J.R. Martinez
Encyclopedia
Jose Rene "J. R." Martinez (born June 14, 1983) is an American
actor
, motivational speaker
and former U.S. Army soldier
. Since 2008 he has played the role of Brot Monroe on the ABC
daytime drama All My Children
, and was the winner of Season 13
of ABC's Dancing with the Stars. On November 1st, 2011, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses
Association picked Martinez as the Grand Marshal of the 2012 Rose Parade.
In 2003, Martinez sustained severe burns to over 40 percent of his body while serving as a United States Army infantryman in Iraq
. Following his recovery, he has traveled around the country speaking about his experiences to corporations, veterans groups, schools, and other organizations.
, on June 14, 1983, to Maria Zavala. He is of Central American descent. 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. Martinez has never met his father.
At nine years old, Martinez moved with his mother to Hope, Arkansas
. At 17, just before his senior year of high school, he moved to Dalton, Georgia
, and played strong safety for the Dalton High School Catamounts. In his senior year, Martinez suffered an injury that derailed his plans to play professional football.
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 Iraq. Two months later, Martinez was serving as a driver of a Humvee when the driver's side front tire hit an IED; he suffered smoke inhalation and severe burns to more than 40 percent of his body. He was evacuated to Landstuhl, Germany, for immediate care and transferred to Brooke Army Medical Center
(BAMC) in San Antonio, Texas
. He spent 34 months at BAMC and has undergone 33 cosmetic and skin-graft surgeries.
He is called on by a wide range of groups, including large corporations, veterans groups, non-profits and schools, and has shared the stage with the likes of global self-help guru Tony Robbins
and Evangelist Dave Roever. In 2008, Martinez was honored as a "Shining Star of Perseverance
" by the WillReturn Council of Assurant Employee Benefits. In 2009 Martinez was honored by the non-profit Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
(IAVA) with the Veterans Leadership Award, given in recognition of his dedication to our nation's newest generation of veterans. Martinez has been featured in The Washington Post
, People
magazine, on CNN
's Sunday Morning
, on TV show 60 Minutes
, and other major national news outlets.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, motivational speaker
Motivational speaker
A motivational speaker or inspirational speaker is a speaker who makes speeches intended to motivate or inspire an audience. In a business context, they are employed to communicate company strategy with clarity and help employees to see the future in a positive light and inspire workers to pull...
and former U.S. Army soldier
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
. Since 2008 he has played the role of Brot Monroe on the ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
daytime drama All My Children
All My Children
All My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most...
, and was the winner of Season 13
Dancing with the Stars (U.S. season 13)
Dancing with the Stars returned for its thirteenth season on September 19, 2011. Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli returned as the judges, and Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke Charvet returned as hosts. Twelve couples competed in this season...
of ABC's Dancing with the Stars. On November 1st, 2011, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses
Pasadena Tournament of Roses
Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association, created by the efforts of Charles Frederick Holder and Francis F. Rowland, is the non-profit organization that has annually produced the New Year's Day Tournament of Roses Parade since 1895 and the Rose Bowl Game, since 1902...
Association picked Martinez as the Grand Marshal of the 2012 Rose Parade.
In 2003, Martinez sustained severe burns to over 40 percent of his body while serving as a United States Army infantryman in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. Following his recovery, he has traveled around the country speaking about his experiences to corporations, veterans groups, schools, and other organizations.
Early life
Martinez was born in Shreveport, LouisianaShreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
, on June 14, 1983, to Maria Zavala. He is of Central American descent. He has two sisters who were raised with his mother's family in El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
, and his sister Anabel died before Martinez ever had the chance to meet her. Martinez has never met his father.
At nine years old, Martinez moved with his mother to Hope, Arkansas
Hope, Arkansas
Hope is a small city in Hempstead County, Arkansas, United States. According to 2008 United States Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city was 10,378...
. At 17, just before his senior year of high school, he moved to Dalton, Georgia
Dalton, Georgia
Dalton is a city in Whitfield County, Georgia, United States. It is the county seat of Whitfield County and the principal city of the Dalton, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of both Murray and Whitfield counties. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 33,128...
, and played strong safety for the Dalton High School Catamounts. In his senior year, Martinez suffered an injury that derailed his plans to play professional football.
Military career
In September 2002, Martinez enlisted in the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and underwent Basic and Advanced Training at Fort Benning
Fort Benning
Fort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
, Georgia, where he acquired skills as an 11B (Infantryman
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
). After reporting to Fort Campbell
Fort Campbell
Fort Campbell is a United States Army installation located astraddle the Kentucky-Tennessee border between Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and Clarksville, Tennessee...
in January 2003, he was assigned to Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division
101st Airborne Division
The 101st Airborne Division—the "Screaming Eagles"—is a U.S. Army modular light infantry division trained for air assault operations. During World War II, it was renowned for its role in Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, in Normandy, France, Operation Market Garden, the...
.
In February 2003, he was deployed to Iraq. Two months later, Martinez was serving as a driver of a Humvee when the driver's side front tire hit an IED; he suffered smoke inhalation and severe burns to more than 40 percent of his body. He was evacuated to Landstuhl, Germany, for immediate care and transferred to Brooke Army Medical Center
Brooke Army Medical Center
Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio is part of the United States Army Medical Command. It is a University of Texas Health Science Center and USUHS teaching hospital and contains the Army Burn Center....
(BAMC) in San Antonio, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. He spent 34 months at BAMC and has undergone 33 cosmetic and skin-graft surgeries.
Motivational speaking
During his time in recovery, a nurse asked him to speak to a burn patient, who had just seen his body for the first time and had become withdrawn. After an approximate 45-minute visit, the patient opened the curtain letting light into his room. J. R. then understood the impact he had on this patient and decided to use his experience to help others, visiting with several of the patients in the hospital, sharing his story and listening to theirs.He is called on by a wide range of groups, including large corporations, veterans groups, non-profits and schools, and has shared the stage with the likes of global self-help guru Tony Robbins
Tony Robbins
Anthony "Tony" Robbins is an American self-help author and motivational speaker. He became well known through his infomercials and self-help books, Unlimited Power: The New Science Of Personal Achievement and Awaken The Giant Within...
and Evangelist Dave Roever. In 2008, Martinez was honored as a "Shining Star of Perseverance
Shining Star of Perseverance
The Shining Star of Perseverance is awarded annually by the WillReturn Council of Assurant Employee Benefits to honor and recognize individuals and groups who overcome disabilities to succeed in the workplace and society. Award honorees include:...
" by the WillReturn Council of Assurant Employee Benefits. In 2009 Martinez was honored by the non-profit Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America , is an advocacy group dedicated to United States veterans of the War in Iraq and War in Afghanistan. The group claims to be the nation's first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars and has more than 200,000 Member Veterans...
(IAVA) with the Veterans Leadership Award, given in recognition of his dedication to our nation's newest generation of veterans. Martinez has been featured in The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
, People
People (magazine)
In 1998, the magazine introduced a version targeted at teens called Teen People. However, on July 27, 2006, the company announced it would shut down publication of Teen People immediately. The last issue to be released was scheduled for September 2006. Subscribers to this magazine received...
magazine, on CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
's Sunday Morning
CNN Sunday Morning
CNN Sunday Morning is a news program on CNN in the United States hosted by T. J. Holmes. The program is produced in Atlanta and takes a look ahead at the day's top news stories and events. It airs from 6:00 to 7:30am and 8:00am to 9:00am ET....
, on TV show 60 Minutes
60 Minutes
60 Minutes is an American television news magazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation....
, and other major national news outlets.
Acting career
In 2008, Martinez was cast in ABC's daytime drama, All My Children in the role of Brot Monroe. His character also served with the U.S. Army in Iraq and was injured in combat. Martinez first appeared on the program on Friday, November 7, 2008.Work in Burn Survivor community
Martinez first began providing support to fellow burn survivors while being treated for his burn injuries at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio Texas. Presently he serves as a member of the Board of Directors of The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors. He first attended the Phoenix Society's World Burn Congress in 2008, and was a featured speaker at the 2010 World Burn Congress. Martinez has 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.Dancing with the Stars
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.| Week # | Dance/Song | Judges' score | Result | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inaba | Goodman | Tonioli | |||
| 1 | Viennese Waltz Viennese Waltz Viennese Waltz is the genre of a ballroom dance. At least three different meanings are recognized. In the historically first sense, the name may refer to several versions of the waltz, including the earliest waltzes done in ballroom dancing, danced to the music of Viennese Waltz.What is now called... / "Breakaway Breakaway (Kelly Clarkson song) "Breakaway" is a 2004 song co-written by Avril Lavigne, Bridget Benenate and Matthew Gerrard and produced by John Shanks. It was recorded by pop rock singer Kelly Clarkson for the soundtrack to the film The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement by Disney Records, where it quickly became a charting... " |
8 | 7 | 7 | Safe |
| 2 | Jive Jive (dance) In Ballroom dancing, Jive is a dance style in 4/4 time that originated in the United States from African-Americans in the early 1930s. It was originally presented to the public as 'Jive' in 1934 by Cab Calloway. It is a lively and uninhibited variation of the Jitterbug, a form of Swing dance... /"Jump, Jive An' Wail!" |
7 | 7 | 8 | Safe |
| 3 | Rumba Rumba Rumba is a family of percussive rhythms, song and dance that originated in Cuba as a combination of the musical traditions of Africans brought to Cuba as slaves and Spanish colonizers. The name derives from the Cuban Spanish word rumbo which means "party" or "spree". It is secular, with no... /"If You're Reading This If You're Reading This "If You're Reading This" is the title of a song by American country music artist Tim McGraw. The song was first performed at the Academy of Country Music awards, which were held in Las Vegas, Nevada and aired May 15, 2007 on CBS... " |
9 | 8 | 9 | Safe |
| 4 | Foxtrot/Theme from "The Pink Panther The Pink Panther The Pink Panther is a series of comedy films featuring the bungling French police detective Jacques Clouseau that began in 1963 with the release of the film of the same name. The role was originated by, and is most closely associated with, Peter Sellers... " |
8 | 9 | 9 | Safe |
| 5 | Samba Samba Samba is a Brazilian dance and musical genre originating in Bahia and with its roots in Brazil and Africa via the West African slave trade and African religious traditions. It is recognized around the world as a symbol of Brazil and the Brazilian Carnival... /"Conga Conga (song) "Conga" is the first single released by the American band Miami Sound Machine led by Gloria Estefan on their second English language album, and ninth overall, Primitive Love.-Song history:... " |
9 | 9 | 10 | Safe |
| 6 | Quickstep Quickstep The quickstep is a light-hearted member of the standard ballroom dances. The movement of the dance is fast and powerfully flowing and sprinkled with syncopations. The upbeat melodies that quickstep is danced to make it suitable for both formal and informal events... /"Hot Honey Rag" from Chicago |
10 | 9 | 10 | Safe |
| 7 | Tango Tango Tango in its most general sense refers to:*Tango , a social dance form including Argentine, Uruguayan, and international ballroom tango*Tango music, a genre of music that originated in Argentina and Uruguay... /Theme from "Ghostbusters Ghostbusters Ghostbusters is a 1984 American science fiction comedy film directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. The film stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, and Rick Moranis and follows three eccentric parapsychologists in New York City, who start a... " |
9 | 8 | 8 | Safe |
| Team Tango Tango Tango in its most general sense refers to:*Tango , a social dance form including Argentine, Uruguayan, and international ballroom tango*Tango music, a genre of music that originated in Argentina and Uruguay... /"Disturbia Disturbia (song) "Disturbia" is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna, taken from the re-release, Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded , of her third studio album Good Girl Gone Bad . The song was released as the third single from the reloaded edition of the album, and seventh overall... " |
8 | 7 | 8 | ||
| 8 | Waltz Waltz The waltz is a ballroom and folk dance in time, performed primarily in closed position.- History :There are several references to a sliding or gliding dance,- a waltz, from the 16th century including the representations of the printer H.S. Beheim... /"What the World Needs Now What the World Needs Now Is Love "What the World Needs Now Is Love" is a 1965 popular song with lyrics by Hal David and music composed by Burt Bacharach. First recorded and made popular by Jackie DeShannon, it was released on April 15, 1965, on the Imperial label after a release on sister label Liberty records the previous month... " |
10 | 10 | 10 | Safe |
| Jive Jive (dance) In Ballroom dancing, Jive is a dance style in 4/4 time that originated in the United States from African-Americans in the early 1930s. It was originally presented to the public as 'Jive' in 1934 by Cab Calloway. It is a lively and uninhibited variation of the Jitterbug, a form of Swing dance... /"Tutti Fruiti" |
10 | 10 | 10 | ||
| 9 | Paso Doble/"Theme from The Legend of Zorro The Legend of Zorro The Legend of Zorro is a 2005 sequel to The Mask of Zorro , both directed by Martin Campbell. Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones reprise their roles as the titular hero and his spouse, and Rufus Sewell stars as the villain... " |
8 | 7 | 8 | Last to be called Safe |
| Argentine Tango Argentine Tango Argentine tango is a musical genre of simple quadruple metre and binary musical form, and the social dance that accompanies it. Its lyrics and music are marked by nostalgia, expressed through melodic instruments including the bandoneon. Originated at the ending of the 19th century in the suburbs of... /"Bust Your Windows Bust Your Windows "Bust Your Windows" is the second single by R&B singer-songwriter Jazmine Sullivan from her debut Grammy-nominated album Fearless. It was available as a digital download on Amazon.com in the U.S. on the September 16, 2008... " |
9 | 9 | 9 | ||
| Cha-Cha-Cha Relay/"I Like How It Feels I Like How It Feels "I Like How It Feels" is a song by Spanish recording artist Enrique Iglesias taken from the album Euphoria. The song is the first single from the reissue of the album and the eighth overall single. The song also features guest appearance from Cuban rapper Pitbull and producers The WAV.s. It is... " |
Awarded | 6 | Points | ||
| 10 | Cha-Cha-Cha Cha-cha-cha Cha cha cha or Cha Cha Cha may refer to:* Cha-cha-chá , a style of Cuban dance music* Cha-cha-cha , a Latin American dance* Cha-cha-chá , a style of Cuban dance... /"Let's Get Loud Let's Get Loud Let's Get Loud may refer to:*"Let's Get Loud" , a song by Gloria Estefan, kindly given to Jennifer Lopez*Let's Get Loud , a 2001 concert by Jennifer Lopez*Let's Get Loud , a 2003 DVD by Jennifer Lopez... " |
8 | 7 | 9 | WINNER |
| Freestyle Street dance Street dance, more formally known as vernacular dance, is an umbrella term used to describe dance styles that evolved outside of dance studios in any available open space such as streets, dance parties, block parties, parks, school yards, raves, and nightclubs, etc... /"Whine Up Whine Up "Whine Up" is a song by Dominican-American pop/R&B singer Kat DeLuna, released as her debut single from her album 9 Lives. The song features Elephant Man. It was believed that Ivy Queen was featured, but Kat herself provided the rap, rapping at a lower register... " |
10 | 10 | 10 | ||
| Jive Jive (dance) In Ballroom dancing, Jive is a dance style in 4/4 time that originated in the United States from African-Americans in the early 1930s. It was originally presented to the public as 'Jive' in 1934 by Cab Calloway. It is a lively and uninhibited variation of the Jitterbug, a form of Swing dance... /"Jump, Jive An' Wail!" |
Awarded | 28 | Points | ||
| Samba Samba Samba is a Brazilian dance and musical genre originating in Bahia and with its roots in Brazil and Africa via the West African slave trade and African religious traditions. It is recognized around the world as a symbol of Brazil and the Brazilian Carnival... /"Shake Your Bon-Bon Shake Your Bon-Bon "Shake Your Bon-Bon" is the third single taken from the second self-titled album by Ricky Martin. It was released on October 12, 1999.The US maxi-single includes "Almost a Love Song", which is an English version of Martin's song "Casi un Bolero", taken from the Grammy-winning album Vuelve... " |
10 | 10 | 10 | ||