Frank Martin (ER character)

Infobox character
name = Francis Martin


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first = September 19, 1994 (Pilot: 24 Hours)
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gender = Male
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occupation = Police Officer (1994-2000), Desk Clerk Emergency Department (2000-
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spouse = Connie Martin
children = A daughter Janie (and possible others)
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portrayer = Troy Evans
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Francis "Frank" Martin is a fictional character portrayed by Troy Evans on the television show "ER". Frank Martin first appeared in the pilot episode as a Police Officer who had been shot. His character returned in the sixth season as a desk clerk, temporarily replacing Jerry Markovic.

Martin has a more traditionalist, conservative, law and order philosophy that often put him at odds with his more liberal coworkers. He did background checks on patients, in order to help the police round up criminals, opposed giving medical care to illegal immigrants, and attempted to beat up a homeless man with a stick. While he was not as overtly racist or bigoted as Dr. Romano, his expressed statements about women, minorities, gays and lesbians, and the indigent were often politically incorrect, if not insensitive.

When Jerry came back to work, he and Martin initially fought over politics, and eventually came to blows. Dr. Chen saved them from being suspended by Weaver, on the condition that the two men learn to work together. Their relationship became quite cordial, with Jerry even hugging him upon his return to the ER. Similarly, Frank is deeply affected when Jerry is shot during a hospital gun battle in the 13th season finale, "21 Guns."

In the tenth season, Frank has a heart attack while at work and requires immediate surgery. The episode showed another side of Martin as his life is saved by two doctor, both minorities, whom he mistrusted. This episode also revealed that Frank is the loving father of a developmentally disabled daughter, thus offering a more complex illustration of his life and workplace reputation. In addition, it also confirmed what many fans of the show suspected all along--that "Officer Martin" from the pilot was none other than Frank himself.

Following the heart attack, Frank remained cantankerous, but the character seemed to become a nicer man--particularly to Neela, who he credited with saving his life, despite his having made racial slurs towards her on her first day at County General.