Ricky Martin Biography

Ooh la la Ricky Martin! Livin' La Vida Loca!

Courtesy of Sony Music

Ricky Martin is one talented singer and dancer.

Courtesy of Fox Flash

Birthdate: December 24, 1971

Ricky Martin - The Early Years

Ricky Martin was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and started performing when he was barely out of diapers. In school Ricky Martin perfomed in plays, sang in the choir and later acted in TV commercials. You might assume Spanish music was Ricky Martin's first influence, but his pre-teens were spent listening to David Bowie, Boston and Cheap Trick. Who would have guessed?

Ricky Martin Gets His Break

Ricky Martin's first real glimpse of the spotlight came when he landed a spot in the teen Latin pop group Menudo. Ricky Martin tried out when he was 10, but didn't make the group 'til he was 12 cuz they thought he was too young. Ricky Martin spent five years with the band and left in 1989, feeling burnt out and wanting a change.

Ricky Martin Goes Hollywood

In 1994 Ricky Martin moved to L.A. and tried his hand at acting again. Ricky Martin landed a role as bartender/nightclub singer, Miguel Morez on the soap General Hospital. Ricky Martin also started working on his third Spanish album A Medio Vivir released in 1995. The album did well and Ricky Martin left GH and soon landed a role on Broadway in Les Miserables. Shortly after shaking his bon bon on the '99 Grammy's, Ricky Martin put out his first English album - Ricky Martin and took the US by storm. Livin' La Vida Loca became a huge hit. After a bunch more albums Ricky Martin took some much-needed time off. In 2003, Ricky Martin released a Spanish album Las Almas Del Silencio.