Allen Payne (born July 7, 1968) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Jason Alexander in the 1994 drama film Jason's Lyric, as well as his portrayal of C.J. Payne on the family sitcom Tyler Perry's House of Payne (2006–2012, 2020-present). Payne is also known for his portrayal of Lance Rodman on NBC's The Cosby Show during its final two seasons. On film, Payne also played Gerald "Gee Money" Wells in the 1991 film New Jack City, and Detective Justice in the 1995 film Vampire in Brooklyn.
Life and career Payne was born Allen Roberts in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, the eldest son of Allen Roberts and Barbara Reeves. He attended Pennsauken High School in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey.
Payne's first television role was in a 1990 episode of The Cosby Show. Over the span of two seasons he played the role of Lance Rodman, the boyfriend of the character Charmaine. Payne subsequently appeared in episodes of The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air and Malcolm & Eddie.
Payne has appeared in many films. He played "Dead Mike" in the Nelson George-produced and Chris Rock-written hip-hop parody CB4. He also appeared in New Jack City, Jason's Lyric, Vampire in Brooklyn, Double Platinum, and The Perfect Storm. He also appeared in the Stacy Lattisaw video I'm Not The Same Girl.
Since 2006, he has starred as C.J. Payne on Tyler Perry's House of Payne. In 2018, he reprised his role from House of Payne on the short-lived spinoff The Paynes that was ultimately cancelled in favor of the parent series’ reboot.
In 2022, he also stars and reprised his role as "Gee Money" in the stage adaptation of New Jack City: Live on Stage, produced by playwright Je'Caryous Johnson.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 1989 Rooftops Kadim Cookie Extra 1991 New Jack City Gee Money 1993 CB4 Euripides Smalls/Dead Mike 1994 Jason's Lyric Jason Alexander 1995 The Walking Dead Cole Evans The Tuskegee Airmen Walter Peoples TV movie Vampire in Brooklyn Detective Justice 1998 A Price Above Rubies Ramon Garcia 1999 Double Platinum Ric Ortega TV movie 2000 The Perfect Storm Alfred Pierre 2001 30 Years to Life Malik Commitments Van Compton TV movie Blue Hill Avenue Tristan 2003 Men Cry In The Dark - Video Playas Ball Cedric Tinsley 2006 Crossover Kemp 2021 The Fight That Never Ends Leon Watkins TV movie 2024 Outlaw Posse Jeremiah
Television
Year Title Role Notes 1990–92 The Cosby Show Lance Rodman Recurring cast: Season 7-8 1992 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Marcus Stokes Episode: "My Brother's Keeper" A Different World Lance Rodman Episode: "Conflict of Interest" 1993 Roc James Episode: "The Parent Thing" 1996 Malcolm & Eddie Preston Episode: "Do the K.C. Hustle" 2004 All of Us Larry Episode: "Used Ta Be My Girl" CSI: NY Willie Chancey Episode: "Officer Blue" 2007–12 Tyler Perry's House of Payne C.J. Payne Main Cast 2018 The Paynes C.J. Payne Recurring cast 2020– Tyler Perry's House of Payne C.J. Payne Main Cast
Stage YearProductionRole2022–2024New Jack City: Live on StageGee Money2025Jason's Lyric: Live!Jason Alexander
References
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