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VANCOUVER, BC - OCTOBER 22: Actor Jesse L. Martin arrives on the green carpet for the celebration of the 100th Episode of CW's "Arrow" at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel on October 22, 2016 in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Photo by Phillip Chin/Getty Images

Who is Jesse L. Martin’s wife?

Does the actor's love life mirror the tumultuous romantic history of his character in the 'The Irrational'?

Jesse L. Martin is a gem on screen and stage. His work in theater and television has made him a beloved and familiar face to domestic audiences, but his personal life has remained largely a mystery.

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Martin’s break-out role came from the most unexpected of places: a diner where he worked with Rent mastermind Jonathan Larson before either of them ever broke into the musical theater business. Larson cast his co-worker as Tom Collins in 1996, the sweet philosophy professor whose relationship with non-binary musician Angel broke barriers at the time.

After the musical’s runaway success, Martin reprised the role in the film adaptation from 2006. By then, the actor had crossed over into the world of television in one of the most famous shows of all time, Law & Order, where he played Detective Ed Green for nine years. Since 2023, Martin has been busy giving life to a prestigious behavioral psychology professor called Alec Mercer in the NBC show The Irrational.

Is Jesse L. Martin married?

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 19: Actor Jesse L. Martin enters the New York City Center on May 19, 2017 in New York City.
Photo by Ray Tamarra/GC Image/Getty Images

Jesse L. Martin is not married, but little is known, in general, about his personal life. He was linked in the aughts with model Vanessa Riding, but every time the subject has come up Martin has implied he is single.

Talking to Page Six in 2011, the performer said that, following his Law & Order stint, his life then was “out looking for a lady,” adding, “Failing that, I’m willing to settle for a dog.” In an interview with Female from the 2000s, Martin confessed that one of the only things that he could not relate to in the life of his Rent character was his epic romance. “The only thing that eludes me is I haven’t found love in the way that he has.”

Is Jesse L. Martin gay?

SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 23: Actor Jesse L. Martin attends the "The Flash" Special Video Presentation and Q&A during Comic-Con International 2016 at San Diego Convention Center on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California.
Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

The legacy of Tom and Angel, as well as the mystery surrounding Martin’s love life has led many to speculate about his sexuality. The actor has previously briefly mentioned his attraction to women, but this particular topic can change and evolve over time.

Nothing the actor has said in the past indicates he might be gay, but since his private life is y’know, private, there’s really no way of knowing unless he decides to share.


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Author
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Francisca Tinoco
Francisca is a pop culture enthusiast and film expert. Her Bachelor's Degree in Communication Sciences from Nova University in Portugal and Master's Degree in Film Studies from Oxford Brookes University in the UK have allowed her to combine her love for writing with her love for the movies. She has been a freelance writer and content creator for five years, working in both the English and Portuguese languages for various platforms, including WGTC.