Graham Patrick Martin
An actor who transitioned seamlessly from sitcom kid brother to the emotionally complex heart of a long-running crime drama.
Born 1991 (age 35)·American actor·Birthday: November 14·Millennials
Biography
Graham Patrick Martin grew up on screen, but not in the typical child-star trajectory. He first gained attention as the sarcastic, grounded older son on The Bill Engvall Show, holding his own against veteran comedians. This led to a memorable stint on Two and a Half Men, where his character Eldridge provided a foil to Charlie Sheen's chaos. His career-defining role arrived with Rusty Beck, a teen hustler introduced in the finale of The Closer. Martin brought a raw, vulnerable toughness to the part, earning him a central spot in the spinoff Major Crimes for its entire six-season run. He transformed Rusty from a street-smart survivor into a beloved foster son and aspiring lawyer, anchoring the show's emotional core. Martin's strength has always been in portraying young men with weathered souls, finding depth and resilience where others might see only angst.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Graham was born in 1991, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Graham Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Graham's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Could drive
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Could vote
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed the series regular role of Rusty Beck across 105 episodes of TNT's Major Crimes.
- Starred as Bryan Pearson, the eldest son, for three seasons on the TBS sitcom The Bill Engvall Show.
- Appeared in a recurring role on the final seasons of the hit CBS sitcom Two and a Half Men.
- Played a lead role in the 2010 sports drama film Rising Stars.
Did You Know?
He is a trained musician and plays the guitar.
He was born in Thibodaux, Louisiana.
His role on Major Crimes involved working closely with Mary McDonnell, who played his foster mother, Captain Sharon Raydor.
“I started as a kid on a sitcom, learning comedy from the veterans.”
