Jesse L. Martin Biography: Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Awards, Movies, Songs, Girlfriend

Jesse L. Martin is an American actor and singer who became known for the role of Tom Collins in the groundbreaking Broadway musical Rent in 1996.

His transition to television saw him become a fixture on NBC’s Law & Order as Detective Edward “Ed” Green from 1999 to 2008.

Profile

• Full name: Jesse Lamont Watkins
• Date of birth: January 18, 1969
• Age: 56 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Rocky Mount, Virginia, U.S.
• State of origin: Virginia
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Actor, Singer
• Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
• Weight: 185 lbs (84 kg)
• Eye color: Dark Brown
• Hair color: Black
• Parents: Jesse Reed Watkins (father), Virginia Price (mother)
• Siblings: Third of four sons
• Spouse: N/A
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: Single
• Religion: Raised in the Southern Baptist tradition
• Ethnicity: African American
• Net worth: $8 million

Early Life and Education

Jesse L. Martin is now at the age of 56 years old. He was born on January 18, 1969, in Rocky Mount, Virginia, two months premature. His parents, Jesse Reed Watkins, a truck driver, and Virginia Price, a college counselor, divorced during his childhood.

The family relocated to Buffalo, New York, where Martin attended the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts and was voted “Most Talented” in his senior class. He went on to enroll in the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, graduating in 1991.

Personal Life

Martin keeps his personal life private and has never married. In 2006, he was linked to partner Venessa Riding, but the relationship did not lead to marriage, and he remains single. He has no publicly known children and focuses his time on his craft and philanthropy.

Career

After completing his BFA, Martin toured with The Acting Company and performed in regional theatre, including Shakespeare’s Rock-in-Roles and The Butcher’s Daughter.

While waiting tables in Manhattan, he met Rent creator Jonathan Larson and was cast as Tom Collins in the original off-Broadway and Broadway productions in 1996.

His portrayal earned him widespread acclaim and led to his film debut in the 2005 Rent movie. In television, he guest-starred on New York Undercover and Ally McBeal before joining Law & Order as Detective Ed Green in 1999, appearing in 198 episodes until 2008.

He returned to New York theatre in 2010 for Shakespeare in the Park and a Broadway run of The Merchant of Venice. In 2014, Martin was cast as Joe West on The Flash, a role he held through eight seasons and occasional guest appearances in the Arrowverse.

Awards

• Leo Award for Best Musical Score in a Short Drama – The Letter Carrier (2017)
• Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series – Law & Order (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004)
• NAACP Image Award nominations for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series – Law & Order (2000–2008)

Net worth

Jesse L. Martin’s net worth is estimated at $8 million, accrued through his extensive work on Broadway, network television, film appearances, voiceover roles, and guest conventions.

Social Media

• Instagram: @thejessemartin
• X: @JesseL_Martin

Filmography

• Restaurant (1998)
• Season of Youth (2003)
• Rent (2005)
• The Cake Eaters (2007)
• Peter and Vandy (2009)
• Puncture (2011)
• Joyful Noise (2012)
• Long Live TOY (2013)
• The Letter Carrier (Short, 2016)