At age 20, Martinez married Joanne Cinelli, a fellow San Francisco State graduate.
After the Marines, Martinez studied for a short period at University of California Berkeley, but dropped out to work full-time as a writer.
[1] Before working for Los Angeles Times, Martinez, his wife, and kids took a two-month trip around the United States in a camper with their dog Hoover.
Even though he put up a bravado front and could handle almost anything — speaking or whatever he did — there was a little boy inside that often times needed a little comfort and a little attention and that's what I tried to give.
Many reviewers theorize these were Martinez's first glimpses of his unique writing style of humor combined with pathos.
But in it, you feel the strength of your own protection and the power of your defense.”[3] Martinez's first job within the journalism realm was with Richmond Independent in 1952 as a reporter.
[5] Martinez also won a lifetime achievement award from the California Chicano News Media Association in 2002.