An accomplished actor and singer who has already made his mark in the worlds of theater, television and film, Jesse L. Martin continues to establish himself by constantly bringing a winning combination of indelible charm, charisma and intensity to his roles. Born on January 19, 1969 in Rocky Mount, Virginia, he became known for his work in theatre, film and television. Overcome with shyness as a child, he was encouraged by one of his teachers to join an after-school drama program and cast him as a pastor in a production of The Golden Goose. He soon emerged from his shell, going on to The Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts. Later, he enrolled in New York University’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts Theatre Program and toured with John Houseman’s The Acting Company. He was soon back in Manhattan and appearing on local theatre, soap operas and several commercials.
Jesse Martin made his debut in Broadway in Timon of Athens, soon landing a role with Lainie Kazan in The Government Inspector. He eventually met the playwright Jonathan Larson, who cast Martin in the role of gay computer geek Tom Collins in the award-winning play Rent. Soon, the actor was cast on the Fox network’s short-lived series 413 Hope St. He was next seen on the independent film Restaurant and was chosen to play roles in Ally McBeal and The X Files. Jesse Martin had tried out for Law & Order for years, winning the minor role of a car-radio thief. He decided to wait for a bigger part, soon approaching series creator Dick Wolf who let him replace actor Benjamin Bratt on the show without an audition. Martin played the character Detective Ed Green on Law & Order from 1999 to his departure in 2008. He was also seen as Ed Green on other shows, like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Law & Order: Trial by Jury. He has been nominated numerous times for his performances, notably by the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Martin was also known for his narration of an episode of American Masters, as well as for his work in 2007’s The Cake Eaters.
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