Born in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York. James Martinez started out doing impressions at stand up comedy clubs at 16. He eventually got an interest in acting classes in small spaces in venues throughout Manhattan. His first dramatic role was as John Proctor In Arthur Miller's The Crucible at Forest Hills High School. After High School he attended The Juilliard School for Dramatic arts. Since then he has performed on various Off Broadway stages and is seen going back and forth between stage and screen. Martinez is known for his breakout role as Max Arsiniega in Breaking Bad as well as notable roles in the television shows Gravity, Low Winter Sun, Aquarius, Queen of the South, House of Cards and recently as Armando Salazar on the Hulu series Love, Victor.