AMC’s Martinez Honored By AFTRA
Former ALL MY CHILDREN star and current DANCING WITH THE STARS fan fave J.R. Martinez (Brot) received a special honor earlier this week with the AFTRA Diversity Award at the 9th Annual Ivy Bethune Tri-Union Diversity Awards (The Ivys). Presented as a joint ceremony by the three actor unions, The Ivys celebrate individuals and organizations in the performing arts that have made strides in helping to build a more diverse entertainment industry. Martinez — an Iraq war vet-turned-actor — was selected by AFTRA for his focusing attention on and dedicating himself to supporting and empowering disabled veterans and burn victims.
Following the presentation of his Diversity Award, Martinez was surprised with an additional honor from the U.S. Army. Special guest Major General Joseph Anderson — who was the actor’s commander of the 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), the unit which Martinez was in when he was injured — presented him with the first-ever “Army Star Award” for his service in and out of uniform.