MartinThompsonwasborninVirginia,althoughonlylivedthereforsixweeks;hisfatherwasintheNavy,sothefamilymovedoften.HismotherwasaPeabodytrainedlyricsoprano,whocamefromafamilyofsingersandmusicians.HespentagoodpartofhisformativeyearsinCalifornia,FloridaandNorthCarolina,returningtoVirginiatocontinuehiseducationathighschool.HelaterstudiedatEastCarolinaUniversity,wherehewasawardedaBAinTheatre.HestudiedfortwoyearsatHBStudiosinNewYorkunderUtaHagenandHalHolden.