Jesse L. Martin: Actor and Singer, From Rent to Law & Order and The Flash
Jesse L. Martin is an American actor and singer. He is best known for playing Tom Collins in the Broadway musical Rent (1996) and its 2005 film, Detective Ed Green on Law & Order, and Joe West on The Flash (2014–2023). He then led NBC’s The Irrational (2023–2025), and his next film, PH-1, is due in 2026.
Jesse L. Martin got his breakthrough in the original Broadway cast of Rent, Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning musical. Moving between stage, music and screen has defined his career ever since.
Quick facts about Jesse L. Martin
| Full name | Jesse Lamont Martin (born Jesse Lamont Watkins) |
|---|---|
| Born | January 18, 1969, Rocky Mount, Virginia, U.S. |
| Age | 57 (as of November 2026) |
| Occupation | Actor, singer, producer, director |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Known for | Rent (1996 stage, 2005 film), Law & Order, The Flash (2014–2023), The Irrational (2023–2025) |
| Profiles | Wikipedia · IMDb |
Tom Collins in Rent (1996 and 2005)
Jesse L. Martin became known as Tom Collins in the original 1996 Broadway cast of Rent. The musical moved Puccini’s La Bohème to late-1980s New York during the HIV crisis. Collins is a professor whose love story with Angel, a drag queen, is at the heart of the show.
Before Rent, Martin worked on soap operas and in commercials. On Broadway he also appeared in Timon of Athens, which was his debut, as well as The Merchant of Venice and The Government Inspector. After Rent, he had his first starring TV role on Fox’s 413 Hope St. (1997). He also had a recurring part as Dr. Greg Butters on Ally McBeal. In 2005 he played Collins again in Chris Columbus’s film of Rent.
Detective Ed Green on Law & Order
Jesse L. Martin joined NBC’s Law & Order as Detective Ed Green, the hot-headed new partner of Jerry Orbach’s Lennie Briscoe. The role made him a familiar face in American homes. He also played Green in the spin-offs Law & Order: Trial by Jury and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. His films from those years include A Christmas Carol: The Musical (2004), The Cake Eaters (2007), Puncture (2011) and Joyful Noise (2012). He also appeared on NBC’s Smash.
Joe West on The Flash (2014–2023)
Jesse L. Martin played Joe West, the father figure to Barry Allen, across all nine seasons of The CW’s The Flash. He also played Joe in crossovers with Supergirl and in DC’s Legends of Tomorrow material. In 2017 he directed The Letter Carrier, which he also wrote the story for and contributed songs to.
From 2023 to 2025, Martin starred as behavioral psychologist Alec Mercer in NBC’s The Irrational, appearing in 29 episodes. He also acted in and produced the film Re: Uniting (2023). He hosted the true-crime series How It Really Happened in 2022. His next project is PH-1, in which he plays Professor Daniel Huntley.
Jesse L. Martin filmography (selected)
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | PH-1 (upcoming) | Professor Daniel Huntley | Film |
| 2023–2025 | The Irrational | Alec Mercer | TV series |
| 2023 | Re: Uniting | Michael | Film |
| 2022 | How It Really Happened | Himself | Host |
| 2015–2017 | Supergirl | Joe West | TV series |
| 2014–2023 | The Flash | Joe West | TV series |
| 2012 | Joyful Noise | — | Film |
| 2011 | Puncture | — | Film |
| 2009 | Peter and Vandy | — | Film |
| 2007 | The Cake Eaters | — | Film |
| 2005 | Rent | Tom Collins | Film |
| 2004 | A Christmas Carol: The Musical | Ghost of Christmas Present / Ticket Seller | Film |
| 1998 | Restaurant | — | Film |
| 1997 | 413 Hope St. | — | TV series |
| — | Law & Order | Det. Ed Green | TV series |
FAQ
– Where is Jesse L. Martin today?
Jesse L. Martin is still acting. He starred in The Irrational from 2023 to 2025, and his film PH-1, in which he plays Professor Daniel Huntley, is due in 2026.
– How old is Jesse L. Martin?
Jesse L. Martin was born on January 18, 1969, so he is 57 (as of November 2026).
– Where was Jesse L. Martin born?
Jesse L. Martin was born in Rocky Mount, Virginia.
– What is Jesse L. Martin known for?
Jesse L. Martin is best known as Tom Collins in Rent (1996 on Broadway, 2005 on film), as Detective Ed Green on Law & Order, and as Joe West on The Flash (2014–2023).
Header photo: Dominick D / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0, resized
