Meet J. Eddie Martinez | Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with J. Eddie Martinez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi J. Eddie, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
In college, I auditioned for a school play to get extra credit for a speech class, that’s actually how I started acting. In the beginning, I kept acting because it was almost like permission to feel. At that time, I was in the Marine reserves and it felt like anger was the only emotion I had permission to express, but when I was being different characters while acting, I could explore different feelings. That was my why in the beginning. But through the years, I stayed pursuing a career in this art form because I love stories and storytelling. And acting is one piece of a big puzzle of telling a story through film. I love being part of that puzzle.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m proud of several projects I’ve worked on. I’m most proud of Season 3 of The Sinner. It was my first Series Regular role and I got to work side by side great actors who treated me like family. Most recently, a horror short film “Dead End” is special to me because I got to work with all three of my kids and a really talented writer/director Juan Gil. I’m also excited to work with Juan on a contained crime thriller feature he wrote for my youngest daughter Adriana and I called “Survive The Night”. We’re hoping to start working on this in the near future. Last year, I also worked on a feature film with Adriana called “Star People”. It just had its premiere at DWFF and I’m excited for people to see it when it comes out later this year.

Getting to where I am today has been a journey of passion, persistence and the support of the people who believed in me. The challenges in this career are constant. There is rejection, uncertainty, financial strain and moments where you question if you’re truly on the right path, but what helped me overcome those moments were staying grounded in my purpose and remembering my why.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is this: consistency beats perfection and passion has to outlast doubt. You have to keep showing up, even when the doors aren’t opening yet because eventually one will. And when it does, you’ll be ready. I also learned that rejection doesn’t mean you’re not good enough. It just means that role wasn’t meant for you. That shift in mindset helped me take setbacks less personally and see them as part of the process. I also learned to keep training and treat every opportunity big or small with the same level of respect and commitment.

I want the world to know that my story is one of purpose, perseverance, and heart. This path is not easy and I don’t think it’s supposed to be, but every challenge I’ve faced has only deepened my commitment to the work. Behind every performance is someone who has fought hard to be in that moment, someone who didn’t always have certainty but always had passion. I’m here because I believe stories have the power to connect and wake people up. If I’m part of a story that can make someone feel seen, understood or inspired then I’ve done what I came here to do.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When my friends from New York come to visit, the first place, we go is to a restaurant in Koreatown called Escala. A funky Colombian- Korean fusion with a cool atmosphere. Then we head down to Santa Monica for a beach day. Next day, we would probably go to another cool Colombian spot in Long Beach called Selva, then head on over to MOLAA to check out some art. At night we would go dancing at La Descarga in LA. Then if we’re not too tired, next day we would hike to Bridge to Nowhere in the San Gabriel mountains and go bungee jumping. And on the last few days, we would do a two night camping trip in Joshua tree.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First shout out would be to the director who cast me in that college play I auditioned for extra credit. Wilfredo Medina, shortly after that play I started working for his theater company (Family Life Theater). He eventually became more than just a mentor but a close friend, he actually was the best man at my wedding. He opened me to whole new world of creativity and possibilities and he was the first person to see something in me. He believed in me before I believed in myself. To this day, I still think he is one of the best theater directors I have been privileged to work with.

Second shout out would be my wife Jessica. I also met her in college and for me, it was love at first sight. We’ve been together for over twenty years and we have three beautiful kids. She has supported me in every endeavor and crazy idea throughout the years. She is my business manager, social media manager, publicist, reader, life partner, my love and my life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her and our family wouldn’t be what it is today without her. She is the calm to my crazy, the rock that keeps me grounded and a reminder of why I do this.

Instagram: @eddiemartinez11