Career and Life

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Allen Payne (born Allen Roberts) is an American film and television actor best known for his recurring role as C.J. Payne on Tyler Perry's House of Payne (2006–2012; 2020-present) and The Paynes (2018). Payne is also known for his portrayal of Lance Rodman on NBC's The Cosby Show during its final two seasons. On film, Payne played Gerald "Gee Money" Wells in the 1991 film New Jack City, Jason Alexander in the 1994 film Jason's Lyric, and Detective Justice in the 1995 film Vampire in Brooklyn.

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Payne was born Allen Roberts in the Harlem area of New York City, the eldest son of Allen Roberts and Barbara Reeves. He attended Pennsauken High School in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey.

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Payne's first television role was in a 1990 episode of The Cosby Show. Over the span of two seasons, he portrayed Charmaine's boyfriend, Lance Rodman. Payne subsequently appeared in episodes of The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air and Malcolm & Eddie.

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Payne has appeared in many films. He played "Dead Mike" in the Nelson George-produced and George 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. Beginning in 2006, he starred as C.J. Payne on Tyler Perry's House of Payne. He also appeared in a Stacy Lattisaw video I'm Not The Same Girl.

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In 2018, he reprised his role from House of Payne on The Paynes.

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