In February 2020, actress Tisha Campbell shared a piece of news that had nothing to do with a movie, television show, or award. Her eldest son had been accepted into the college he had wanted to attend since childhood. She was so happy that she cried while sitting in traffic. The college acceptance was a big moment for the family, particularly because her son had completed the application without asking his parents to handle it.
That son is Xen Martin, born on August 8, 2001. Many people know his name because of Campbell and her former husband, actor Duane Martin. But Xen has interests of his own, especially when it comes to animals and science. His mother has spoken about his childhood experiences with autism, his education, and his efforts to earn money while studying. Now 25 years old, Xen has also begun speaking more openly about his life.
Quick Bio
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Xen Martin |
| Date of Birth | August 8, 2001 |
| Age (2026) | 25 Years Old |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous For | Being Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin’s eldest son |
| Mother | Tisha Campbell |
| Father | Duane Martin |
| Sibling | Ezekiel Czar Martin (Younger Brother) |
| Education | Moorpark College, California |
| Field of Interest | Zoology and Animal Studies |
| Autism Diagnosis | Diagnosed at approximately 18 months old |
| Career Interests | Animal Conservation, Wildlife Research, Teaching |
| Future Ambition | Becoming a Professor of Animal Studies |
Who Is Xen Martin?
Xen Martin is the first child of Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin, two actors who have worked in American television and film for decades. His mother became famous through shows such as Martin and My Wife and Kids. His father appeared in productions including Above the Rim and All of Us.
Growing up around famous people did not make Xen eager to become an entertainer. His attention was elsewhere. He enjoyed learning about wildlife and spent much of his younger years developing that interest. As he grew older, he began thinking about how he could turn it into a profession.
Although Xen occasionally accompanies his mother to public events, he has never been as visible in the entertainment world as either of his parents.
The Early Years His Mother Often Talks About
Xen’s childhood brought unexpected responsibilities for his parents. When he was approximately 18 months old, doctors diagnosed him with autism. Campbell has described receiving the news while working on the television series My Wife and Kids.
At the time, she did not know much about autism. She began speaking with medical professionals, learning about developmental differences, and finding support for her son. In later interviews, she remembered how much she had to learn about communication and understanding his needs.
Xen was nonverbal during part of his early childhood. His parents worked with specialists and supported him as he developed different skills. Campbell also spoke with other families raising autistic children, something she found helpful.
Those experiences eventually became an important subject in her interviews and writing. However, they are only one part of Xen’s life. His interests, personality, and ambitions have continued to develop as he has grown older.
School, Friends, and Everyday Childhood
Much of Xen’s early life took place away from the cameras. His mother tried to provide an ordinary upbringing despite the attention surrounding her career. School, family activities, and his personal interests were part of his daily routine.
Campbell has explained that she wanted Xen to learn how to make decisions and manage responsibilities. She encouraged him to take an active part in his education and pursue subjects he genuinely enjoyed.
As a child, Xen showed a strong interest in animals. It was not something he suddenly discovered as a teenager. He had been talking about wildlife and animal studies for years before college became a possibility.
That interest later helped him choose an academic direction, even though his parents worked in a completely different field.
Why Getting Into College Meant So Much
For Xen, attending Moorpark College had been a goal since he was eight years old. In February 2020, when he was 18, his mother announced that he had received an acceptance letter.
Campbell explained that someone had previously doubted whether he would get into the school. Xen applied anyway. He did not wait for his parents to complete the paperwork or arrange the process for him.
His mother was especially pleased with that decision. She had spent years encouraging him to take responsibility for his future, and the application was something he had chosen to handle himself.
Later in 2020, Xen graduated from high school. Both parents celebrated his achievement publicly. His college plans were connected to studying animals, a subject that had interested him since childhood.
His Interest in Zoology Goes Back Years
People familiar with Xen’s story will know that zoology has been one of his favourite subjects. He enjoys learning about different animal species, their behaviour, and the environments where they live.
That interest also appeared in videos he made for YouTube. In 2016, he began uploading content about animals through a series called Zoologist Network. Some videos involved animal facts, while others featured visits to places where he could observe wildlife. His mother and younger brother occasionally appeared with him.
He later explored other subjects, including comic book characters and stories. His videos showed that he enjoyed explaining things he found interesting.
Unlike someone trying to establish an entertainment career, Xen appeared to be using the platform mainly to share his hobbies.
From Studying Animals to Working With Them
By the time Xen reached adulthood, animals were more than a favourite subject. He was interested in finding work that would allow him to spend time with them.
In April 2025, Campbell shared that her son had a job involving rescue animals while continuing his college education. It was a meaningful development because the work was connected to something he had been interested in for so long.
His future plans also included further academic study. During an interview with ESSENCE in 2025, Campbell said Xen wanted to earn a doctorate and become a professor of animal studies.
Those qualifications take years to complete, and there is no public confirmation that he has earned a doctorate. For now, teaching remains one of the professional goals his mother has described.
Why Working Matters to Xen Martin
There is another detail about Xen that his mother has mentioned more than once. He wants to earn his own money.
When Campbell announced his college acceptance in 2020, she also revealed that he was working two jobs while maintaining strong academic results. She said he wanted to become financially independent rather than rely entirely on his parents’ success.
That attitude has remained important as he has grown older. Combining employment with education is not always easy, particularly when someone is also planning years of further study.
During a book event in Chicago in September 2026, Campbell confirmed that Xen was still attending college and working. She spoke about his independence with pride, although she did not share every detail about his workplace or academic schedule.
The Relationship Between Xen and Tisha Campbell
Watching Xen and his mother together gives audiences a different view of the actress. Campbell is known for her lively personality and comic performances, but their conversations often concern ordinary family matters.
The two have appeared in social media videos where they joke, disagree, and talk about everyday situations. Xen has his own way of responding to his mother, and their conversations sometimes become funny without either of them trying particularly hard to entertain an audience.
Campbell has shared how much she values being a mother, even when discussing her professional achievements. She has also spoken about learning to give Xen space as he becomes more independent.
For Xen, however, having a famous mother does not seem especially unusual. She is someone he has known his entire life, long before he understood how many people recognised her.
His Father and Younger Brother
Xen’s father, Duane Martin, has worked as an actor since the early 1990s. He married Tisha Campbell in 1996, and the couple welcomed Xen five years later.
In 2009, they had another son, Ezekiel Czar Martin. The brothers have an age difference of approximately eight years and have occasionally appeared together at family events.
Campbell and Duane separated in 2018. Their divorce was finalised in December 2020.
While their marriage ended, both parents have publicly celebrated important moments in their sons’ lives. Duane also shared a message when Xen graduated from high school, thanking the people who had supported him growing up.
The 2026 Book That Brought New Attention
In September 2026, Tisha Campbell published The A Word: A Mother’s Journey Through Autism and Love. The memoir looks back at her experiences after Xen’s diagnosis and the decisions she made while raising him.
The book was released on September 15, and Campbell took part in interviews to discuss it. This time, Xen joined her for several appearances.
On September 17, ABC News featured a conversation with Campbell and Xen. They also appeared on The Breakfast Club on September 18, discussing family life, autism, and how people understand neurodivergence.
These appearances gave Xen an opportunity to answer questions about his own experiences. He was no longer simply the young child his mother had spoken about in interviews years earlier.
How Xen Feels About Being in the Public Eye
During his appearance on The Breakfast Club, Xen was asked about the attention he receives when appearing in videos with his mother.
He explained that he did not think of himself as a star. From his point of view, these appearances were simply part of his everyday life.
It was a straightforward response from someone who had grown up around celebrities without making fame his main interest.
Xen has never publicly suggested that he wants to become a television personality. He seems more interested in his studies, animals, and the work he hopes to do in the future.
What Is Known About His Personal Life?
Xen has shared certain parts of his life through interviews and videos, but plenty remains private. There is limited confirmed information about his relationships, personal finances, or exact living arrangements.
His educational interests are better documented. His family has discussed his wish to work with animals, his college experience, and his ambition to continue studying.
At 25 years old, he is still deciding how his professional life will develop. A teaching career remains one possibility, but it would be premature to describe him as a professor or established scientist.
He has time to explore different opportunities, whether they involve wildlife conservation, research, teaching, or animal care.
Conclusion
There is something interesting about Xen Martin choosing a field so far removed from his parents’ work. He grew up around actors and television sets, yet animals and science caught his attention instead.
His mother has shared important parts of his childhood, including his autism diagnosis and education. More recently, Xen has appeared alongside her and spoken about his own experiences.
He is still studying, working, and making plans for the years ahead. His future may involve teaching or animal conservation, but there is no confirmed career outcome yet. For now, he is simply following interests that have stayed with him since he was a child.
(FAQs)
Who is Xen Martin?
Xen Martin is the eldest son of American actors Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin. He is known for his family background, college education, and interest in animal studies.
How old is Xen Martin in 2026?
Xen was born on August 8, 2001. He turned 25 in August 2026.
Is Xen Martin autistic?
Yes. Tisha Campbell has explained in interviews that her son was diagnosed with autism when he was approximately 18 months old.
What does Xen Martin do?
Xen has attended college while working. In 2025, his mother said he was employed in work involving rescue animals and hoped to continue his education.
Who are Xen Martin’s parents and siblings?
His parents are Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin. He has one younger brother, Ezekiel Czar Martin, who was born in 2009.
