Adrian Martinez is feeling quite positive about his acting career. Having wrapped filming the role of dog-catching villain, ‘Elliot,’ in the upcoming live-action/CG hybrid update of the animated classic, Lady and the Tramp, slated to stream on Disney+ this November, he is now filming the ninth episode of ABC’s new series Stumptown, inhabiting the role of “Tookie,” opposite Cobie Smulders’ lead character, Dex Parios.
Based on the series of graphic novels by the same name, Stumptown follows Dex Parios, an Army veteran who has a complicated love life, gambling debt and a brother to take care of in Portland, OR. “I play a taco truck owner who is a mentor/former boss to Cobie’s character, Dex,” says Martinez. “Tookie acts as sort of her guardian angel. He really knows what’s goin’ on in the city.”
Growing up in New York, Martinez had no idea he would become a working actor. “My family wasn’t into it. They considered it impractical and certainly didn’t encourage me. It kind of happened by accident. A friend told me about this reality series, Unsolved Mysteries, that was looking for a track star. Well, in high school, that is what I was. I did the audition. I ran fast, had one line and I got my union card.”
To date, Adrian Martinez has garnered over 100+ television and film credits. Highlights include several standout sidekick roles in such projects as Focus, opposite Will Smith and Margot Robbie, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty opposite Ben Stiller, Casa de mi Padre opposite Will Ferrell and I Feel Pretty, as Amy Schumer‘s office buddy, ‘Mason.’ Martinez is also known for series regular roles on television shows such as the CBS All Access comedy, No Activity, produced by Will Ferrell and Funny or Die, as well as the computer hacker, ‘Dumont’ in the NBC spin-off, The Blacklist: Redemption, opposite Famke Janssen and Ryan Eggold.
“So now, my family is really proud of me,” Martinez asserts. “I went to a movie with my mom. She saw my name in the credits, and stood up and shouted, ‘That’s my son.’ Coming from Dominican and Nicaraguan descent, I think I am the only Dominiaguan working in the Industry.”
Martinez hasn’t confined his activities to just being a working actor in film and television. He worked in live theater when he was living in New York. “I did a lot of plays with actors such as Phillip Hoffman. Working in L.A., I don’t have the same opportunity, but I would like to get back to it.”
But Martinez has kept creatively busy. “When I’m on set, I come up with ideas,” he confirms. “I just wrote, produced, directed and starred in a film, iGilbert. It also stars the Dominican actress, Dasha Polanco (Orange is the New Black). It is a very strange and dark love triangle, a cautionary tale. I financed it myself, sold my property. It has a marvelous cast (including Raul Castillo, Emilio Delgado, Marisol Miranda and others). I had a lot of people who helped me on this project. It gave me a chance spread my wings.”
On the set of his current series, Stumptown, shooting in Burbank, he is delighted with the opportunities it has given him. “We are supposed to go to 13 episodes, but there is a good possibility we will do more. I am particularly happy with the episode that is airing October 30th.” He laughs, “It highlights my character.”
Looking to the future, Martinez says he loves to do a one-person show. “I saw John Leguizamo’s Latin History for Morons. It was great work, and it was very encouraging. I am fortunate that I have all these possibilities. It is just a matter of making it all happen.”