Let's make this birthday one to remember.

55 years old (Born on January 18, 1969)

American theatre, film and television actor; He is famous from Rent.

In Law & Order, he works with Jerry Orbach, who played Billy Flynn in the original cast of Chicago. In Rent, (play and film) he works with Taye Diggs, who played the band leader in the 2002 film, and briefly played Flynn himself in late 2002 during the Broadway revival. Currently preparing two one-man shows: "Fiend" and an untitled piece based on the life of Marvin Gaye. He is a graduate of one of the United States' most famous academic art schools, the Buffalo Academy For Visual and Preforming Arts for grades 5-12 On April 2, 2006, Martin was a featured guest at the awards ceremony of the SunDeis Film Festival at Brandeis University. Martin, introduced to a standing ovation, presented his "Law and Order" co-star S. Epatha Merkerson with the first-ever SunDeis Entertainer of the Year Award, the highlight of the festival weekend. Appeared in episodes of three different series with Jerry Orbach: "Law & Order" (1990), "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1999) and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (2001).

Tom Collins and Angel Dumott Schunard, his character and character's boyfriend in Rent, take their last names from their characters counterparts in La Boheme. Tom Collins (known simply as Collins) is based on Colline, and Angel is based on Schaunard.

Along with Jerry Orbach, Fred Dalton Thompson and Leslie Hendrix, he is one of only four actors to play the same character (Detective Ed Green) on all four "Law & Order" series ("Law & Order" (1990), "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1999), "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (2001), and "Law & Order: Trial by Jury" (2005)).

Has appeared in episodes of three different television series with Sam Waterston: "Law & Order" (1990), "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1999) and "Law & Order: Trial by Jury" (2005).

Is on the Board of Trustees for the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation

The storyline of Detective Green being shot in the line of duty was written into the Law and Order script so that during his 'recovery', Jesse could be in San Fransisco to film Rent.

Attended the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute.

Returning back to Buffalo, N.Y., to work on an independent film, in October of 2006, his luggage was stolen from an SUV as he signed autographs in a restaurant. Martin's belongings have not been returned.

Almost Graduated from NYU

Accompanied Jerry Orbach's widow Elaine to the 2005 Tony Awards.

Performed the song "Razzle Dazzle" from the musical Chicago at the 2005 Tony Awards just as the "In Memoriam" section of the show was finishing. The last photo shown during the memorial was that of Jerry Orbach, who was both Martin's costar on Law and Order and the first person to perform "Razzle Dazzle" in the original Broadway production of Chicago.

Worked at the Moondance Diner in New York City with Jonathan Larson.