MEDIA ADVISORY: Veteran, actor and speaker J.R. Martinez to speak at UND on Nov. 19

The public is invited to the Memorial Union Ballroom at UND on Wednesday, Nov. 19, to listen to a speech from U.S. Army veteran, actor and motivational speaker, J.R. Martinez.

Martinez will be speaking from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., sharing his remarkable story and uplifting message in a talk titled, “Overcoming Adversity with Optimism and Resilience.” He will also be touring campus prior to the event.

A meet-and-greet will take place immediately following the event.

Most widely known for his roles on the Emmy Award-winning daytime drama “All My Children” and his win on “Dancing with the Stars” in the show’s 13th season, Martinez first served the U.S. Army in a deployment to Iraq.

In April 2003, Martinez was driving a Humvee that struck a roadside bomb in Karbala. He was trapped inside of the burning vehicle, suffering severe burns. He spent 34 months recovering, undergoing dozens of surgeries in the years since.

It was during his recovery that Martinez realized the positive impact he could have on others, speaking to other patients about his experiences and listening to theirs.

He has since become a highly sought-after motivational speaker. He has spoken to troops at various bases around the world, as well as to organizations such as the Clinton Global Initiative, the Red Cross and dozens of universities and Fortune 500 companies.

In 2008, Martinez answered an open casting call for a veteran to join the cast of “All My Children,” and his role as Brot Monroe turned into a three-year role from what was originally planned as a three-month story arc.

After the show’s final season, Martinez went on to compete in the 13th season of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” with Karina Smirnoff as his partner. The duo went on to win the competition’s coveted mirrorball trophy.

He has since played other roles on TV and has been featured on shows such as “Oprah,” “60 Minutes,” “The Tonight Show,” “Good Morning America,” and many others. He was also named one of People Magazine’s “Most Intriguing People” of 2011.

Martinez is the author of the New York Times best-selling memoir “Full of Heart: My Story of Survival, Strength and Spirit” and currently resides in Austin, Texas, with his wife and children.

Media contact:

Tom Dennis
701-777-6746
tom.dennis@UND.edu