William Lee Martin

William Lee Martin was born on May 21, 1966, in Fort Worth, Texas. He began his career in comedy at the age of 30, performing for two decades under his nickname “Cowboy Bill” before transitioning to using his given name in 2016. His work primarily focuses on observational humor derived from real-life situations, including marriage, parenting, and family dynamics. This approach has resonated with audiences, establishing him as a storytelling comedian who creates memorable narratives rather than relying solely on punchlines.

Throughout his career, Martin has produced several comedy specials. In 2015, he released “Cowboy Bill Martin: Let the Laughter Roll.” This was followed in 2019 by two additional television specials: “William Lee Martin: Standing in the Middle” and “William Lee Martin: The Nutcracker – A Christmas Stand-up Comedy Spectacular.” These specials have been featured on platforms such as Amazon Prime, with a new one also released on YouTube. Beyond stand-up, he has expanded his creative endeavors into acting, writing, and producing. His acting credits include the film “W.W.J.R.” (2022).

In addition to his entertainment pursuits, Martin is involved in philanthropic work. In 2011, he co-founded Cowboys Who Care with his wife, Michele, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting children with cancer and life-threatening illnesses by providing them with cowboy hats as a symbol of strength. He served in a leadership role until 2023. He was also named Chief Ambassador for Boot Barn’s hat program for children with similar conditions in 2025. Martin is also a children’s book author, having published “Dadtastic Weekends,” which addresses themes of co-parenting with humor and warmth. He also hosts the “Red Dirt Comedy” podcast, where he interviews comedians, musicians, and individuals with unique life stories.