- Parallelling his character of Detective J.D. LaRue in Hill Street Blues (1981), he was a recovering alcoholic.
- Wife Claudia Martin is Dean Martin's daughter.
- Upon his death, there was no funeral because that's what he said in his will.
- Was a chain smoker and heavy drinker which most likely led to his early death at 46 of lung cancer.
- Was often mistakenly referred to as the half-brother of Larry Hagman.
- He was raised in Miami and first acted with stock companies in Florida, later diversifying as a stand-up comic and musician.
- According to an article in the" Los Angeles Times", Martin--who was born in Pittsburgh, PA, and grew up in Hialeah, FL--studied drama in high school and at Trinity University in Texas and the University of Miami. He then moved to New York City, where he worked as a guitar player, stand-up comic and dockworker.
- Had a daughter, Jesse, with Claudia Martin.
- Kiel Martin's final TV acting role, If the Shoe Fits (1990) and his final TV movie, Perry Mason: The Case of the Poisoned Pen (1990) before his death on December 28, 1990 at the age of 46, were broadcast on the same night, January 21, 1991.
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