Born with the name Jesse Lamont Watkins, on date 18 January 1969, Rocky Mount, Virginia, USA. After the completion of his high school, to cope up with the tuition fees at New York University, he used to work in restaurant. He also did graduation in one of the United States best art schools, the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts. Then starting his career with commercials and soaps.

Martin done his debut for Broadway in Timon of Athens. And made his TV debut in series 413 Hope St. in 1997. His finest performance was Broadway musical Rent in 2005, which was made by Jonathan Larson. Jesse played the same character as a detective Ed Green in all the four Law & Order 1990, 1999, 2001 and in 2005. He also performed for the song Razzle Dazzle in Tony Awards (2005) in Chicago. Martin also co-produced the show Fully Committed, which was circled on a waiter at an upscale restaurant. Being a skilled vocalist he did singing for Rent, Ally McBeal and X-Files.

Jesse Martin nominated for the Image Award in 2007 for the Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for Law and Order (1990). Same was nominated in 2006, 2004, 2001 and in 2000 Image Award for the Outstanding Actor in Drama Series for Law and Order (1990). In 2000 he was nominated in Image Award for the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Ally McBeal (1997). In 2004 he was nominated for Screen Actors Guild Awards for the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Law and Order (1990) in the same category and same award he was nominated in 2004, 2002 and in 2001.