Jesse L. Martin is an American actor and singer who has achieved success and recognition in various fields of entertainment. He is best known for his role as Tom Collins on Broadway in the musical Rent and performed on television as NYPD Detective Ed Green on Law & Order, Captain Joe West on The Flash, and Professor Alec Mercer on The Irrational.
Jesse L. Martin was born on January 18, 1969, in Rocky Mount, Virginia, U.S. He is the youngest of four sons of Jesse Reed Watkins, a truck driver, and Virginia Price, a college counselor. He was born two months premature and his parents divorced when he was a child. He adopted his stepfather’s surname after his mother remarried.
He attended high school at the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts in Buffalo, New York, where he discovered his passion for acting. He later graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre.
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Jesse L. Martin’s Quick Facts
| Category | Information |
| Full name | Jesse Lamont Martin |
| Date of birth | January 18, 1969 |
| Place of birth | Rocky Mount, Virginia, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Occupation | Actor, singer |
| Net worth | $10 million |
| Relationship status | Single |
| Children | None |
| Education | New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts (BA) |
| Broadway debut | Timon of Athens (1993) |
| Breakthrough role | Tom Collins in Rent (1996) |
| Tony Award nomination | For Rent (1996) |
| Longest-running TV role | Detective Ed Green on Law & Order (1999-2008) |
| Current TV role | Joe West on The Flash (2014-present) |
| Voice acting role | Lucius Fox on The Batman (2004-2008) |
| Co-founder of nonprofit organization | Stockings with Care, which provides holiday gifts for children in need |
| Comic book fan | Named his dog Miles after Miles Morales, the Spider-Man of the Ultimate Marvel universe |
Biography
Jesse L. Martin was born on January 18, 1969, in Rocky Mount, Virginia, U.S. He is the youngest of four sons of Jesse Reed Watkins, a truck driver, and Virginia Price, a college counselor. He was born two months premature and his parents divorced when he was a child. He adopted his stepfather’s surname after his mother remarried.
He attended high school at the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts in Buffalo, New York, where he discovered his passion for acting. He later graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre.
Jesse L. Martin made his Broadway debut in Timon of Athens and then performed in The Government Inspector with Lainie Kazan. In 1996, he landed his breakthrough role as Tom Collins in Jonathan Larson’s musical Rent, which earned him critical acclaim and several awards.
He reprised his role in the West End production of Rent in 1998 and the film adaptation in 2005. He also starred in other musicals such as The Merchant of Venice, Bright Lights Big City, and Tick, Tick… Boom!
Jesse L. Martin is an American actor and singer who is best known for his role as Tom Collins on Broadway in the musical Rent and performed on television as NYPD Detective Ed Green on Law & Order, Captain Joe West on The Flash, and Professor Alec Mercer on The Irrational.
Jesse L. Martin’s Age
Jesse L. Martin was born on January 18, 1969, in Rocky Mount, Virginia, U.S. He is currently 54 years old and will turn 55 in January 2023.
Jesse L. Martin’s Height
Jesse L. Martin is 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall.
Education
Jesse L. Martin attended high school at the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts in Buffalo, New York. He later enrolled in New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre.
Jesse L. Martin’s Net Worth
Jesse L. Martin has a net worth of approximately $10 million as of 2023. He earns an estimated $100k per episode for his role as Joe West on The Flash1. He has also earned money from his other TV shows, films, and stage productions.
Background
Jesse L. Martin is an American actor and singer who has achieved success and recognition in various fields of entertainment. He is best known for his role as Tom Collins on Broadway in the musical Rent and performed on television as NYPD Detective Ed Green on Law & Order, Captain Joe West on The Flash, and Professor Alec Mercer on The Irrational.
Jesse L. Martin was born on January 18, 1969, in Rocky Mount, Virginia, U.S. He is the youngest of four sons of Jesse Reed Watkins, a truck driver, and Virginia Price, a college counselor. He was born two months premature and his parents divorced when he was a child. He adopted his stepfather’s surname after his mother remarried.
He attended high school at the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts in Buffalo, New York, where he discovered his passion for acting. He later graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre.
Early Life
Jesse L. Martin was born Jesse Lamont Watkins to Jesse Reed Watkins and Virginia Price. His father was a truck driver and his mother was a college counselor. He was born two months premature and his parents divorced when he was a child. His mother remarried and Martin adopted his stepfather’s surname. He has three older brothers.
When Jesse L. Martin was in grade school, the family relocated to Buffalo, New York. He was shy and insecure about his Southern accent until he joined an after-school drama program and discovered his talent for acting. He played the pastor in The Golden Goose and received applause from his classmates and teachers.
Career Beginnings
After graduation from NYU, Jesse L. Martin toured the States with John Houseman’s The Acting Company. He appeared in Shakespeare’s Rock-in-Roles at the Actors Theatre of Louisville and The Butcher’s Daughter at the Cleveland Play House. He returned to Manhattan to perform in local theatre, soap operas, and commercials.
He made his Broadway debut in Timon of Athens and then performed in The Government Inspector with Lainie Kazan. While working as a waiter at the Moondance Diner, he met the playwright Jonathan Larson, who also worked at the restaurant.
In 1996, Larson’s musical Rent took the theatre world by storm, with Martin in the role of gay computer geek/philosophy professor Tom Collins. The 1990s update of Puccini’s La Bohème earned six Drama Desk Awards, five Obie Awards, four Tony Awards, and the Pulitzer Prize.
Jesse L. Martin reprised his role in the West End production of Rent in 1998 and the film adaptation in 2005.
Personal Life
Jesse L. Martin has currently starring as Joe West on The CW’s superhero series The Flash since 2014. He plays the father figure and mentor to Barry Allen (Grant Gustin), who is the titular hero with super speed. He also appeared as Professor Alec Mercer on The Irrational, a sci-fi drama series that premiered on Netflix in 2022.
Jesse L. Martin has never been married and does not have any children.
Jesse L. Martin is very private about his love life and has not revealed any details about his past or present relationships. He has been linked to several women over the years, such as Vanessa Riding (2006), Cynthia Watros (2008), Tara Stewart (2011), and Jessica Camacho (2017), but none of these rumors have been confirmed by him or his representatives.
Award and Recognition
Jesse L. Martin has received several nominations and awards for his work in theatre, film, and television. Some of his notable accolades include:
- Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut for Rent (1996)
- Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for Law & Order (2005)
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Law & Order (2006)
- Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor on Television for The Flash (2015)
Social Media Presence
Jesse L. Martin does not have any official social media accounts. He has said in interviews that he prefers to keep his personal life private and does not use platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.
5 Most Interesting Facts about Jesse L. Martin
- Jesse L. Martin was homeless for a brief period of time before he landed his role in Rent.
- Jesse L. Martin is a singer and has performed in several musicals, albums, and concerts. He sang “I’ll Cover You” with the original Broadway cast of Rent at the 1996 Democratic National Convention.
- Jesse L. Martin is a fan of comic books and superheroes. He named his dog Miles after Miles Morales, the Spider-Man of the Ultimate Marvel universe.
- Jesse L. Martin is a co-founder of the nonprofit organization Stockings with Care, which provides holiday gifts for children in need.
- Jesse L. Martin is a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and has participated in events such as Broadway Bares and Broadway Backwards to raise funds and awareness for HIV/AIDS and equality.
Impact and Legacy
Jesse L. Martin is one of the most versatile and talented actors of his generation. He has made a lasting impact on the entertainment industry with his diverse and memorable roles in theatre, film, and television.
He has also used his fame and influence to advocate for social justice, human rights, and charitable causes. He is an inspiration to many aspiring actors and artists who want to pursue their dreams and passions.
Legal Issues
Jesse L. Martin has not been involved in any major legal issues or controversies in his career. He has maintained a clean and professional image in the public eye.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Jesse L. Martin?
Jesse L. Martin is 54 years old as of 2023. He was born on January 18, 1969.
How tall is Jesse L. Martin?
Jesse L. Martin is 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall.
How much is Jesse L. Martin worth?
Jesse L. Martin has a net worth of approximately $10 million as of 2023.
Is Jesse L. Martin married?
Jesse L. Martin is not married and does not have any children.
Is Jesse L. Martin gay?
Jesse L. Martin is not gay. He played a gay character in the musical Rent, but he is straight in real life.
What is Jesse L. Martin doing now?
Jesse L. Martin has currently starring as Joe West on The CW’s superhero series The Flash since 2014. He also appeared as Professor Alec Mercer on The Irrational, a sci-fi drama series that premiered on Netflix in 2022.
Conclusion
Jesse L. Martin is an American actor and singer who has achieved success and recognition in various fields of entertainment. He is best known for his role as Tom Collins on Broadway in the musical Rent and performed on television as NYPD Detective Ed Green on Law & Order, Captain Joe West on The Flash, and Professor Alec Mercer on The Irrational.
Jesse L. Martin is also a philanthropist, activist, and comic book fan who has a net worth of $10 million as of 2023.
