Carl Anthony Payne II Talks The Martin Reunion, Attending Howard University, And If He Feels He's Received His Flowers
Suit (similar styles) ZARA, Polo (similar styles) BOGNER, Talent’s Own Sneakers, Hat and Sunglasses.
Photographed by Marq Newman
What are your earliest memories of wanting to be an actor?
I think my earliest memories of wanting to be an actor were when I was about, I remember what age, I'm almost embarrassed to say what it was. I kind of partly grew up in the South in South Carolina. Outside of Saturday morning cartoons, Tarzan and Westerns were big back then, and I didn't know if I wanted to be an actor or just like the people on TV. Do you know what I'm saying? I mean, I wanted to swing through the jungle and fight alligators. I would run around in my underwear like Tarzan with a little loincloth. And the same thing for the western. For a long time I begged my aunt to buy me the whole outfit. I wanted the guns and the flannel shirt with the vest. So I guess as far back as, as I can remember. I used to want to emulate those things, but I didn't know that's what it meant. I didn't know I had to be an actor, if that makes sense.
You graduated from Howard University! Today we see such a big push for black and brown people to attend a HBCU. Back then, was it important to you to attend Howard or a black college or university?
Absolutely! I was accepted to Julliard, but I chose to go to Howard because all my aunts and cousins went there, and taught there, and they were heavy into HBCUs. I didn't realize, or I didn't know the importance or the impact of it until I actually went. I learned more about myself and about my culture in the first semester at Howard University that I did all my schooling coming up. I gained more sense of self and nationalism and everything else in my first semester at Howard than I did in the schooling system in New York City
Kare Knitted Pullover ($450) & Pants (similar styles) BOGNER, Talent’s Own Sunglasses and Hat
The Martin reunion is one of many reunions and reboots from past shows we love and deem timeless in our community. Was there any pressure coming to do this Martin reunion and to make sure that yall got it right?
The show was so iconic and had such an impact on the culture and people in general. It's like you couldn't just throw something together. This reunion special was going to be our farewell, in a sense, so we had to do something that was going to be long-lasting, like the show. We had to make sure it was right.
As Cole on Martin, you played a naive character. I feel people have a difficult time separating characters portrayed from the actor who plays them, and your character's reputation can follow you. Do people expect you to be just as naive as Cole? How do you handle that?
Anytime you play a role that people believe or think you're like the character, you're doing your job well. I think people expect Cole, but then about two seconds after meeting me, they'll learn he's not like this character. They realize Cole is just a role, and sometimes they're shocked by that.
You play Myles Wilson, the uncle to Young Dylan on Tyler Perry's Young Dylan, and you've also directed some episodes on seasons two and three. How was it working behind the camera?
I've been directing for a minute now, so it was just a natural progression. It was a natural transition. I love it as a matter of fact, and I look forward to doing more of it. I also have a movie called Strange Love, where I directed my second feature coming to theaters in the fall?
V Neck Sleeveless Sweater ($150) BOSS, Talent’s Own Jacket, Pants and Jewelry.
You and other black actors have been on these iconic shows and sitcoms that impacted television. However, I don't feel like our shows or actors got the notoriety or the recognition like Friends for example. Do you feel like you've got your flowers?
Wow, that's a good question? I think so, depending on what you're talking about. I feel like Friends was what it was for who it was. Just like we were who we were to our people, you know, I'm saying? And so in that aspect, absolutely because everywhere I go, it's nothing but love and love for those characters we played. In terms of Hollywood, I don't think so, if that makes sense. In terms of culturally and just, you know, as in being the people champ, for sure.
Photographer: Marq Newman @marqnewman
Styling: Nigel Isaiah @nigel_isaiah
Grooming: Crystal R. Smith @locdinstyle
Location: The 9 Studio