Martin Lawrence brushes off health concerns amid viral clip

Martin Lawrence has allayed concerns about his health after a viral clip of the actor’s Bad Boys: Ride or Die the premiere in Los Angeles sparked speculation on social media.

In the clip that went viral, Lawrence and Bad Boys 4 co-star Will Smith is on top of a bus speaking to the crowd at the premiere. Smith is seen leading a seemingly unstable Lawrence to view the crowd. According to fans on social media, Lawrence also looked noticeably less energetic than Smith.

Lawrence and Smith appeared on Hot 97’s Ebro in the morning Tuesday, and host Ebro Darden directly asked both men about Internet speculation regarding Lawrence’s health.

“Now Martin…everyone is talking [about] you on the balcony greeting people, [you’re] looking around you, where are you looking around you? …people took it as if there was something wrong with your health, or something like that,” Darden asked.

“I was like, oh, this is a rock concert thing,” Lawrence joked, referring to his surprise at the size of the crowd. “What the hell is happening? [This is] for a movie?

Darden then asked more directly, “But on that note, Martin, is there anything you would like to say to people because they are concerned about your health?”

“I’m fine. I’m in God’s hands,” Lawrence said, adding, “I’m blessed. You know, I’m happy to wake up every day. I’m fine. There’s no need to worry about people.

Later, as the interview drew to a close, Lawrence, apparently addressing speculators on social media, joked: “I’m in excellent health.” Stop the rumors!

Lawrence, 59, has faced health issues before. In May 1996, the actor was briefly hospitalized after an incident in Los Angeles in which he ran into traffic swearing and screaming. A doctor later said Lawrence suffered from extreme exhaustion and dehydration.

During another health emergency in 1999, Lawrence was again hospitalized and slipped into a coma for three days, after collapsing from severe heat exhaustion while exercising.