Carl Anthony Payne II (born May 24, 1969) is an American actor.

Payne was born in South Carolina and raised in Harlem, New York.

He studied acting at the First All Children's Theater, an off-Broadway repertory theatre company.

Carl Payne is known for his role as Cole Brown on the Fox sitcom Martin and his recurring role as Theo Huxtable's best friend Cockroach on the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show.

He directed and produced music videos, web series and short films, all while continuing to tour the country as a stand-up comic.