Jose Rene "J.R." Martinez is an actor, best-selling author, motivational speaker, and U.S. Army veteran. Born on June 14, 1983, in Shreveport, Louisiana, J.R. was raised by his mother, Maria Zavala, in Hope, Arkansas, and later in Dalton, Georgia, where he attended high school and played football.
After high school, J.R. joined the U.S. Army and served in Iraq, where he was severely burned in a roadside bomb attack in 2003. He underwent 33 surgeries and spent 34 months in recovery, during which time he began speaking to burn patients and sharing his story to help others.
J.R.'s experience had a profound impact on him, and he decided to use his story to inspire others. He became a motivational speaker, traveling the country to share his message of resilience and optimism. He has written a New York Times best-selling book, "Full of Heart: My Story of Survival, Strength, and Spirit," and has appeared on numerous television shows, including "Dancing with the Stars," "The Oprah Winfrey Show," and "60 Minutes."
J.R. has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the National Red Cross Spirit Award, the National Disabled American Veteran of the Year Award, and the California DAV of the Year Award. He has also been featured in various publications, including People Magazine, The New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times.
As an actor, J.R. has appeared in several television shows, including "SAF3," "Army Wives," and "All My Children." He has also been a guest on various talk shows, including "Access Live," "Entertainment Tonight," and "The View."
J.R. is a spokesperson for Operation Finally Home, an organization that builds mortgage-free homes for disabled veterans, and is involved with Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, Rebuilding America's Warriors (R.A.W.),and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
