Xen Martin is the eldest son of actress Tisha Campbell and actor Duane Martin. He is a college student who has spoken about autism, school, and his love of animals. His mother shared parts of his life in her 2026 book, The A Word.
Tisha is known for Martin and My Wife and Kids, but her son’s plans do not center on acting. He has talked about studying animals and hopes to teach others about them.
In this article, you’ll learn about Xen Martin’s family, childhood, education, interests, public interviews, and goals. You’ll also see how he has begun to tell his own story.
Who Is Xen Martin?
Xen Martin is the older child of Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin. Both parents work in film and television. He grew up with a family that many viewers already knew from sitcoms.
His name is often linked to his mother’s talks about autism. She has spoken about their family for many years. More recently, Xen has joined her in public conversations.
He is studying at college and has a strong interest in animals. His goal is to work in zoology or a related field, and he has spoken about teaching in the future.
These details give a fuller view than a short line about being a star’s son. He is a young adult with his own voice, studies, and plans.
Growing Up in a Family of Actors
His mother, Tisha Campbell, has appeared in films and shows since she was young. Fans know her as Gina on Martin and as Jay on My Wife and Kids.
His father, Duane Martin, is also an actor. He has worked in film and TV, including the sitcom All of Us. Xen grew up near that industry but did not become a regular child star.
The family later welcomed a second son, Ezekiel. The brothers were raised as part of a busy home shaped by their parents’ jobs and school schedules.
In public interviews, his parents have said family time mattered even when acting work kept them busy. Those accounts give context for how they balanced home and careers.
His Childhood and Autism Diagnosis
Tisha Campbell has shared that Xen was diagnosed with autism when he was very young. She has spoken about the diagnosis in interviews and in her memoir.
Autism is a form of neurodivergence. It affects how a person may process information, speak with others, or experience the world. Each autistic person is different.
In early interviews, his mother recalled times when he had trouble with speech. She also spoke about how the family sought support as he grew.
Those memories are his mother’s account of childhood, not a complete record of his health. As an adult, Xen can also speak for himself about what life means to him.
Learning to Speak and Connect
Campbell has discussed how much work went into helping her son communicate. She praised the staff who worked with him and spoke about his progress over the years.
Her old interviews describe a young boy who was learning to use words and speak in full sentences. That was an important part of his childhood at the time.
It does not mean that one way of speaking is the right goal for every autistic person. People communicate in many ways, and each person’s needs are their own.
In later years, he joined his mother in long interviews. He could speak about his own ideas and take part in talks that used to be told only from a parent’s side.
School and College Life
Xen completed high school in 2020. His mother shared news of the graduation and praised his hard work and plans for what came next.
He went on to college. In a 2024 interview with Essence, Campbell described her eldest son as a 23-year-old student.
She said he wanted to study animals and reach the level needed to teach that subject. The dream involved years of study, rather than a quick job in entertainment.
In September 2026, Campbell again said he was going to college and working while he studied. That is a clear update on his path as a young adult.
Why Animals Matter to Him
Animal science has been a long-term interest for Xen. His mother has spoken about his focus on animals since he was small.
He has said he wants to learn about living things and how they behave. That interest can lead toward zoology, animal care, or research.
Zoology is the study of animals. Students may learn about how animals live, move, eat, and adapt to the world around them.
It takes more than liking pets to build a career in this field. College work can include biology, field study, data, and many hours of reading. His current studies are part of that path.
His Goal of Becoming a Professor
Campbell has said her son’s long-term goal is to be a professor of animal studies. A professor teaches at a college or university and may do research.
That is a goal, not a job title he already holds. The route often includes a college degree, further study, and work in a special area.
His family has spoken about the goal with pride. It shows that he has an interest he wants to turn into a career.
The plan is also separate from the film business. His parents are known for acting, but his own focus has been science and animals.
His Mother’s Work in Autism Awareness
Tisha Campbell began to speak about autism long before her 2026 book. She has taken part in events and projects that aim to help families learn more.
One project was Colored My Mind, a short film about autism and the need for better support in Black and Latino communities. It came out in 2013.
The work focused on access to help, not on turning one family’s experience into a rule for everyone. Parents may face different needs based on where they live and what care is available.
Her public work helped bring Xen’s name into more interviews. It also made his later choice to speak directly more important.
The A Word: A Mother’s Journey Through Autism and Love
In September 2026, Campbell released a book called The A Word: A Mother’s Journey Through Autism and Love. The title reflects her view of the family years she wanted to describe.
The book looks at how she learned about the diagnosis, sought support, and changed as a parent. It also gives space to the joys and hard parts of family life.
It is a mother’s memoir. Readers should not treat it as a guide to what every autistic person feels or needs. Xen’s life is more than any one account of his childhood.
The book led to new talks on TV and radio. This gave him chances to join the conversation as an adult rather than being discussed only as a child.
Speaking With His Mother in 2026
Xen appeared with Campbell in a September 2026 interview on ABC News. The segment focused on the book and how their family had changed.
In the ABC News interview with Tisha Campbell and Xen Martin, both took part in the discussion. That direct appearance is one of the strongest ways to hear about his life.
He also joined her for radio and podcast talks around the same time. These conversations covered school, family, and the ideas behind the book.
His presence matters because he is an adult speaking in his own voice. The story is not just about what someone else says he can or cannot do.
The Brothers Xen and Ezekiel
Xen has a younger brother named Ezekiel. Their mother has spoken about both sons when discussing work, family, and motherhood.
The two boys grew up at different points in their parents’ careers. By the time Ezekiel was born, the family had spent years learning how to support Xen.
Campbell has described how proud she is of both sons. She sees their growth and kind behavior as part of what matters most to her.
The brothers do not need to follow the same path. Xen is interested in animals and further study. Their younger sibling has his own school and life.
What Xen Martin Is Doing Today
As of late 2026, Xen is known to be attending college and working. He has also taken part in interviews for his mother’s book.
He has not announced a full-time acting career. His public plans have centered on the study of animals and the goal of teaching.
The 2026 interviews show a young man who can share his own views. They add a new chapter to a story that fans first heard through his mother.
His future path will be his own to choose. For now, his studies, work, and public talks are the clearest parts of his adult life.
Final Thoughts
Xen Martin grew up in a well-known acting family, but he has plans beyond television. He is a college student with a deep interest in animals.
His mother has shared their family story for years. In 2026, they spoke together about it during the release of her book.
For readers, the key point is simple. He is a young adult with his own goals and voice, not only a person in someone else’s family story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Xen Martin?
He is the older son of actors Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin.
Is Xen Martin in college?
Yes. His mother said in September 2026 that he was in college and also working.
What does Xen Martin want to do?
He has spoken about studying animals, with a long-term goal of teaching the subject.
Has Xen Martin talked about autism publicly?
Yes. He joined Tisha Campbell for interviews during the release of her 2026 memoir.
Does Xen Martin have siblings?
Yes. His younger brother is Ezekiel Martin.
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