Baby Talk,' 'Veronica Clare,' and 'MacGyver.'
His breakthrough role was that of 'Thomas "Tommy" Strawn' in the hit 1992 sitcom 'Martin,' which was aired until 1997. In 1996, he was nominated for the 'NAACP Image Award' for 'Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series,’ for the same role.
In 1992, he was part of three movies: the comedies 'Brain Donors' and 'Class Act' and the neo-noir crime drama 'Night and the City.'
In 1993, he was cast in an episode of the sitcom 'Living Single,' titled ‘'Whose Date is it Anyway?,' and in two movies: the crime drama 'A Bronx Tale' and the romantic drama 'Mr. Jones.'
The same year, he produced and directed the play 'South of Where We Live' and staged it at 'Ebony Showcase Theater' to raise funds for the ailing theater industry. He directed another play, titled 'Jonin,’ that year.
He was one of the hosts of the 'Texas Gospel Music Awards' in 1993.
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Between 1994 and 1997, other than reprising his role in 'Martin,' he appeared in 'The Kangaroo' and 'Against the Law.'
With the end of 'Martin' in 1997, he found time to test his acting skills and took up the role of ‘Lt. Malcolm Barker’ in the police procedural 'New York Undercover' in its fourth and final seasons, in 1998 and 1999, respectively. This role was critically acclaimed.
He returned to sitcoms in 1999, appearing as 'Mel Parker' in 'The Parkers,' a spin-off of 'Moesha, The Parkers.' He was associated with the series for three seasons, until 2001. It was another popular character of his. In 1999, he appeared on 'The Jamie Foxx Show.'
From 2000 to 2005, other than 'The Parkers,' he appeared in 'The Pretender' (2000), ‘His Woman, His Wife' (2000), ‘Judging Amy' (2001), 'The Proud Family' (2002), 'He Say… She Say… But What Does God Say?' (2004), 'On the Low' (2005), and 'Hitched’ (2005).
In 2006, he tried something new. He appeared as the 'Pope of Comedy' in the stand-up comedy competition 'Bill Bellamy's Who's Got Jokes?,' which was aired on 'TV One.' He stayed with the show until 2008.
In 2007 and 2008, he had two projects each, in addition to 'Billy Bellamy's Who's Got Jokes?' While 2007 saw him appear in 'City Teacher' and 'House M.D,' in the year 2008, he was seen in 'The Club' and 'Stitches.'
Between 2009 and 2011, he appeared in 'Love Ain't Suppose to Hurt 2: The Wedding,' 'Lens on Talent,' 'Baby Mama's Club.' 'Let's Stay Together,' and 'Templeton Pride.'
In 2012, with 'Boulevard West,' he ventured into production and direction. The same year, he worked as the assistant producer of 'The Chronicles of Nathan Gregory,' a project that also featured him as an actor.
His other notable projects of 2012 were 'Sugar Mommas,' 'Switchin' the Script,' 'The Good Ole Day,' 'The Fate of Love,' ‘To Love and to Cherish,' 'No More Games,' 'A Boost of Love,' and 'Highway.'
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In 2013, he was the executive producer of 'At Mamu's Feet,' a project that also featured him as part of its cast. The same year, he appeared in 'Who Did I Marry?,' 'Dreams,' 'The Perfekt Plan,' 'In the Meantime,' and 'Douglass U.'
In 2014, he worked as the executive producer of 'Breeze.' He also appeared in 10 other productions, including '4play,' 'Could This Be Love,' 'For Love or Money,' 'In God's Hands,' and 'Big Losers,'
In 2015, he appeared in ‘Blaq Gold' and 'Every Family Has Problems.'
The following year, he produced, co-directed, and acted in 'Beat Street Resurrection' and directed 'Through My Lens Atl.'
Family, Personal Life, & Death
Ford got married to Gina Sasso in 1997. Their marriage ended in a divorce in 2014. They had two children together.
He established the not-for-profit organization 'Be Still and Know' in 1998 to improve living conditions for the youth.
In 2001, Ford moved from Los Angeles to Kendall in Florida.
The media had reported that he had been dating Brazillian model, actor, producer, and owner of the jewelry line ‘Viviane Brazil Collections,’ Viviane De Sousa Beattie, also known as Viviane Brazille, even when he was married to Sasso.
Ford moved to Atlanta with Viviane in 2015.
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Ford was admitted to a hospital in Atlanta due to a ruptured abdominal aneurysm. He succumbed to the ailment on October 12, 2016, at the age of 52.
Family, Personal Life, & Death
Ford got married to Gina Sasso in 1997. Their marriage ended in a divorce in 2014. They had two children together.
Continue Reading Below
He established the not-for-profit organization 'Be Still and Know' in 1998 to improve living conditions for the youth.
In 2001, Ford moved from Los Angeles to Kendall in Florida.
The media had reported that he had been dating Brazillian model, actor, producer, and owner of the jewelry line ‘Viviane Brazil Collections,’ Viviane De Sousa Beattie, also known as Viviane Brazille, even when he was married to Sasso.
Ford moved to Atlanta with Viviane in 2015.
Ford was admitted to a hospital in Atlanta due to a ruptured abdominal aneurysm. He succumbed to the ailment on October 12, 2016, at the age of 52.
Career
In 1985 and 1987, he appeared in insignificant roles in the short film 'Deathly Realities' and the sitcom 'Kate & Allie,' respectively.
He appeared in an episode of the TV series 'A Different World,' titled 'The Thing About Women,' in 1989. The same year, he appeared in two movies: Nasty Boys' (released to TV) and 'Harlem Nights' (a feature film).
The year 1990 kept him busy, as he was engaged in multiple projects that year. He appeared in two movies: the American crime film 'Q & A' and the drama 'Across the Tracks.' He was also part of TV series such as 'Singer & Sons,' 'Uncle Buck,' 'Equal Justice,' and 'Law & Order.'
In 1991, he appeared in the romantic comedy 'The Butcher's Wife' and on the TV shows 'The Flash,' ‘Baby Talk,' 'Veronica Clare,' and 'MacGyver.'
Continue Reading Below
His breakthrough role was that of 'Thomas "Tommy" Strawn' in the hit 1992 sitcom 'Martin,' which was aired until 1997. In 1996, he was nominated for the 'NAACP Image Award' for 'Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series,’ for the same role.
In 1992, he was part of three movies: the comedies 'Brain Donors' and 'Class Act' and the neo-noir crime drama 'Night and the City.'
In 1993, he was cast in an episode of the sitcom 'Living Single,' titled ‘'Whose Date is it Anyway?,' and in two movies: the crime drama 'A Bronx Tale' and the romantic drama 'Mr. Jones.'
The same year, he produced and directed the play 'South of Where We Live' and staged it at 'Ebony Showcase Theater' to raise funds for the ailing theater industry. He directed another play, titled 'Jonin,’ that year.
He was one of the hosts of the 'Texas Gospel Music Awards' in 1993.
Between 1994 and 1997, other than reprising his role in 'Martin,' he appeared in 'The Kangaroo' and 'Against the Law.'
With the end of 'Martin' in 1997, he found time to test his acting skills and took up the role of ‘Lt. Malcolm Barker’ in the police procedural 'New York Undercover' in its fourth and final seasons, in 1998 and 1999, respectively. This role was critically acclaimed.
He returned to sitcoms in 1999, appearing as 'Mel Parker' in 'The Parkers,' a spin-off of 'Moesha, The Parkers.' He was associated with the series for three seasons, until 2001. It was another popular character of his. In 1999, he appeared on 'The Jamie Foxx Show.'
From 2000 to 2005, other than 'The Parkers,' he appeared in 'The Pretender' (2000), ‘His Woman, His Wife' (2000), ‘Judging Amy' (2001), 'The Proud Family' (2002), 'He Say… She Say… But What Does God Say?' (2004), 'On the Low' (2005), and 'Hitched’ (2005).
Continue Reading Below
In 2006, he tried something new. He appeared as the 'Pope of Comedy' in the stand-up comedy competition 'Bill Bellamy's Who's Got Jokes?,' which was aired on 'TV One.' He stayed with the show until 2008.
In 2007 and 2008, he had two projects each, in addition to 'Billy Bellamy's Who's Got Jokes?' While 2007 saw him appear in 'City Teacher' and 'House M.D,' in the year 2008, he was seen in 'The Club' and 'Stitches.'
Between 2009 and 2011, he appeared in 'Love Ain't Suppose to Hurt 2: The Wedding,' 'Lens on Talent,' 'Baby Mama's Club.' 'Let's Stay Together,' and 'Templeton Pride.'
In 2012, with 'Boulevard West,' he ventured into production and direction. The same year, he worked as the assistant producer of 'The Chronicles of Nathan Gregory,' a project that also featured him as an actor.
His other notable projects of 2012 were 'Sugar Mommas,' 'Switchin' the Script,' 'The Good Ole Day,' 'The Fate of Love,' ‘To Love and to Cherish,' 'No More Games,' 'A Boost of Love,' and 'Highway.'
In 2013, he was the executive producer of 'At Mamu's Feet,' a project that also featured him as part of its cast. The same year, he appeared in 'Who Did I Marry?,' 'Dreams,' 'The Perfekt Plan,' 'In the Meantime,' and 'Douglass U.'
In 2014, he worked as the executive producer of 'Breeze.' He also appeared in 10 other productions, including '4play,' 'Could This Be Love,' 'For Love or Money,' 'In God's Hands,' and 'Big Losers,'
In 2015, he appeared in ‘Blaq Gold' and 'Every Family Has Problems.'
The following year, he produced, co-directed, and acted in 'Beat Street Resurrection' and directed 'Through My Lens Atl.'
Childhood & Early Life
Ford was born Tommy Lamont Ford, on September 5, 1964, in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
He was of African–American descent. His father worked as a plumber, and his mother was a school secretary. He grew up in Long Beach, California.
Ford aspired to be a priest during his childhood. However, in high school, he attended drama classes and began to perform in school plays. Ford soon changed his mind and decided to pursue a career in acting.
In 1985, he acquired an 'Associate of Arts' degree from the 'Long Beach City College' in Long Beach.
His academic performance got him transferred to the 'University of Southern California,' Los Angeles, California. There, he earned his BFA degree in acting.
