A native of Riverside, California, the daughter of a department store buyer father and a kindergarten teacher-turned-producer mother Martin started acting at age seven, thanks mainly to her Aunt Rhonda, who was nanny to the late Michael Landon's children. The actress, wangled an audition for Landon's 'Father Murphy' series. A small role on that show touched off her career. Steady work continued throughout her childhood. Her life changed when, at 13, she landed the role of Becca Thatcher on the series 'Life Goes On' and began on-set schooling. Happily, college was an equalizer for her who deferred her studies twice before, as a freshman, when she starred in the title role on the series 'Christy' as a young schoolteacher, and as a sophomore, when she starred as psychology student/intern Kathy Goodman on NBC's 'Crisis Center.'

Martin's television movie credits include 'Her Hidden Truth,' 'A Daughter's Courage,' 'If Someone Had Known,' 'Breaking Free,' 'The Face on the Milk Carton,' 'Her Last Chance,' 'Secret Witness,' 'A Friend to Die For,' 'Hidden in Silence,' 'Blue Heaven' and 'About Sarah.' She guest-starred on such series as 'thirtysomething' and 'The Tracy Ullman Show' and had a recurring role on 'The Hogan Family.' Her feature film credits include 'Jumpin' Jack Flash,' 'Troop Beverly Hills,' 'Matinee' and the animated 'The Goofy Movie' (as the voice of Goofy's girlfriend). Martin recently wed Columbia University law student Keith Christian. In her off-hours, Martin, who someday hopes to open a photo gallery in New York, hones her photographic skills. She also enjoys frequenting museums, watching Saturday morning cartoons, dancing and traveling.