He became known after roles in several French films such as Un, deux, trois, soleil (1993), which garnered him the César Award for “Most Promising Actor”, The Horseman on the Roof (1995), and The Chambermaid on the Titanic (1997). He has also appeared in Hollywood-produced features, including Before Night Falls (2000) and Unfaithful and S.W.A.T. (2003). in 1994, Martinez won a César Award as “Most Promising Actor” for his role in Un, deux, trois, soleil (1993). Martinez first came to mainstream attention in Hollywood films with his performance in Julian Schnabel’s Before Night Falls (2000) opposite Javier Bardem and Johnny Depp. The film was highly critically acclaimed, although Martinez’s performance was overshadowed by that of Bardem in the eyes of critics. He has since appeared in a television adaptation of The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone (2003), S. W. A. T. (2003) and Taking Lives (2004).