Very early in his career was a sax player, under his real name of Al Morris, in an orchestra headed by Tom Gerun. Among the other orchestra members were unknowns (at the time) Woody Herman and singer Ginny Simms.

There was a misunderstanding that led to his discharge from the Navy during WWII. He finished up the war in the Army, winning a Bronze Star as a noncombatant in the Far East.

His first hit record was "Now it Can Be Told" (1938), a song by Irving Berlin from the film Alexander`s Ragtime Band (1938). It was sung on-screen by his then-wife Alice Faye.

He was awarded 4 Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6331 Hollywood Boulevard, for Motion Pictures at 6436 Hollywood Boulevard; for Radio at 1760 Vine Street; and for Television at 1725 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.

He had one son with his second wife, Cyd Charisse: Tony Martin Jr. He adopted Charisse`s son Nicholas from her first marriage.