Carl Anthony Payne II (born May 24, 1969 in Trenton, New Jersey) is an American actor. He studied at the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, New York and Howard University, Washington DC. He is best known for his roles as Theo Huxtable's best friend Cockroach on The Cosby Show and the dimwitted Cole Brown on Martin.