Marty Ezelle:
Community Leader, Respected Dallas Financial Advisor and Notable Actor
I lived and worked in Ohio, Illinois and North Carolina before landing in Dallas, TX. I never expected to be here more than 2 years and 25+ years later I’ve come to call Dallas my home. I currently live in Lakewood with my pup Maris and work as a financial advisor and an actor. I have a BA from The Ohio State University and an MBA from the University of North Carolina. I love sports, travel, and the outdoors. This time of year, I’m gearing up for March Madness. Go Tarheels!! In the community, I enjoy serving on the Board of Directors of the Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce.
Getting to know Marty
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. I’m a single guy and a dog dad. I have one older sister, two adult nephews, and a grandnephew, all in Cleveland. I’m also Uncle Marty to a bunch of other nieces and nephews (children of close friends and family members)!
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I moved to Dallas for a job in the travel industry and spent 10 years working in finance, corporate strategy, and business development. Now, I’m a Partner and Financial Advisor at Forge & Link Financial Group and an actor.
In the financial role, I love working with business owners and families. Every major decision in life has a financial consequence, and I keep my clients safe and well-informed with options to best fit their hopes, dreams, and goals for today, tomorrow, and future generations.
As an actor, I get to bring stories to life and evoke emotion in others while telling the story. I’ve worked primarily in television and film, but I also love theatre. I’ve been in TV shows like Longmire and the reboots of both Dallas and Walker.
Fun Fact: sometimes people tell me I look like Barack Obama. I got to play him in a television series called Murder Made Me Famous in an episode about Osama Bin Laden (Season 7 Episode 5)
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
The Heights – good vibes, fun bar and great food!
E BAR and Eddies – Great atmosphere and food!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I’ve lived in Lakewood for over 25 years. I was drawn to East Dallas to be closer to White Rock Lake. I love the trails and riding my bike.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I’ve got a long list, as I love to travel. Topping the list is Portugal because this is a place where I could see myself retiring to as they have easy access to other European countries, great weather, affordable cost of living, and are visa friendly! Also on the list is skiing in Japan—I’ve already got that one in the works!!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Movies: My Cousin Vinny, Coming to America, The Shawshank Redemption, and The Hunt for Red October.
TV Show: Breaking Bad
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Be kind to others and don’t just hear people…really listen to what they are saying and try to understand.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Back to travel… Skiing in Switzerland
Q: What is your go-to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Barack Obama. We’d converse while shooting hoops at Tietze Park and then I’d have lunch catered to whatever my new friend wants!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
White Rock Lake and all of the connecting bike trails
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Still traveling and spending more time in Portugal or Panama
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I can fly a plane! I learned how to fly when I was 18. Back then I wanted to be a pilot!
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
It’s a close call between The Amalfi Coast and the South of France
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
March (my birthday month, spring equinox, March Madness), Thanksgiving, fave day is the first day of spring!!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My late mother, Patricia, or Pat. She still inspires me every day!
Q: How do you ignite kindness in your community?
Paying compliments to strangers and really listening to others. You just never know what someone else is going through. Kindness goes a long way! I’m friendly and so is our community!
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
I love the smell of coffee in the morning.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Comfort, Peace, Love
Read more inspiring stories like this on Faces of East Dallas.
