J. R. Martinez
| J. R. Martinez | |
|---|---|
 J. R. Martinez in 2008 |
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| Born | Jose Rene Martinez June 14, 1983 Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor Motivational speaker Soldier (veteran) |
| Years active | 2008–present (acting) |
| Website | |
| http://www.KnowJR.com/ | |
Jose Rene "J. R." Martinez (born June 14, 1983) 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. On November 1st, 2011, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association picked Martinez as the Grand Marshal of the 2012 Rose Parade.[1]. On December 17, 2011, J.R. announced that he and his girlfriend Diana Gonzalez-Jones are expecting their first child, a daughter, in the spring of 2012.
In 2003, Martinez sustained severe burns to over 40 percent of his body while serving as a United States Army infantryman in Iraq. Following his recovery, he has traveled around the country speaking about his experiences to corporations, veterans groups, schools, and other organizations.
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[edit] Early life
Martinez was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on June 14, 1983, to Maria Zavala. His mother is Salvadoran and his father is African American. He has two sisters who were raised with his mother's family in El Salvador, and his sister Anabel died before Martinez ever had the chance to meet her.[2] Martinez has never met his father..[3]
At nine years old, Martinez moved with his mother to Hope, Arkansas. At 17, just before his senior year of high school, he moved to Dalton, Georgia, and played strong safety for the Dalton High School Catamounts. In his senior year, Martinez suffered an injury that derailed his dream to play professional football.[2]
[edit] Career
[edit] Military career
In September 2002, Martinez enlisted in the United States Army and underwent Basic and Advanced Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he acquired skills as an 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 serving as a driver of a Humvee when the driver's side front tire hit an IED; he suffered smoke inhalation and severe burns to more than 40 percent of his body. He was evacuated to Ramstein AB, Germany, for immediate care and transferred to Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, Texas. He spent 34 months at BAMC and has undergone 33 cosmetic and skin-graft surgeries.[4][5]
[edit] Motivational speaking
During his time in recovery, a nurse asked him to speak to a burn patient, who had just seen his body for the first time and had become withdrawn. After an approximate 45-minute visit, the patient opened the curtain letting light into his room. J. R. then understood the impact he had on this patient and decided to use his experience to help others, visiting with several of the patients in the hospital, sharing his story and listening to theirs.
He is called on by a wide range of groups, including large corporations, veterans groups, non-profits and schools, and has shared the stage with the likes of global self-help guru Tony Robbins and Evangelist Dave Roever. In 2008, Martinez was honored as a "Shining Star of Perseverance" by the WillReturn Council of Assurant Employee Benefits.[6] In 2009 Martinez was honored by the non-profit Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) with the Veterans Leadership Award, given in recognition of his dedication to our nation's newest generation of veterans.[7] Martinez has been featured in The Washington Post,[8] People magazine,[9] on CNN's Sunday Morning,[10] on TV show 60 Minutes, and other major national news outlets. He was the grand marshall of the 2012 Rose Parade.
[edit] Acting career
In 2008, Martinez was cast in ABC's daytime drama, All My Children in the role of Brot Monroe.[11] His character also served with the U.S. Army in Iraq and was injured in combat. Martinez first appeared on the program on Friday, November 7, 2008.[12]
[edit] Work in Burn Survivor community
Martinez first began providing support to fellow burn survivors while being treated for his burn injuries at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio Texas. [13] Presently he serves as a member of the Board of Directors of The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors. [14] He first attended the Phoenix Society's World Burn Congress in 2008, [15] and was a featured speaker at the 2010 World Burn Congress. [16] Martinez has 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. [17] [18]
[edit] 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’ 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.[19]
| Week # | Dance/Song | Judges' score | Result | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inaba | Goodman | Tonioli | |||
| 1 | Viennese Waltz/ "Breakaway" | 8 | 7 | 7 | Safe |
| 2 | Jive/"Jump, Jive An' Wail!" | 7 | 7 | 8 | Safe |
| 3 | Rumba/"If You're Reading This" | 9 | 8 | 9 | Safe |
| 4 | Foxtrot/Theme from "The Pink Panther" | 8 | 9 | 9 | Safe |
| 5 | Samba/"Conga" | 9 | 9 | 10 | Safe |
| 6 | Quickstep/"Hot Honey Rag" from Chicago | 10 | 9 | 10 | Safe |
| 7 | Tango/Theme from "Ghostbusters" | 9 | 8 | 8 | Safe |
| Team Tango/"Disturbia" | 8 | 7 | 8 | ||
| 8 | Waltz/"What the World Needs Now" | 10 | 10 | 10 | Safe |
| Jive/"Tutti Fruiti" | 10 | 10 | 10 | ||
| 9 | Paso Doble/"Theme from The Legend of Zorro" | 8 | 7 | 8 | Safe |
| Argentine Tango/"Bust Your Windows" | 9 | 9 | 9 | ||
| Cha-Cha-Cha Relay/"I Like How It Feels" | Awarded | 6 | Points | ||
| 10 | Cha-Cha-Cha/"Let's Get Loud" | 8 | 7 | 9 | WINNER |
| Freestyle/"Whine Up" | 10 | 10 | 10 | ||
| Jive/"Jump, Jive An' Wail!" | Awarded | 28 | Points | ||
| Samba/"Shake Your Bon-Bon" | 10 | 10 | 10 | ||
[edit] References
- ^ 'Dancing with the Stars' contestant, Iraq war veteran named Rose Parade Grand Marshal, Pasadena Star-News, November 1, 2011
- ^ a b "J. R.'s Story". Knowjr.com. 1983-06-14. http://www.knowjr.com/about/jrs-story. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
- ^ "Wounded Veteran and Soap Opera Star to Speak at Clarkson University" (Press release). Clarkson.edu. 2010-02-25. http://www.clarkson.edu/news/2010/news-release_2010-02-25-1.html. Retrieved 2011-09-20.
- ^ "Cpl. J. R. Martinez, U.S. Army (Ret.)." Bio on SaluteHeroes.org.
- ^ "Jr Martinez | J. R. Martinez may appear on "Dancing With the Stars" - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. 2010-11-10. http://articles.latimes.com/2011/aug/29/news/la-heb-jr-martinez-dancing-with-the-stars-20110829. Retrieved 2011-09-20.
- ^ Perseverance Hall of Fame
- ^ "IAVA Heroes Gala 2009" Audio of Martinez's acceptance speech
- ^ "Seeing Past the Scars of Battle" Story on WashingtonPost.com.
- ^ "The War in Iraq Five Years Later" Archive Story on People.com.
- ^ "CNN Sunday Morning" Transcripts from CNN.com.
- ^ "Iraq war veteran cast in 'All My Children'" Story on www.upi.com.
- ^ "ABC’S “ALL MY CHILDREN” CASTS IRAQ WAR VETERAN JR MARTINEZ"
- ^ "J. R. Martinez Fighting the Battle of a Lifetime" Burn Support News, Fall 2008
- ^ Phoenix Society Board of Directors web page
- ^ "J. R. Martinez Fighting the Battle of a Lifetime" Burn Support News, Fall 2008
- ^ "J. R. Martinez Fighting the Battle of a Lifetime" Burn Support News, Fall 2008
- ^ "J. R. Martinez Burn Recovery: From Coma to 'Dancing With The Stars'" ABC News Medical Unit, October 11, 2011
- ^ "JVideo! J. R. Martinez Reaches Out to Burn Survivors in New PSA" extratv @.warnerbros website Stars Give Back, October 10, 2011
- ^ Citation
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: J.R. Martinez |
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Hines Ward & Kym Johnson |
Dancing with the Stars (US) winner Season 13 (Autumn 2011 with Karina Smirnoff) |
Succeeded by Current |
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- 1983 births
- Actors from Louisiana
- African American actors
- American military personnel of the Iraq War
- American motivational speakers
- American people of Salvadoran descent
- American soap opera actors
- American television actors
- Hispanic and Latino American actors
- Living people
- People from Shreveport, Louisiana
- Reality show winners
- United States Army soldiers
