Jesse L. Martin (produced Jesse Lamont Watkins; January 18, 1969) is an American actor and vocalist. He appeared in Shakespeare’s Rock-in-Characters in the Actors Theater of Louisville and The Butcher’s Daughter in The Cleveland Play House, and returned to Manhattan to perform in local theater, soap operas, and advertisements. Finding that auditions, regional theater, and bit parts were no solution to support himself, Martin waited tables at several eateries across town. He was actually serving a pizza when his appearance on CBS’s Guiding Light aired in an identical eatery. While the show aired, the entire waitstaff assembled round the pub television to encourage his performance. Frequently, through the dinner rush, he broke out in tune. When he gave his customers their dinner checks, he told them to “keep it, because someday I Will be famous!” A lot of his coworkers in the eateries continue to check out his career and therefore are considered his early “fan club”. Martin made his Broadway debut in Timon of Athens, and after that performed in The Government Inspector with Lainie Kazan. While employed in the Moondance Diner, he met the playwright Jonathan Larson, who also worked on the restaurant’s staff. In 1996, Larson’s musical Rent took the theater world by storm, with Martin in the part of gay computer geek/philosophy professor Tom Collins. In 1998, the West End production of RENT opened with four of the first cast members, including Martin.
Jesse Lamont Watkins , Jesse Lamont Martin , Jesse Martin
Awards
Obie Award for Special Citations
Nominations
Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards - Best Song, Critics Choice Award - Best Acting Ensemble (2006), Image Awards, OFTA Film Award, Screen Actors Guild Awards
Movies
“Long Live TOY” (2013), “The Cake Eaters” (2007), “Peter and Vandy” (2009), “Joyful Noise” (2012)
TV Shows
"Rent" (2005), "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1999-2000), “The X-Files: The Unnatural” (1999), "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (2001), "The Philanthropist" (2009), "The Flash" (2014-)
Star Sign
Capricorn
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Trademark
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Deep rolling voice
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Quote
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From Men's Health: Trusting my own instincts has led me to great places. When I was younger, someone telling me I couldn't do something was like saying, 'Try.' You get mad at them and yourself, because they make you think, I don't know if I really can do it. Maybe they're right. Then the anger feeds you, and next thing you know, you've done exactly what they said you wouldn't do, and a little more.
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From Men's Health: Go back to what's good, what's certain, what's always there. You woke up today. Just start walking. Whatever it is, it'll pass. Time doesn't go backward. That's the one real blessing. It happened; it does you no good to worry. Keep it movin'.
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I want to be remembered as a great actor - and a shining example of humanity.
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I honestly believe there are good things happening in this world, and I'll spend most of my time trying to find them and bring them to light.
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From people magazine 2000: "Real men know how to listen, and real men know how to be honest."
He and Ani Difranco graduated from high school, together.
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Attended the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute.
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Returning back to Buffalo, N.Y., to work on an independent film, in October of 2006, his luggage was stolen from an SUV as he signed autographs in a restaurant. Martin's belongings have not been returned.
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The storyline of "Detective Ed Green" being shot in the line of duty was written into the Law & Order (1990) script so that during his "recovery", Jesse could be in San Fransisco to film Rent (2005).
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On April 2, 2006, Martin was a featured guest at the awards ceremony of the SunDeis Film Festival at Brandeis University. Martin, introduced to a standing ovation, presented his Law & Order (1990) co-star S. Epatha Merkerson with the first-ever SunDeis Entertainer of the Year Award, the highlight of the festival weekend.
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Tom Collins and Angel Dumott Schunard, his character and character's boyfriend in Rent, take their last names from their characters counterparts in La Boheme. Tom Collins (known simply as Collins) is based on Colline, and Angel is based on Schaunard.
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In Law & Order (1990), he works with Jerry Orbach, who played "Billy Flynn" in the original cast of "Chicago". In "Rent", (play and film) he works with Taye Diggs, who played the band leader in the 2002 film, and briefly played "Flynn" himself in late 2002 during the Broadway revival.
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Currently preparing two one-man shows: "Fiend" and an untitled piece based on the life of Marvin Gaye.
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Almost Graduated from NYU
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Worked at the Moondance Diner in New York City with Jonathan Larson.
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Accompanied Jerry Orbach's widow Elaine to the 2005 Tony Awards.
Performed the song "Razzle Dazzle" from the musical "Chicago" at the 2005 Tony Awards just as the "In Memoriam" section of the show was finishing. The last photo shown during the memorial was that of Jerry Orbach, who was both Martin's costar on Law & Order (1990) and the first person to perform "Razzle Dazzle" in the original Broadway production of "Chicago".
performer: "Seasons of Love", "Rent", "Today 4 U", "Life Support", "Another Day/No Day But Today reprise", "Will I?", "Santa Fe", "I'll Cover You", "La Vie Boheme", "Goodbye Love", "Finale B/No Day But Today", "Seasons of Love B Reprise", "La Vie Boheme B Reprise", "I'll Cover You Reprise/Seasons Of Love"
The 59th Annual Tony Awards
2005
TV Special performer: "Razzle Dazzle"
A Christmas Carol: The Musical
2004
TV Movie performer: "Nothing to Do With Me Pt. 2", "Abundance and Charity", "Christmas Together", "What a Day, What a Sky" - uncredited
Rocky Horror 25: Anniversary Special
2000
TV Movie performer: "Science Fiction/Double Feature"
The 54th Annual Tony Awards
2000
TV Special performer: "A Tony Opening"
Ally McBeal
1998-1999
TV Series performer - 3 episodes
Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Letter Carrier
2016
Short completed
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Letter Carrier
2016
Short completed
Casting Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Letter Carrier
2016
Short casting completed
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Letter Carrier
2016
Short executive producer completed
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Battlestar Galactica: The Phenomenon
2008
TV Short documentary special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
IMDb at San Diego Comic-Con
2016
TV Series
Himself
The Fastest Man Alive
2015
Short
Himself
The Talk
2015
TV Series
Himself
DC Comics Night at Comic-Con 2014 Presenting Gotham, the Flash, Constantine and Arrow
2014
Video short
Himself - Det. Joe West
IMDb: What to Watch
2014
TV Series documentary
Himself
Long Live TOY, Defending Children's Theatre in the Nickel City
2012
Documentary
For Love of Liberty: The Story of America's Black Patriots
2010
TV Movie documentary voice
Live with Kelly and Michael
2005-2009
TV Series
Himself / Himself - Co-Host
TV Land Moguls
2009
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself
Rent: The Final Curtain Call
2009
Video documentary short
Himself
Rent: The Final Days on Broadway
2009
Video documentary short
Himself
Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway
2008
TV Movie
Himself (uncredited)
Rachael Ray
2006-2008
TV Series
Himself
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
2002-2007
TV Series
Himself
38th NAACP Image Awards
2007
TV Special
Himself
Comic Relief 2006
2006
TV Special documentary
Himself
37th NAACP Image Awards
2006
TV Special
Himself
Starz on the Set: Rent
2006
TV Short
Himself
The 63rd Annual Golden Globe Awards
2006
TV Movie documentary
Himself - Presenter: Best Actress in a Television Series - Drama
The 11th Annual Critics' Choice Awards
2006
TV Movie documentary
Himself - Presenter
No Day But Today: The Story of 'Rent'
2006
Video documentary
Himself
The 15th Annual Gotham Awards
2005
TV Special
Himself - Presenter
The Tony Danza Show
2005
TV Series
Himself
The View
2005
TV Series
Himself
Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show
2005
TV Series
Himself
Today
2005
TV Series
Himself
The 59th Annual Tony Awards
2005
TV Special
Himself - Performer
Jerry Orbach Tribute
2005
Video short
Himself
Broadway: The American Musical
2004
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself
Apollo at 70: A Hot Night in Harlem
2004
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Law & Order: Profile - Jesse L. Martin
2004
Video documentary short
Ed Green
35th NAACP Image Awards
2004
TV Special
Himself
Late Night with Conan O'Brien: 10th Anniversary Special
2003
TV Special
Himself
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
1996-2002
TV Series
Himself / Himself - Cast of Rent
8th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards
2002
TV Special
Himself
The Making and Meaning of 'We Are Family'
2002
Documentary
Himself
7th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards
2001
TV Special
Himself
Rocky Horror 25: Anniversary Special
2000
TV Movie
Himself
The 54th Annual Tony Awards
2000
TV Special
Himself - Performer
The Daily Show
2000
TV Series
Himself
Larry King Live
2000
TV Series
Himself
31st NAACP Image Awards
2000
TV Special
Himself
The 51st Annual Tony Awards
1997
TV Special
Himself - Performer
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1996
TV Movie
Himself
The More You Know
1989
TV Series
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Broadway: The American Musical
2004
TV Mini-Series documentary
Tom Collins
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2008
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Law & Order (1990)
2007
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Law & Order (1990)
2006
Critics Choice Award
Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards
Best Song
Rent (2005)
2006
Critics Choice Award
Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards
Best Acting Ensemble
Rent (2005)
2006
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Law & Order (1990)
2006
OFTA Film Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Music, Adapted Song
Rent (2005)
2005
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Law & Order (1990)
2004
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Law & Order (1990)
2004
Actor
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
Law & Order (1990)
2002
Actor
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
Law & Order (1990)
2001
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Law & Order (1990)
2001
Actor
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
Law & Order (1990)
2000
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Law & Order (1990)
2000
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Ally McBeal (1997)
2000
Actor
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series