J. R. Martinez | |
|---|---|
 J. R. Martinez in 2008 | |
| Born | Jose Rene Martinez (1983-06-14)June 14, 1983 (age 41) |
| Occupation(s) | Actor motivational speaker soldier (veteran) |
| Years active | 2008–present (acting) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 2002–2003 |
| Rank | SPC |
| Battles / wars | Iraq War |
| Awards | Combat Action Ribbon (Needs Review – Awarded by United States Navy – United States Marine Corps – United States Coast Guard) |
| Website | http://www.JRMartinez.com/ |
Jose Rene Martinez (born June 14, 1983)[1] is an American actor, motivational speaker, and formerU.S. Army soldier. Starting in 2008, he played the role of Brot Monroe on theABC daytime dramaAll My Children. He is the winner ofSeason 13 of ABC'sDancing with the Stars. Martinez served as the Grand Marshal of the2012 Rose Parade.[2] He also costarred on the syndicated action seriesSAF3.
In 2003, Martinez sustained severe burns to over 34 percent of his body while serving as an Armyinfantryman in Iraq. Since his recovery, he has traveled around the country speaking about his experiences to corporations, veterans groups, schools, and other organizations.
Martinez was born inShreveport, Louisiana, to Maria Zavala.[1] He has two sisters who were raised with his mother's family inEl Salvador. His sister Anabel died before Martinez ever had the chance to meet her.[3] Martinez has never met his father.[4] At a young age, he moved with his mother toHope, Arkansas.[1] At 17, just prior to his senior year of high school, they moved toDalton, Georgia.[1]
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In September 2002, Martinez enlisted in the Army and underwent Basic and Advanced Training atFort Moore, Georgia, where, upon his graduation, was assigned the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 11B (Infantryman). After reporting toFort Campbell in January 2003, he was assigned to Delta Company, 2nd Battalion,502nd Infantry Regiment of the101st Airborne Division.
In February 2003, he was deployed to the Middle East. Two months later, Martinez was driving aHumvee when its left front tire hit anIED; Martinez suffered smoke inhalation and severe burns to more than 34 percent of his body. He was evacuated toRamstein AB, Germany, for immediate care and transferred to the Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center atBrooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) inSan Antonio, Texas. He spent 34 months at BAMC and has undergone 33 plastic surgery and skin graft surgeries.[5][6]
Martinez has become a motivational speaker. In 2008, he was honored as a "Shining Star of Perseverance" by the WillReturn Council of Assurant Employee Benefits.[7][8] The following year, the nonprofitIraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) presented him with the Veterans Leadership Award.[9]
In 2008, Martinez was cast in ABC's daytime dramaAll My Children as Brot Monroe.[10] His character also served with the Army in Iraq and was injured in combat. Martinez first appeared on the program on Friday, November 7, 2008.[citation needed] In 2012, he appeared on the season six finale ofArmy Wives as a physical therapist treating injured veterans.[11] In 2013, he began on the syndicatedSAF3 portraying a Los Angeles County Firefighter/Paramedic and veteran USAF Pararescue Jumper Alfonso Rivera.
Martinez first began providing support to fellow burn survivors while being treated for his burn injuries at Brooke Army Medical Center.[12] He has served as a member of the board of directors of The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors.[13] He first attended the Phoenix Society's World Burn Congress in 2008 and was a featured speaker at the 2010 World Burn Congress.[12][14] Martinez 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.[15][16] Martinez is also active with "Operation Finally Home", an organization that builds housing for American veterans and their families so they may live mortgage-free.[17] Said Martinez of the project:“We’re not just giving them keys to open up the door to go into their home. We’re also giving them the key to opportunity, the key to know there are people who appreciate them, the key to positivity, the key to new beginnings.”[17]
Martinez often tells the story of how his mother helped him relearn to walk eight weeks after major foot surgery. Martinez's 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.[18]
| Week # | Dance/Song | Judges' score | Result | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inaba | Goodman | Tonioli | |||
| 1 | Viennese Waltz/ "Breakaway" | 8 | 7 | 7 | Safe |
| 2 | Jive/"Jump, Jive An' Wail!" | 7 | 7 | 8 | Safe |
| 3 | Rumba/"If You're Reading This" | 9 | 8 | 9 | Safe |
| 4 | Foxtrot/Theme from "The Pink Panther" | 8 | 9 | 9 | Safe |
| 5 | Samba/"Conga" | 9 | 9 | 10 | Safe |
| 6 | Quickstep/"Hot Honey Rag" fromChicago | 10 | 9 | 10 | Safe |
| 7 | Tango/Theme from "Ghostbusters" | 9 | 8 | 8 | Safe |
| TeamTango/"Disturbia" | 8 | 7 | 8 | ||
| 8 | Waltz/"What the World Needs Now" | 10 | 10 | 10 | Safe |
| Jive/"Tutti Fruiti" | 10 | 10 | 10 | ||
| 9 | Paso Doble/"Theme fromThe Legend of Zorro" | 8 | 7 | 8 | Last to be called Safe |
| Argentine Tango/"Bust Your Windows" | 9 | 9 | 9 | ||
| Cha-Cha-Cha Relay/"I Like How It Feels" | Awarded | 6 | Points | ||
| 10 | Cha-Cha-Cha/"Let's Get Loud" | 8 | 7 | 9 | WINNER |
| Freestyle/"Whine Up" | 10 | 10 | 10 | ||
| Jive/"Jump, Jive An' Wail!" | Awarded | 28 | Points | ||
| Samba/"Shake Your Bon-Bon" | 10 | 10 | 10 | ||
Martinez's first appearance as a radio host was December 21, 2012, when he stood in forBill Carroll ofKFI-AM 640.[19] On January 24, 2013, he began his regularly scheduled radio show on Sunday evenings.[20]
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Dancing with the Stars (US) winners Season 13 (Fall 2011 withKarina Smirnoff) | Succeeded by |