Xen Martin is best known as the eldest son of veteran Hollywood actors Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin. Though his parents built long careers in front of the camera, Xen has largely stayed away from the spotlight. Even so, public interest in his life has grown steadily over the years, especially after his parents opened up about raising him.
Early Life and Birth
Xen Martin was born on August 8, 2001, in Los Angeles, California. He is the firstborn child of actress Tisha Campbell and actor Duane Martin, who were married at the time of his birth. Growing up in a household shaped by two working entertainers, Xen was introduced to the entertainment world early, occasionally appearing alongside his parents at public events, though his upbringing was kept largely private by design.
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Parents: Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin
Tisha Campbell is an American actress whose career began in the 1980s. She made her film debut in a supporting role and went on to appear in a string of notable projects, including comedic and dramatic films, before becoming widely recognized for her television work. Over the years, she earned award recognition for her performances and built a reputation as a respected figure in film and television.
Duane Martin, Xen’s father, is an American actor who rose to prominence through television sitcom appearances before landing roles in feature films. His filmography includes sports dramas, comedies, and action films that helped establish him as a familiar face in Black Hollywood cinema during the 1990s and 2000s. He later took on lead roles in television series that extended his career into the following decade.
Before turning to acting full time, Duane Martin also had a brief stint in professional basketball. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by an NBA team but was released before ever playing in a regular season game, a chapter of his life that predates his acting career.
Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin met in 1990 and were married on August 17, 1996. Their relationship placed them among Hollywood’s more prominent couples for over two decades, during which they welcomed two sons together.
Xen’s Sibling, Ezekiel
Xen Martin is not an only child. He has a younger brother, Ezekiel Czar Martin, who was born in 2009. Following their parents’ divorce, the two brothers’ living arrangements became part of the public record, since Ezekiel was still a minor at the time the marriage ended. Court documents indicated that Campbell and Martin agreed to share custody responsibilities for Ezekiel, alternating time with him and dividing costs such as healthcare and education, without either parent paying spousal or child support to the other.
Autism Diagnosis and Growing Up
One of the most defining aspects of Xen Martin’s early life became public when his mother spoke openly about his development. During a 2013 joint interview with Duane Martin, Tisha Campbell revealed that Xen had been diagnosed with autism at 18 months old. She described the emotional toll the diagnosis took on the family, explaining that they consulted several doctors before coming to terms with the diagnosis. Campbell has since spoken candidly in interviews about the range of emotions she experienced upon learning the news, describing it as an overwhelming and difficult period for the family.
Despite the early challenges associated with his diagnosis, Xen Martin reached a significant personal milestone in 2020 when he graduated from high school. Both of his parents marked the achievement publicly on social media, celebrating a moment that came to represent years of support and perseverance. Tisha Campbell has continued to speak about her son with pride, regularly acknowledging his progress and milestones to her followers.
Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin’s Divorce
After years of marriage, Tisha Campbell filed for divorce from Duane Martin in February 2018. In court filings and subsequent interviews, Campbell alleged that Martin had misappropriated and concealed money during their marriage. She also later spoke about experiencing emotional, mental, and physical abuse throughout the relationship, allegations that became part of the public record as the case proceeded.
The divorce proceedings extended over roughly two years before being finalized in December 2020. As part of the settlement, a judge ruled that neither Campbell nor Martin would pay spousal or child support to the other. The couple also reached agreements regarding property and shared custody of their younger son, Ezekiel, while Xen, who was already an adult by that point, continued living with his mother. The court additionally ordered both parties to treat one another with respect and civility in their son’s presence.
Beyond the divorce itself, Campbell and Martin also dealt with a lengthy joint bankruptcy case tied to their years of shared finances, a process that took several years to fully resolve after the divorce was finalized. Campbell has since spoken publicly about the financial and emotional difficulties she faced during that period, including describing how she rebuilt her life afterward.
Life After the Divorce
Following their split, both Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin have continued their careers independently. Campbell has remained active in film and television, while also using her platform to discuss personal health matters, including a chronic inflammatory condition she has said improved after her divorce was finalized. Martin has also stayed active professionally and announced his engagement to model and actress Ashley Marie Jones in early 2024, revealing the news on social media.
Throughout these changes, Xen Martin has kept a low public profile. Unlike many children of celebrities who pursue careers in entertainment or build a public persona, Xen has not sought media attention, and detailed information about his current profession, education beyond high school, or personal life has not been made publicly available. What is known comes primarily from statements his parents have made in interviews and on social media over the years.
Public Appearances
Despite his private lifestyle, Xen Martin has appeared alongside his parents at select public and red-carpet events over the years, offering occasional glimpses of him as he grew from childhood into adulthood. These appearances, along with his parents’ social media posts celebrating milestones such as his high school graduation, remain the primary source of public information about his life.
Conclusion
Xen Martin’s story is closely tied to that of his well-known parents, Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin, yet it also stands on its own as a story of resilience. Diagnosed with autism as a toddler, he later reached the milestone of graduating high school in 2020, a moment his parents proudly celebrated. As his parents’ marriage, which began in 1996 and legally ended in December 2020, became public knowledge through interviews and court proceedings, Xen largely remained shielded from the spotlight. Today, he continues to live a private life away from the entertainment industry his parents helped shape.
FAQs
1. When was Xen Martin born?
Xen Martin was born on August 8, 2001, in Los Angeles, California.
2. Who are Xen Martin’s parents?
His parents are actress Tisha Campbell and actor Duane Martin, who were married on August 17, 1996.
3. Does Xen Martin have siblings?
Yes. He has a younger brother, Ezekiel Czar Martin, who was born in 2009.
4. Is Xen Martin autistic?
Yes. His mother, Tisha Campbell, revealed in a 2013 interview that Xen was diagnosed with autism at 18 months old.
5. Are Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin still married?
No. Campbell filed for divorce in February 2018, and the divorce was finalized in December 2020.
