A Martinez on ‘Santa Barbara,’ ‘Longmire’ and 50 Years in Hollywood

Few actors can say they’ve successfully navigated five decades of constantly changing television and film culture, but A Martinez has done exactly that. With a career spanning daytime television, primetime dramas, westerns and streaming-era fantasy series, Martinez remains one of the most versatile and enduring performers in Hollywood. This week on the Stuck in the ’80s Podcast, Spearsy sits down with the Emmy-winning actor to discuss his incredible journey from 1980s soap-opera superstardom to acclaimed modern television roles.

The conversation revisits Martinez’s iconic run on Santa Barbara, the groundbreaking daytime drama that made him a household name during the MTV era. Martinez reflects on the intensity of soap-opera production schedules, the passionate fan culture surrounding daytime television in the 1980s and what it meant to become part of one of the decade’s most beloved TV phenomena.

Along the way, the interview explores the evolution of Martinez’s career through projects like Longmire, Dark Winds and Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender. Spearsy and Martinez discuss how television storytelling has changed over the years, the opportunities created by streaming platforms and the importance of authentic representation and layered characters in modern entertainment.

The conversation also touches on Martinez’s longevity in an industry known for constant reinvention and how his love of storytelling helped sustain a career across multiple generations of viewers. From daytime drama fans in the 1980s to streaming audiences discovering his work today, Martinez has remained a familiar and respected presence on television for decades.

If you love ’80s television, soap-opera nostalgia, behind-the-scenes Hollywood stories and conversations with actors whose careers span generations of entertainment history, this episode belongs in your playlist.

The Stuck in the ’80s Podcast has spent nearly 20 years celebrating the music, movies, television and pop culture of the greatest decade ever. Support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, exclusive livestream hangouts, behind-the-scenes content and merch for longtime listeners.

And don’t forget: Spearsy and Brad will once again be part of The 80s Cruise, the ultimate floating celebration of ’80s music and nostalgia. Use promo code STUCK when booking your cabin to receive up to $250 in onboard cabin credit while sailing with fellow Gen X fans and enjoying performances and appearances from many of the decade’s biggest artists. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.