Birth date: | January 18, 1969 |
Birth place: | Rocky Mount, Virginia, U.S. |
Height: | 6' 2¾" (1.9 m) |
Profession: | Actor, Singer |
Education: | Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, Tisch School of the Arts of New York University |
Nationality: | American |
Parents: | Jesse Reed Watkins, Virginia Price |
Awards: | Obie Award for Special Citations |
Nominations: | Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards - Best Song, Critics Choice Award - Best Acting Ensemble (2006), Image Awards, OFTA Film Award, Screen Actors Guild Awards |
Movies: | “Long Live TOY” (2013), “The Cake Eaters” (2007), “Peter and Vandy” (2009), “Joyful Noise” (2012) |
TV shows: | "Rent" (2005), "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1999-2000), “The X-Files: The Unnatural” (1999), "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (2001), "The Philanthropist" (2009), "The Flash" (2014-) |
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1 | He has played the same character (Detective Ed Green) in five different television series: Law & Order (1990), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001), Law & Order: Trial by Jury (2005) and Andy Barker, P.I. (2007). |
2 | He and Ani Difranco graduated from high school, together. |
3 | Attended the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. |
4 | Returning back to Buffalo, N.Y., to work on an independent film, in October of 2006, his luggage was stolen from an SUV as he signed autographs in a restaurant. Martin's belongings have not been returned. |
5 | The storyline of "Detective Ed Green" being shot in the line of duty was written into the Law & Order (1990) script so that during his "recovery", Jesse could be in San Fransisco to film Rent (2005). |
6 | On April 2, 2006, Martin was a featured guest at the awards ceremony of the SunDeis Film Festival at Brandeis University. Martin, introduced to a standing ovation, presented his Law & Order (1990) co-star S. Epatha Merkerson with the first-ever SunDeis Entertainer of the Year Award, the highlight of the festival weekend. |
7 | Tom Collins and Angel Dumott Schunard, his character and character's boyfriend in Rent, take their last names from their characters counterparts in La Boheme. Tom Collins (known simply as Collins) is based on Colline, and Angel is based on Schaunard. |
8 | In Law & Order (1990), he works with Jerry Orbach, who played "Billy Flynn" in the original cast of "Chicago". In "Rent", (play and film) he works with Taye Diggs, who played the band leader in the 2002 film, and briefly played "Flynn" himself in late 2002 during the Broadway revival. |
9 | Currently preparing two one-man shows: "Fiend" and an untitled piece based on the life of Marvin Gaye. |
10 | Almost Graduated from NYU |
11 | Worked at the Moondance Diner in New York City with Jonathan Larson. |
12 | Accompanied Jerry Orbach's widow Elaine to the 2005 Tony Awards. |
13 | Appeared in episodes of three different series with Jerry Orbach: Law & Order (1990), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) and Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001). |
14 | Performed the song "Razzle Dazzle" from the musical "Chicago" at the 2005 Tony Awards just as the "In Memoriam" section of the show was finishing. The last photo shown during the memorial was that of Jerry Orbach, who was both Martin's costar on Law & Order (1990) and the first person to perform "Razzle Dazzle" in the original Broadway production of "Chicago". |
15 | Has appeared in episodes of three different television series with Sam Waterston: Law & Order (1990), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) and Law & Order: Trial by Jury (2005). |
16 | Along with Jerry Orbach, Fred Dalton Thompson, Carolyn McCormick and Leslie Hendrix, he is one of only five actors to play the same character (Detective Ed Green) on all four New York City-based "Law & Order" series: Law & Order (1990), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001), and Law & Order: Trial by Jury (2005). |
17 | Is on the Board of Trustees for the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation |
18 | He is a graduate of one of the United States' most famous academic art schools, the Buffalo Academy For Visual and Preforming Arts for grades 5-12 |
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1 | From Men's Health: Trusting my own instincts has led me to great places. When I was younger, someone telling me I couldn't do something was like saying, 'Try.' You get mad at them and yourself, because they make you think, I don't know if I really can do it. Maybe they're right. Then the anger feeds you, and next thing you know, you've done exactly what they said you wouldn't do, and a little more. |
2 | From Men's Health: Go back to what's good, what's certain, what's always there. You woke up today. Just start walking. Whatever it is, it'll pass. Time doesn't go backward. That's the one real blessing. It happened; it does you no good to worry. Keep it movin'. |
3 | I want to be remembered as a great actor - and a shining example of humanity. |
4 | I honestly believe there are good things happening in this world, and I'll spend most of my time trying to find them and bring them to light. |
5 | From people magazine 2000: "Real men know how to listen, and real men know how to be honest." |