J. R. Martinez

Jose Rene Martinez (born June 14, 1983) is an American actor, motivational speaker, and former U.S. Army soldier. Starting in 2008, he played the role of Brot Monroe on the ABC daytime drama All My Children. He is the winner of Season 13 of ABC's Dancing with the Stars. Martinez served as the Grand Marshal of the 2012 Rose Parade. He also costarred on the syndicated action series SAF3.

In 2003, Martinez sustained severe burns to over 34 percent of his body while serving as an Army infantryman in Iraq. Since 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, Louisiana, to Maria Zavala. Martinez has never met his father. At a young age, he moved with his mother to Hope, Arkansas.

Motivational speaking 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. The following year, the nonprofit Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) presented him with the Veterans Leadership Award.

Acting career In 2008, Martinez was cast in ABC's daytime drama All My Children as Brot Monroe. 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. In 2012, he appeared on the season six finale of Army Wives as a physical therapist treating injured veterans. In 2013, he began on the syndicated SAF3 portraying a Los Angeles County Firefighter/Paramedic and veteran USAF Pararescue Jumper Alfonso Rivera.

Work with burn-survivor community Martinez first began providing support to fellow burn survivors while being treated for his burn injuries at Brooke Army Medical Center. He has served 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 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. 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. 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.”

Radio Martinez's first appearance as a radio host was December 21, 2012, when he stood in for Bill Carroll of KFI-AM 640. On January 24, 2013, he began his regularly scheduled radio show on Sunday evenings.

Podcasting In May 2025, Pushkin Industries announced that Martinez would be taking over as host of "Medal of Honor: Stories of Courage," a podcast that tells the stories of recipients of the Medal of Honor.