Taking a break from being a movie star, Martin Lawrence will take the stage at the Silver Legacy on Saturday to remind fans that he was a stand-up comedian before the big-screen scripts started rolling in. 

Well known for films such as “Bad Boys” and “Bad Boys II,” as well as more family friendly fare including “Wild Hogs,” “College Road Trip” and the animated “Open Season,” Lawrence’s stage act shows a different side of the actor. 

According to faithful fans of the funny man, Lawrence will be taking the stage after almost a decade away from stand-up comedy. Additionally, according to blogs and fan Web sites, Lawrence’s performance at the Silver Legacy is a few weeks before he will kick off the nation-wide “Doin' Time Comedy Tour” on Feb. 19 in California. 

Lawrence’s comedy career originally kicked off in the 1980s, when the talented storyteller’s improvisational skills were noticed by crowds at the famous Hollywood Improv comedy club and he soon found himself on the TV talent show “Star Search.” 

At the age of 27, luck found Lawrence when Def Jam records mogul Russell Simmons asked the young comic to host the HBO series “Def Comedy Jam.” This opened the doors to more television opportunities including Lawrence’s own self-titled sitcom “Martin,” which aired from 1992 to 1997. 

It was his time on the small screen that paved Lawrence’s path to the silver screen, making him an easily recognizable household name. While Lawrence’s film credits include the comedy stand-up concerts “You So Crazy” and “Runteldat,” he found himself cast in the small role of Cee in the 1989 Spike Lee film “Do The Right Thing.” 

A long list of movie credits followed as well as leading roles in the “Big Momma’s House” franchise and the summer action-comedy blockbusters “Bad Boys” (1995) and “Bad Boys II” (2003). In the “Bad Boys” films, Lawrence played Marcus, a slightly paranoid Florida police officer who played by the rules but whose partner Mike, played by Will Smith, was the complete opposite. Adding to the “Bad Boys” franchise, Columbia pictures is developing a script for the third installment. 

In contrast, Lawrence’s stand-up sketches are more vulgar, using more coarse language than might be found in “Bad Boys” and “Bad Boys II.” His stand-up has been notably topical to his life experiences and even touches on current, or in some cases not so current but socially hot, topics of discussion including women, race and authority. 

Lawrence will take the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Silver Legacy’s Grande Exposition Hall. Tickets are $65 to $80 and can be purchased at HYPERLINK "http://www.silverlegacy.com/"www.silverlegacy.com, the Silver Legacy Box Office or by calling (800) 687-8733 or 325-7401.