`Martin' On-Screen Couple Are On The Rocks Off The Set

HOLLYWOOD - In the world of made-for-TV marriages, few seemed more solid than Martin and Gina's.

The couple at the center of Fox's "Martin" appeared to fit together like hand in glove. Their differences complemented one another. They had a healthy sex life. And though they regularly clashed, they were undoubtedly in love.

Martin and Gina, portrayed by Martin Lawrence and Tisha Campbell, are still together in terms of the show's story line, but the "marriage" behind the scenes is definitely on the rocks.

According to court papers filed last week by Campbell, her real-life relationship with Lawrence was much darker and dangerous than their on-screen personas indicated.

Detailing her decision last November to leave "Martin" abruptly in the middle of its fifth season, Campbell accused her co-star of waging an obsessive campaign of physical and emotional abuse against her, so volatile and unpredictable that she feared for her life. She charged Martin with "repeated and escalating" sexual harassment, sexual battery and violent threats.

Lawrence on Tuesday fired back with a statement denying his co-star's charges, claiming that he is being used as a pawn in a contract dispute between Campbell and HBO.

Responding to Lawrence's statement, Kurt Peterson, Campbell's attorney, said: "Mr. Lawrence's statement refers to a `contract dispute' between HBO and Miss Campbell that has never existed. The financial terms of Miss Campbell's current contract with HBO were agreed to quickly and amicably prior to the current season."

Campbell's last appearance on "Martin" was Dec. 19. Two episodes, filmed without her and airing in February, explain her absence by saying Gina missed the boat that was supposed to take her on a romantic voyage with Martin.

Campbell's lawsuit details a season-by-season account of what it calls Lawrence's mistreatment and obsession. Problems started in the first season, the lawsuit said, when Campbell consistently turned down Lawrence for dates.

The rages became worse in the third season, the lawsuit said. "He humiliated and abused Campbell in front of the entire cast and crew on so many occasions that it reached the point where she needed to be hospitalized due to the stress he caused her," the lawsuit said.

Campbell charged in the legal filing that Lawrence would grope her, kiss her, force his tongue into her mouth and simulate intercourse with her on the set in front of the cast and crew when they were not rehearsing or filming scenes.

Last Nov. 22, the lawsuit said, Lawrence physically confronted a cast member and threw such a rage at Campbell that she was "terrified and concerned for her safety." She then told producers she was leaving and would not be returning.

Information from USA Today is included in this report.