America's newest soap star JR Martinez is also an Iraq War veteran. He is now a regular on All My Children.
Martinez, a former high school linebacker, was serving with the Army in Iraq when his Humvee hit a landmine. He was burned over 40% of his body.
But Martinez, who comes from the same home town of Dalton, Georgia of INSIDE EDITION's Deborah Norville, refused to let his injuries get the better of him.
He has devoted his life to helping other wounded vets, trying to inspire them to greatness. However, in a million years, Martinez never thought that mission would lead him to become a soap star.
Still in shock, Martinez says, "I don't think it's hit me yet. I don't think it's sunk in."
Martinez plays a wounded Iraq War vet who returns home to find that his fiancée thinks he is dead.
25-year-old Martinez auditioned for the role after the show put out word that a real veteran was needed to play the part.
All My Children casting director Judy Blye Wilson talked with INSIDE EDITION about what made Martinez stand out. "He's a marvelously articulate man, and he's also very charming, and his injury disappears after the first three minutes with him."
Of his new found TV fame, Martinez tells Norville, "I get a lot of e-mails from a lot of veterans that are saying we cried, we cried, we cried, 'cause we're so proud. Go out there and show them what we can do."