logo

Remember Lisa McDowell from 'Coming To America'? She looks great & has a son with a rap legend

author
By Lea-Ann Van Der Merwe
Jun 28, 2018
09:10 P.M.

The 53-year-old actress was married to a famous rapper during the 1990's, and somehow managed to keep their relationship mostly on the down-low.

Advertisement

Shari Headley, who was known for her role as Lisa McDowell on Coming To America, was married to Eddie Murphy's character Prince Akeem on the film in 1988. But in reality, she was married to someone very different.

Headley was married to Christopher "Play" Martin, one of the rappers of Kid 'N Play from May 1993 until 1995.

During their marriage, the couple produced a son, who they named Skylar Martin, who was born in 1994 and is now 24 years old.

Advertisement

Headley is of Trinidadian descent, and actually began her career in the limelight as a model appearing in magazines like Glamour and Mademoiselle before transitioning to acting.

Among her other acting credits on both film and television are The Cosby Show, Miami Vice, All My Children, Walker, Texas Ranger, and The Bold and the Beautiful.

In 2014, she joined the cast of Oprah Winfrey Network primetime soap opera, The Haves and the Have Nots created by Tyler Perry, playing the role of District Attorney Jennifer Sallison. From season 4, she was made a regular.

Advertisement

Since the couple split up, Martin worked for a number of years as a rap teacher at North Carolina Central University. Unfortunately, budget cuts at the school forced the administration to lay him off.

He was so popular among the students that they actually petitioned for the school to reinstate him.

He also serves as a professional in-house at the Institute for Hip Hop and Music Industry Studies that Clemons directs at Florida A & M University, and he dedicates time to the non-profit group Campaign for Change.

Every now and again, he and his former group member Kid meet up and perform together again on stage, showing off their moves in public.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Related posts

From Army Soldier to Rap Icon With a Dark Past — Can You Guess Who He Is? (30+ Photos)

April 23, 2026

This Former Child Star Is Now 65, and Fans Can't Believe the Transformation – Photos

April 20, 2026

This '90s 'Beautiful' Actress Turned 74: Her Transformation over the Years Ignited Buzz

April 01, 2026

Heather Locklear's Daughter Ava, 28, Ties the Knot in Romantic Outdoor Wedding – Photos

May 18, 2026

This 'Murphy Brown' Actress Was Described as One of America's Most-Produced Playwrights – Her Story & Photos

April 02, 2026

Martin Short Opens up About Daughter's Passing in Emotional Statement

May 10, 2026

Beyond Music: 2 Characters Wiz Khalifa Voiced, a TV Role He Played, and His Ultimate Acting Dream

June 17, 2026

At 90, This Legendary Actress Faced Alzheimer's like Her Late Daughter – Who Is She?

April 23, 2026

Outstanding 'The Waltons' Actress Passes Away at 90 – Family Shares Touching Tribute

April 28, 2026

Martin Short Breaks Silence on Daughter Katherine's Passing Nearly 3 Months After the Loss

May 11, 2026

Richard Gere's Blue-Eyed Son Makes Acting Debut in Steamy Scene – Fans Say He Looks Nothing like His Dad

May 26, 2026