Born into a circus family Martin had an early career as a juggler, unicyclist, knife thrower, fire-eater, and magician. As the result of an accident in the big top, in which he sustained a shattered ankle, he was forced to retire from performing his freestanding ladder/tall unicycle/ basketball juggling/pyrotechnic act and became a stand-up comedian.

His picture is featured on Trivial Pursuits. The Genus Edition. He is on one of the arts and entertainments squares, wearing a leotard