Carl Anthony Payne II is a stage and television actor, producer, and director. Payne studied acting at the First All Children's Theater, an off-Broadway repertory theatre company. He attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York and Howard University.

Carl Payne is best known for his role as Cole Brown on the syndicated hit TV series Martin and his recurring role as Theo Huxtable's best friend Cockroach on the NBC series The Cosby Show. Payne also played Reynaldo St. James on the BET series The Game and renowned producer L.A. Reid in VH1’s TLC Biopic.

Payne has directed and produced music videos, web series and short films, all while continuing to tour the country as a standup comic.

As a longtime resident of Los Angeles, California, now residing in Atlanta, Georgia, Payne has remained relevant amongst his peers by his continued pursuit of excellence and commitment to legacy.  Aside from being on the big screen, Payne’s commitment to community enrichment and charitable organizations is never ending.