J. R. Martinez Explained

J. R. Martinez
Birth Date:14 June 1983
Birth Place:Shreveport, Louisiana, US
Birth Name:Jose Rene Martinez
Website:http://www.JRMartinez.com/
Occupation:Actor
motivational speaker
soldier (veteran)
Years Active:2008–present (acting)
Children:2
Module:
Embed:yes
Allegiance:United States
Serviceyears:2002–2003
Awards:Combat Action Ribbon (Needs Review – Awarded by United States Navy – United States Marine Corps – United States Coast Guard)

Jose Rene Martinez (born June 14, 1983)[1] is an American actor, motivational speaker, and former U.S. Army soldier. Starting in 2008, he played the role of Brot Monroe on the ABC daytime drama All My Children. He is the winner of Season 13 of ABC's Dancing with the Stars. Martinez served as the Grand Marshal of the 2012 Rose Parade.[2] He also costarred on the syndicated action series SAF3.

In 2003, Martinez sustained severe burns to over 34 percent of his body while serving as an Army infantryman in Iraq. Since his recovery, he has traveled around the country speaking about his experiences to corporations, veterans groups, schools, and other organizations.

Early life

Martinez was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Maria Zavala. He has two sisters who were raised with his mother's family in El Salvador. His sister Anabel died before Martinez ever had the chance to meet her.[3] Martinez has never met his father.[4] At a young age, he moved with his mother to Hope, Arkansas. At 17, just prior to his senior year of high school, they moved to Dalton, Georgia.

Career

Military career

In September 2002, Martinez enlisted in the Army and underwent Basic and Advanced Training at Fort Moore, Georgia, where, upon his graduation, was assigned the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 11B (Infantryman). After reporting to Fort Campbell in January 2003, he was assigned to Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division.

In February 2003, he was deployed to the Middle East. Two months later, Martinez was driving a Humvee when its left front tire hit an IED; Martinez suffered smoke inhalation and severe burns to more than 34 percent of his body. He was evacuated to Ramstein AB, Germany, for immediate care and transferred to the Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, Texas. He spent 34 months at BAMC and has undergone 33 plastic surgery and skin graft surgeries.[5] [6]

Motivational speaking

Martinez has become a motivational speaker. In 2008, he was honored as a "Shining Star of Perseverance" by the WillReturn Council of Assurant Employee Benefits.[7] [8] The following year, the nonprofit Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) presented him with the Veterans Leadership Award.[9]

Acting career

In 2008, Martinez was cast in ABC's daytime drama All My Children as Brot Monroe.[10] His character also served with the Army in Iraq and was injured in combat. Martinez first appeared on the program on Friday, November 7, 2008. In 2012, he appeared on the season six finale of Army Wives as a physical therapist treating injured veterans.[11] In 2013, he began on the syndicated SAF3 portraying a Los Angeles County Firefighter/Paramedic and veteran USAF Pararescue Jumper Alfonso Rivera.

Work with burn-survivor community

Martinez first began providing support to fellow burn survivors while being treated for his burn injuries at Brooke Army Medical Center.[12] He has served as a member of the board of directors of The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors.[13] He first attended the Phoenix Society's World Burn Congress in 2008 and was a featured speaker at the 2010 World Burn Congress.[12] [14] Martinez had a fellow burn survivor, Jenna Bullen, attend taping of "Dancing with the Stars" as his guest and has taped a public service announcement with her on behalf of the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors.[15] [16] Martinez is also active with "Operation Finally Home", an organization that builds housing for American veterans and their families so they may live mortgage-free.[17] Said Martinez of the project: “We’re not just giving them keys to open up the door to go into their home. We’re also giving them the key to opportunity, the key to know there are people who appreciate them, the key to positivity, the key to new beginnings.” [17]

Dancing with the Stars

Martinez often tells the story of how his mother helped him relearn to walk eight weeks after major foot surgery. Martinez's win also marked the first win for his partner, Karina Smirnoff. He credits her with pushing him to excel in routine after routine leading him to win the competition.[18]

Week #Dance/SongJudges' scoreResult
InabaGoodmanTonioli
1Viennese Waltz/ "Breakaway"877Safe
2Jive/"Jump, Jive An' Wail!"778Safe
3Rumba/"If You're Reading This"989Safe
4Foxtrot/Theme from "The Pink Panther"899Safe
5Samba/"Conga"9910Safe
6Quickstep/"Hot Honey Rag" from Chicago10910Safe
7Tango/Theme from "Ghostbusters"988Safe
Team Tango/"Disturbia"878
8Waltz/"What the World Needs Now"101010Safe
Jive/"Tutti Fruiti"101010
9Paso Doble/"Theme from The Legend of Zorro"878Last to be called Safe
Argentine Tango/"Bust Your Windows"999
Cha-Cha-Cha Relay/"I Like How It Feels"Awarded6Points
10Cha-Cha-Cha/"Let's Get Loud"879WINNER
Freestyle/"Whine Up"101010
Jive/"Jump, Jive An' Wail!"Awarded28Points
Samba/"Shake Your Bon-Bon"101010

Radio

Martinez's first appearance as a radio host was December 21, 2012, when he stood in for Bill Carroll of KFI-AM 640.[19] On January 24, 2013, he began his regularly scheduled radio show on Sunday evenings.[20]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: My Story in My Words. J.R. Martinez (official site). October 18, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121002025604/http://jrmartinez.com/bio/. October 2, 2012. dead.
  2. http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_19239354 'Dancing with the Stars' contestant, Iraq war veteran named Rose Parade Grand Marshal
  3. Web site: J. R.'s Story. Knowjr.com. June 14, 1983. October 4, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20111006050630/http://www.knowjr.com/about/jrs-story. October 6, 2011.
  4. Wounded Veteran and Soap Opera Star to Speak at Clarkson University. Clarkson.edu. February 25, 2010. September 20, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111125033625/http://www.clarkson.edu/news/2010/news-release_2010-02-25-1.html. November 25, 2011. dead.
  5. http://www.saluteheroes.org/cpl-j-r-martinez.html "Cpl. J. R. Martinez, U.S. Army (Ret.)."
  6. Web site: Jr Martinez | J. R. Martinez may appear on "Dancing With the Stars" . Los Angeles Times. November 10, 2010. September 20, 2011.
  7. http://www.assurantemployeebenefits.com/shiningstar/2008Martinez.html Perseverance Hall of Fame
  8. Web site: Ability Magazine: JR Martinez – Soldiering On" (2008). April 3, 2012.
  9. http://iava.org/content/heroes-gala-2009 "IAVA Heroes Gala 2009"
  10. http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2008/10/31/Iraq_war_veteran_cast_in_All_My_Children/UPI-84361225484981/ "Iraq war veteran cast in 'All My Children'"
  11. Web site: Army Wives Blog: 'Dancing With the Stars' Winner J.R. Martinez to Star on Season 6! - Army Wives Blog | myLifetime.com . Kim . Messina . mylifetime.com . 2012 . September 11, 2012.
  12. http://www.phoenix-society.org/downloads/resources/jr_martinez_20110610_163232_5.pdf "J. R. Martinez Fighting the Battle of a Lifetime"
  13. Web site: Phoenix Society Board of Directors web page . October 31, 2011 . April 25, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120425122959/https://www.phoenix-society.org/aboutus/boardoftrustees/boardoftrustees/ . dead .
  14. http://www.phoenix-society.org/downloads/resources/jr_martinez_20110610_163232_5.pdf "J. R. Martinez Fighting the Battle of a Lifetime"
  15. https://abcnews.go.com/Health/LivingWithPain/jr-martinez-burn-recovery-coma-dancing-stars/story?id=14693411&page=2 "J. R. Martinez Burn Recovery: From Coma to 'Dancing With The Stars'"
  16. http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2011/10/video_jr_martinez_reaches_out_to_burn_victims_in_new_psa.php "JVideo! J. R. Martinez Reaches Out to Burn Survivors in New PSA"
  17. Web site: Carter. Gayle Jo. Cause Celeb: J.R. Martinez. https://archive.today/20130630133734/http://www.usaweekend.com/article/20130329/ENTERTAINMENT02/303290009/Cause-Celeb-J-R-Martinez. dead. June 30, 2013. USA Today Weekend. March 28, 2013. April 7, 2013.
  18. Citation
  19. Web site: J.R. MARTINEZ FILLS IN FOR BILL CARROLL. https://archive.today/20130411054049/http://www.kfiam640.com/pages/billcarroll.html?article=10656655. dead. April 11, 2013. Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. February 17, 2013.
  20. Web site: KFI AM 640 Welcomes J.R. Martinez. https://archive.today/20130411061748/http://www.kfiam640.com/pages/jrmartinez.html?article=10726401. dead. April 11, 2013. Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. February 17, 2013.