ActorMartinez

 Whenyou first meet Martinez, you would never guess under his sly smile heis one of the most authentic talented character actors coming up inHollywood. I met him in an acting class byaccident. I was there to meet Randy Becker, a cool, brilliant actingcoach in Hollywood that I had been doing business with.Although my attention was on Randy, a distinct whiskey sounding voicewas whipping out one line jokes from the back of the room, I turnedaround to look. 

It’s obviousthis guy has a quick sense of humor. Sitting in his gray pull-oversweatshirt he was hidden in the dark. Being from LA and being aroundactors for most of my professional life; I would say I have heard andseen it all. I thought at first, he may just be like every outspoken,wise cracking surly actor. Until he got up to perform. 

Martinezplayed a Network TV Station owner furious from the uncontrollableantics of the host of his TV show. Once he was in character I was takenaway immediately. Transforming himself completely into this character,every movement, nuance and breath was convincing. I could not take myeyes off of him; he was hypnotizing. He held his anger in, withmomentary outburst he was full of surprises. His voice is gravelly witha pitchy quality to it. I wanted to know more about him, and so Italked to him after his scene. Born in Miami, raised in Jacksonville,Martinez originally had dreams of winning a national championship withthe University of Miami Hurricanes.

Whenhis Football dreams were thwarted, he chose instead to enroll inStetson University's Pre-Law Program. Although he had an intensepassion for the law, and devoured justice as a second nature languageto him; it wasn’t quite the fit he had anticipated. On a $20 bet duringhis 1st semester, Martinez auditioned for the school play and was castin the hit comedy: "Beau Jest". He found his expression was being theseeccentric characters and knew there was nothing else for him but acting.

Martinezauditioned for and was accepted into the top ranked Boston UniversityB.F.A. conservatory program. He became classmates with the likes ofGinnifer Goodwin (Big Love, He's just not that into you, Walk the line,ED) and Wayne Willcox (Rent, Gilmore Girls). His rich heritage beinghalf Dominican and half Puerto Rican gives him a unique look with hislight green eyes and curly light hair, and an impassioned fire in hisbelly that he gives away whole heartedly. I likened what I saw of himon stage as to ‘Lev Grossman’ in Tropic Thunder played by the one and only Tom Cruise. You don’t look away for a second, not wanting to miss a thing.

 
Throwinghimself 100% into his portrayals on screen, he has been cast as thetyrant Pontius Pilate in Warner Bros Film “Color of The Cross:Resurrection” as a supporting role, a killer in the film Actual Images,"The Valley Murder Tapes", a supporting role in the film “Breaking It”,and in FOX’s “Prison Break” as an irritated Dade County police officer.He has been nominated for “Best Actor” in the film, “Dan Gordon”,principal character in the film “The Creek” an intense horror film anda dizzying list of theatrical performances.

Managedby Healy Artists, he has been busy with various projects including BillFolman’s latest comedy short. Bill Folam, writer and director andauthor of THE SCANDAL PLAN or: How to Win the Presidency by Cheating OnYour Wife has said; "Martinez is a force of nature, an actor whosecharacters are filled with life, passion, and a sense of play. He isalso smart, dedicated, a consummate professional and everything adirector could hope for in an actor."

Martinezis a consummate comic as well as a twisted Tarantino-type intellect.His range is limitless and I believe he belongs no where else butleaving his heart on the screen for all of us to savor. This type ofother-worldly authentic talent comes around only every so often in ourgeneration. Nobody really knows howactors are discovered in Hollywood, but many great performances tightenthe race to A list. I'm placing a bet on Martinez to be one of them.

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