J.R. Martinez American actor, motivator and former US Army soldier Date of Birth: 14.06.1983 Country: USA

Biography of J.R. Martinez

J.R. Martinez is an American actor, motivator, and former soldier of the US Army. He was born in Shreveport, Louisiana and was raised by his mother, Maria Zavala. Martinez's father, Jose, was not present in his life. At the age of 9, Martinez and his mother moved to Hope, Arkansas, and later to Dalton, Georgia.

During his high school years, Martinez excelled in football until a serious injury ended his hopes of playing professionally. In September 2002, Martinez joined the US Army and underwent training at Fort Benning, Georgia. In 2003, while serving in Iraq, Martinez was severely injured during combat, with over 40% of his body burned. His injuries occurred when his jeep ran over a mine. He was sent to a medical center in San Antonio, Texas, where he underwent 33 surgeries over a period of 34 months.

During his recovery, Martinez discovered his talent for public speaking and motivational speaking. He began giving lectures to veterans, students, and corporate audiences. His ability to connect with people and provide support became widely recognized. In particular, Martinez had a strong impact on burn victims, as he could relate to their experiences firsthand.

In 2008, Martinez received the title of "Shining Star of Perseverance" from the insurance group "WillReturn Council of Assurant Employee Benefits." The following year, he received an award from the non-profit group "Afghanistan Veterans of America." His work has been acknowledged by prominent American publications and TV shows, including The Washington Post, People, CNN's Sunday Morning, and the popular news program "60 Minutes."

In 2008, Martinez landed the role of Brot Monroe in the ABC soap opera "All My Children." Monroe's character partially overlaps with Martinez's own biography, as both served in the US Army and were injured during combat. Currently, Martinez is participating in the popular TV show "Dancing with the Stars," where his partner is Karina Smirnoff. Interestingly, Martinez has previously used the show as a platform for his charitable activities, and one of the episodes featured Jenna Bullen, another burn victim who received support from Martinez.