J. R. Martinez

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J. R. Martinez
J.R. Martinez.jpg
J. R. Martinez in 2008
Born Jose Rene Martinez
(1983-06-14) June 14, 1983 (age 29)
Shreveport, Louisiana, United States
Occupation Actor
Motivational speaker
Soldier (veteran)
Years active 2008–present (acting)
Children Lauryn Anabelle Martinez (b.2012)
Website
http://www.JRMartinez.com/

Jose Rene "J. R." 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]

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.

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Early life [edit]

Martinez was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Maria Zavala.[1] 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.[3] Martinez has never met his father.[4]

At a young age, he moved with his mother to Hope, Arkansas.[1] At 17, they moved to Dalton, Georgia, just prior to his senior year of high school.[1]

Career [edit]

Military career [edit]

 This section, except for two footnotes at the end, includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but the sources of this section, except for two footnotes at the end, remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (October 2012)

In September 2002, Martinez enlisted in the 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 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 cosmetic and skin graft surgeries.[5][6]

Motivational speaking [edit]

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 [edit]

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.[citation needed] In 2012, he appeared on the season six finale of Army Wives as a physical therapist treating injured veterans.[11]

Work with burn-survivor community [edit]

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 [edit]

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.[18]

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 Last to be called 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


Radio [edit]

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]

Personal life [edit]

Martinez lives in Los Angeles with his girlfriend Diana Gonzalez-Jones. On December 17, 2011, Martinez announced that he and his girlfriend were expecting their first child in the spring of 2012. Their daughter Lauryn Anabelle was born May 2, 2012[21] .

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "My Story in My Words". J.R. Martinez (official site). Retrieved October 18, 2012. 
  2. ^ 'Dancing with the Stars' contestant, Iraq war veteran named Rose Parade Grand Marshal, Pasadena Star-News, November 1, 2011
  3. ^ "J. R.'s Story". Knowjr.com. 1983-06-14. Retrieved 2011-10-04. 
  4. ^ "Wounded Veteran and Soap Opera Star to Speak at Clarkson University" (Press release). Clarkson.edu. 2010-02-25. Retrieved 2011-09-20. 
  5. ^ "Cpl. J. R. Martinez, U.S. Army (Ret.)." Bio on SaluteHeroes.org.
  6. ^ "Jr Martinez | J. R. Martinez may appear on "Dancing With the Stars" - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. 2010-11-10. Retrieved 2011-09-20. 
  7. ^ Perseverance Hall of Fame
  8. ^ "Ability Magazine: JR Martinez - Soldiering On" (2008)". Retrieved 2012-04-03. 
  9. ^ "IAVA Heroes Gala 2009" Audio of Martinez's acceptance speech
  10. ^ "Iraq war veteran cast in 'All My Children'" Story on www.upi.com.
  11. ^ Messina, Kim (2012 [last update]). "Army Wives Blog: 'Dancing With the Stars' Winner J.R. Martinez to Star on Season 6! - Army Wives Blog | myLifetime.com". mylifetime.com. Retrieved 11 September 2012. 
  12. ^ a b "J. R. Martinez Fighting the Battle of a Lifetime" Burn Support News, Fall 2008
  13. ^ Phoenix Society Board of Directors web page
  14. ^ "J. R. Martinez Fighting the Battle of a Lifetime" Burn Support News, Fall 2008
  15. ^ "J. R. Martinez Burn Recovery: From Coma to 'Dancing With The Stars'" ABC News Medical Unit, October 11, 2011
  16. ^ "JVideo! J. R. Martinez Reaches Out to Burn Survivors in New PSA" extratv @.warnerbros website Stars Give Back, October 10, 2011
  17. ^ a b Carter, Gayle Jo (28 March 2013). "Cause Celeb: J.R. Martinez". USA Today Weekend. Retrieved 7 April 2013. 
  18. ^ Citation
  19. ^ "J.R. MARTINEZ FILLS IN FOR BILL CARROLL". Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. Retrieved February 17, 2013. 
  20. ^ "KFI AM 640 Welcomes J.R. Martinez". Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. Retrieved February 17, 2013. 
  21. ^ "J.R. Martinez and His Girlfriend Welcome Baby Girl". TV Guide. Retrieved 2012-10-29. 

External links [edit]

Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Hines Ward & Kym Johnson		 Dancing with the Stars (US) winner
Season 13 (Autumn 2011 with Karina Smirnoff)		 Succeeded by
Donald Driver & Peta Murgatroyd
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