In addition to his roles on Ally McBeal, the X-Files and his upcoming starring role on Law & Order, actor Jesse L. Martin is the West Coast Spokesperson for the Dockers Classically Independent Film Festival. One of the films featured at the festival is Jesse’s film Restaurant. Good Evening Jesse. Glad you could join us this evening.

MARTIN
Hello! Go Knicks!!
ROMONTREL
How long have you been acting?
MARTIN
Since I was about 11 years old
XMASLIGHTS
Where did you receive your acting training?
MARTIN
It all started in elementary school. I was in an elementary school that used the arts as a focus for all subjects. I didn’t know that I
was training at the time. The first time I was
aware, or actually chose to train, was when
I went to a performing arts high school. And
then it went through college.
XMASLIGHTS
Did your family and friends support you when you
told them you wanted to be an actor?
MARTIN
Support! That’s a good word. Yes-they did support me for the most part, along with a lot of laughter and teasing. But after they see you on television, the support becomes whole-hearted.
MANOLIS
What movies have you done besides these TV shows?
MARTIN
TV GUIDE
Can you tell us a bit about that film?
MARTIN
It’s what they call an ensemble piece. A lot of young actors you have probably seen in television and film. Ala Adrien Brody, Elise Neal, David Moscow, Malcom Jamal Warner, Lauryn Hill
TV GUIDE
What is the film about?
MARTIN
It’s about a restaurant in New Jersey, and the drama they are in. If you have ever been to a restaurant in New York or New Jersey you know what that drama would include. Artists struggling to be what and who they want to be.
TV GUIDE
How did you become involved with the festival?
MARTIN
First off, Dockers chose Restaurant as one of the films this year. And I am in the movie. So they decided because people did know who I was, that I did have a fan base, that I would be the perfect person to speak about the festival
XMASLIGHTS
Do you prefer movies, television, or theater?
MARTIN
I prefer acting in anything, it doesn’t matter where it is, as long as it’s good.
SBBLONE16
You were great on Ally McBeal. I loved your character, but I was glad that you and Ally didn’t hook up. You were way too “normal” for her. Is there a possibility that you will reappear on the show in the future? I’d like to see you hook up with Renee, even if it’s just to sing together again. Take care and best of luck on Law & Order.
MARTIN
That’s probably what Ally McBeal needs, somebody normal! LOL! That’s great, thank you! It’s all possible. Anybody who knows that show, knows that anything is possible. I’d be thrilled either way. If Greg Butters ended up with Ally that would be beautiful, and if he ended up with Renee that would be just as wonderful. They’re both great girls.
KITTERIDGEM>BR? Jesse, Congrats on the new L&O assignment! As a long time fan, I know we’re looking forward to a new face on the show. What do you think will be your biggest challenges coming to a show that’s been on the air for 9 years?
MARTIN
I think the best challenge going into L&O would be just learning to gel with that incredible cast. I think they have a great thing going, and if I could find a way to just fit myself in there, I’d be happy
ODIEPODIE14
Have you ever sang professionally? You’re a great singer!
MARTIN
LOL! I guess if professional means getting paid to sing, I guess, yes, because when I was on Broadway, doing Rent, we did in fact record an album, and that’s about as professional as I’ve gotten in regards to the recording business.
KITTERIDGEM
As a singer, any chance you and Jerry Orbach will belt out a few tunes behind the scenes?
MARTIN
Behind the scenes, I’m almost positive we will! If we get along, I’m sure we will, I’ve seen him sing over the years, and I would love to chirp with him!
USA58
Tell us about your role on L&O please.
MARTIN
Actually I’m not really sure what the character is yet. So I’m not really sure what to say. I do know that I will be a detective and I will be I’m sure what to say. I do know that I will be.
TARRYN522
Are there any plans for a Rent movie? If so, would you do it?
MARTIN
I hear that there are plans for a Rent movie, I wouldn’t know what those plans are. It would depend on how many of the people that I know from Rent are involved.
XMASLIGHTS
What are some of your other interests besides acting?
MARTIN
Good question! I don’t know, I like to do quiet things, like paint, read, go dancing, although that’s not so quiet. Things that people would normally do but that you don’t necessarily get a chance to do with a television schedule. It all looks good when you’re busy all the time.
ODIEPODIE14
What sign are you Jesse, and do you follow your horoscope?
MARTIN
Good question again. I’m a Capricorn, and I follow the horoscopes when they are actually beneficial and positive. But the minute they say something bad is happening, I don’t listen any more!
BABYGIRL_3281
What’s your most embarrassing moment?
MARTIN
I have many, many...I don’t know if any one carries more weight than the others, but the most embarrassing ones are when there is a live audience. When I was doing Rent on Broadway, there was one time when actually the President of the United States and the First Family came to see the show. And I was so nervous I completely forgot a line and wasn’t very graceful with covering it. I would say that was one of the most embarrassing ones.
SOMETHINSEXY
I know that you have thousands of women pawning over you. What could a woman do (within moral bounds) in order to get your attention?
MARTIN
Be really, really sweet to me. And quiet. Quietly sweet, that’s a good way to put it
ODIEPODIE14
What is your marital status Jesse? And where do you live?
MARTIN
Marital status-single. And I live in New York
XMASLIGHTS
Where did you grow up?
MARTIN>BR? I was born in Virginia, and grew up in upstate New York.
GSMCNEILL
When will your debut episode and the season premier of Law & Order be airing?
MARTIN
I actually don’t know. I don’t know if anybody knows that yet.
CSO68
Have you started taping L&O yet? If so, do you like it as much or better than Ally?
MARTIN
No, and I wouldn’t know.
XMASLIGHTS>BR? How was it to work with David Duchovny as a director?
MARTIN
Phenomenal. The guy is incredibly smart, not to mention extremely sensitive to actors. And he chose me, which gave me a lot of confidence as far as telling the story that he wanted to tell. Not to mention that he wrote the piece which I thought was beautiful.
LUUSKE
What is your favorite childhood movie?
MARTIN>BR? I just saw this movie recently, Bugsy Malone, with Scott Baio and Jody Foster. I saw it recently and hated it but as a kid it was one of my favorite movies.
XMASLIGHTS
Who are some of your favorite actors, and who would you like to work with?
MARTIN
I have many. Some of my favorite actors. Morgan Freeman. Judy Dench, amazing, I’ve seen her a lot on stage. Lisa Nicole Carson, I think she’s brilliant. Calista is incredible. She’s great to watch, and if you get a chance to work with her, she’s just amazing. Denzel Washington, love him, think he’s a perfect leading man. Annette Bening, somebody you never get to see, brilliant actress. Meryl Streep, I’d love to work with her. People like Gloria Foster, who you might not even know. She’s an actress I’ve seen do a lot of stage in New York, Phenomenal, I’d love to work with her. And of course, my friends who aren’t famous yet, but who are people I love to work with and want to work with
VICTORIA D
Has Calista changed since you knew her many years ago?
MARTIN
To correct that, I didn’t know Calista well a few years ago. And I still don’t pretend to be a great friend of hers, we work well together but are not intimate friends, so to speak. So I wouldn’t know if she’s changed much, because I don’t really know her that way. I can say one thing though, she certainly knows how to handle this whole crazy business, that is television. And I’ve seen her be extremely gracious and friendly. Not to mention she’s actually a lot of fun to hang out with when you do get to hang out.
VICTORIA D
Do you think your interracial relationship with Ally on the show was influenced society’s views about interracial relationships?
MARTIN
I think it may have helped. But there are so many examples of interracial relationships, not only on television but in life in general, that if you can’t take the example from real life, then I don’t know how TV is going to change anything.
LUUSKE
How are you enjoying this form of interviewing?
MARTIN
I actually kind of like it. It’s kind of got some mystery to it. Except you have to speak really slow. And If I was typing it would be even slower.
VICTORIA D
If you could only use one word to describe yourself, what would that word be?
MARTIN
Evolving
XMASLIGHTS
How have you spent your summer? Any projects?
MARTIN
No, I have spent the summer trying to relax, but I have since been running around, trying to have a personal life
SOMETHINSEXY
What is your idea of a romantic evening?
MARTIN
That’s a good one-I haven’t had one in a long time! I suppose it would have to include food, wine, and a view. Let’s keep it at that.
SOMETHINSEXY
What type of food do you like?
MARTIN
Good food! All kinds. I’m kind of partial to sushi. I like soul food. Best soul food in New York- probably Sylvia’s up in Harlem.
BEATLES_FAN01
Have you met your future co-stars on Law & Order yet? If so, what are they like?
MARTIN
Not yet, that’s another mysterious thing. I haven’t. But I look forward to it.
MSUGIRL180
Is doing film different from doing television?
MARTIN
Definitely. Actually doing independent film is different than doing an actual studio film apparently. Television is on such a tight schedule that you have to work really fast. Film you get a little more time to create-hopefully
E_MOMO
When can I see Restaurant?
MARTIN
Restaurant will be released in at least a few cities, LA, Chicago, and New York, in the fall. I don’t know the dates yet, look for it. But if you are in Los Angeles, you can see it this Friday.
LARILE
Who do you think will win the NBA championship?
MARTIN
The Knicks!, Knicks, Knicks, Knicks! And I have to believe that.
TV GUIDE
Jesse, thanks for joining us this evening. Best of luck with everything
MARTIN
Much love and life to you all!
TV GUIDE
Please come back and chat with us again