---
name: "Benito Martinez"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/benito-martinez"
fi1m_id: "benito-martinez"
imdb_id: "nm0553468"
tmdb_id: 2137
wikidata_id: "Q817351"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "28 June 1971"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 6
average_fi1m_score: 78
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-10-04T23:59:45.199374+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Benito Martinez

## Identity

Benito Martinez

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/benito-martinez
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** benito-martinez
- **IMDb ID:** nm0553468
- **TMDB ID:** 2137
- **Wikidata ID:** Q817351
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benito_Martinez_(actor), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q817351, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0553468/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2137

Actor. Born 28 June 1971 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 28 June 1971, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
- **Active:** 1995–2005
- **Also known as:** Benito James Martinez, James Martinez, بنیتو مارتینز
- **Average Fi1m score:** 78, as actor, over 6 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 66 (1), 2000s 80 (5)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 80 to 80 across 4 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 3 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 6, Action & Adventure 2, Crime 2, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 2, Action 1, Mystery 1
- **Screen time:** 4 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $407m across 2 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benito_Martinez_(actor), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q817351, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0553468/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2137

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Million Dollar Baby*](https://film.one/film/million-dollar-baby.md) (86)
- **Disney+:** [*The Shield*](https://film.one/tv/the-shield.md) (84)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Outbreak*](https://film.one/film/outbreak.md) (66)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Benito Martinez

> Benito Martinez is particularly useful as an authority figure whose ambition gives us reason to keep watching. We rate him most in sustained ensemble work, with *The Shield* offering a better introduction than the supporting film appearances.

When *The Shield* (2002) leaves Mackey to follow David Aceveda, the change does not feel like an interruption. Benito Martinez plays an ambitious police captain with enough conflict to warrant the attention, rather than simply supplying the lead with someone to answer back to. We enjoyed those conversations away from Mackey because the supporting actors made their characters worth following for their own sake. Martinez is a valuable ensemble actor, and this is our clearest reason to seek him out.

A small part in *My Family* (1995) sits among the film and television jobs that preceded his breakthrough as Aceveda. The regular role in *The Shield* (2002–2008) gave him something those guest appearances could not: time to develop a character over seven seasons. His sustained portrayal of ambition and conflict benefits from that commitment. Shawn Ryan's series also places him alongside CCH Pounder as Claudette Wyms and Jay Karnes as Holland ‘Dutch’ Wagenbach, giving us several reasons to remain interested beyond the central performance.

*The Shield* is occasionally too insistent on its roughness, and no supporting performance can solve that. Still, the willingness to hear from someone other than Michael Chiklis's Mackey is a substantial part of its appeal. Martinez's appearance as Billie's Manager in Clint Eastwood's *Million Dollar Baby* (2004) gives us less on which to judge him. We recommend that film warmly, but not as the place to discover what Martinez can do with sustained attention.

*American Crime* (2015–2017) offers a different test, with Martinez playing three separate characters across the anthology. The immigrant and working-class parts draw on his ability to make people under pressure seem human without simplifying their difficulties. These roles give him something different to do from the officers and other authority figures he is frequently asked to play. Start with *The Shield*, and allow time for its supporting cast; watching solely for the lead would mean overlooking much of what makes the programme worth the commitment.

## Biography

Benito Martinez is an American actor born on 28 June 1971 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art after attending Hollywood High School Performing Arts Center.

He is best known for playing LAPD Captain David Aceveda in the FX series *The Shield* (2002–2008). His film credits include *Million Dollar Baby* (2004) as Billie's Manager, *Saw* (2004) and *American Made* (2017). Martinez has appeared in numerous television series, including *13 Reasons Why*, *Sons of Anarchy* and *American Crime*.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (6)

- *Bones* (2005), Fi1m 70, as Thomas Vega — [page](https://film.one/tv/bones.md)
- *Supernatural* (2005), Fi1m 77, as Edgar — [page](https://film.one/tv/supernatural.md)
- *Million Dollar Baby* (2004), Fi1m 86, as Billie's Manager — [page](https://film.one/film/million-dollar-baby.md)
- *Firefly* (2002), Fi1m 83, as Boss — [page](https://film.one/tv/firefly.md)
- *The Shield* (2002), Fi1m 84, as David Aceveda — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-shield.md)
- *Outbreak* (1995), Fi1m 66, as Dr. Julio Ruiz — [page](https://film.one/film/outbreak.md)

## Complete filmography (80)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Hollywood Grit* (2025), as Hector Mendez
- *Carry-On* (2024), as Security Director Marm Bellows
- *Tracker* (2024), series, as Dale Buchanan
- *A Million Miles Away* (2023), Executive Producer
- *Fool's Paradise* (2023), as Mayor Raposa
- *With Love* (2021), series, as Jorge Diaz Sr.
- *CSI: Vegas* (2021), series, as Raphael Tarquenio
- *Mr. Mayor* (2021), series, as Mayor Delgado, Victor Delgado
- *Big Sky* (2020), series, as Dr. Cowley
- *9-1-1: Lone Star* (2020), series, as Gabriel Reyes
- *Queen & Slim* (2019), as Sheriff Edgar
- *The Rookie* (2018), series, as Judge Rivas
- *FBI* (2018), series, as Joe Becerra
- *Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan* (2018), series, as Senator Jaime Moreno
- *Station 19* (2018), series, as Chief Gonzalez
- *S.W.A.T.* (2017), series, as Miguel
- *American Made* (2017), as James Rangel
- *Menendez: Blood Brothers* (2017), as Jose Menendez
- *13 Reasons Why* (2017), series, as Sheriff Diaz
- *Shooter* (2016), series, as President Alvarez
- *Code Black* (2015), series, as Steve Jasso
- *American Crime* (2015), series, as Alonzo Gutiérrez, Luis Salazar, Dominic Calderon
- *Beyond the Lights* (2014), as Jesse Soria
- *How to Get Away with Murder* (2014), series, as Todd Denver
- *The Leftovers* (2014), series, as Arturo — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-leftovers.md)
- *Almost Human* (2013), series, as Captain Alexio Barros
- *The Blacklist* (2013), series, as Robert Diaz — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-blacklist.md)
- *Bless Me, Ultima* (2013), as Gabriel
- *House of Cards* (2013), series, as Hector Mendoza
- *Lies in Plain Sight* (2010), as Hector Delgado
- *Hawaii Five-0* (2010), series, as DEA Captain Mateo Dias — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/hawaii-five-0.md)
- *Mandrake* (2010), as Harry Vargas
- *Takers* (2010), as Officer in Charge
- *The Dry Land* (2010), as David Valdez
- *Unthinkable* (2010), as Alvarez
- *NCIS: Los Angeles* (2009), series, as Gonzalo Vargas
- *The Forgotten* (2009), series, as Police Chief
- *Not Forgotten* (2009), as Detective Sanchez
- *Castle* (2009), series, as Sam Walker — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/castle.md)
- *Lie to Me* (2009), series, as Charlie Sheridan
- *The Mentalist* (2008), series, as Commander Delgado — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mentalist.md)
- *Sons of Anarchy* (2008), series, as Luis Torres — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/tv/sons-of-anarchy.md)
- *Saving Grace* (2007), series, as Ronnie
- *Burn Notice* (2007), series, as David
- *Torchwood* (2006), series, as Captain Santos — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/torchwood.md)
- *Shark* (2006), series, as Agent Juarez — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/tv/shark.md)
- *End Game* (2006), as Ramsey
- *Kill Your Darlings* (2006), as Officer Jones
- *The Unit* (2006), series, as Benjamin Castillo
- *Criminal Minds* (2005), series, as Chief Raul Montoya — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/tv/criminal-minds.md)
- *Supernatural* (2005), series, as Edgar — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/supernatural.md)
- *Bones* (2005), series, as Thomas Vega — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/bones.md)
- *Numb3rs* (2005), series, as Arthur Ruiz
- *Mucha Lucha: The Return of El Malefico* (2005), as Lonestar / Don Reyes (voice)
- *Million Dollar Baby* (2004), as Billie's Manager — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/million-dollar-baby.md)
- *Saw* (2004), as Brett
- *Karen Sisco* (2003), series, Actor
- *Scooby-Doo! and the Monster of Mexico* (2003), as El Curandero / Man #2 (voice)
- *New Suit* (2003), as Juan
- *Firefly* (2002), series, as Boss — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/firefly.md)
- *What's New, Scooby-Doo?* (2002), series, as Horatio Hidalgo (voice)
- *For the People* (2002), series, as Dr. Leonard Bushnell
- *Monk* (2002), series, as Foreman - Juror No. 7
- *The Shield* (2002), series, as David Aceveda — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-shield.md)
- *24* (2001), series, as Victor Aruz — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/24.md)
- *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Gabriel Ortiz
- *Romeo and Juliet* (2000), as Tybalt
- *Once and Again* (1999), series, Actor
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Santino Rojas
- *L.A. Doctors* (1998), series, as Policeman
- *Her Costly Affair* (1996), as Campus Cop
- *Outbreak* (1995), as Dr. Julio Ruiz — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/outbreak.md)
- *Ballistic* (1995), as Gang Leader
- *Touched by an Angel* (1994), series, as Officer Dave
- *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Orderly
- *NYPD Blue* (1993), series, as Lt. Gomez — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/nypd-blue.md)
- *The X-Files* (1993), series, as Orderly — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-x-files.md)
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as William Moscatello — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *Star Trek: The Next Generation* (1987), series, as Salazar — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-the-next-generation.md)
- *The Bronx Zoo* (1987), series, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Benito Martinez](https://film.one/media/person/98505/gallery-b595c95d16e9.jpg) Benito Martinez — Dulce Osuna, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/Benito_Martinez_on_Dulce_Osuna.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Benito Martinez](https://film.one/media/person/98505/gallery-48aabf90f724.jpg) Benito Martinez — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/benito-martinez