Safekipedia

Steve Martin

Adapted from Wikipedia · Adventurer experience

Comedian Steve Martin performing on stage in Concord, California in 2017.

Stephen Glenn Martin, born on August 14, 1945, is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and musician. He is famous for his funny work in movies, television, and music. He has won many awards, including five Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He has also received special honors like the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and the Kennedy Center Honors.

Martin started his career writing for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and later became a popular stand-up comedian in the 1970s. He starred in many funny movies such as The Jerk, Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid, and Planes, Trains and Automobiles. He also played kind and loving family members in films like Parenthood, the Father of the Bride series, and Cheaper by the Dozen.

In recent years, Martin has done comedy tours with fellow comedian Martin Short. In 2021, he helped create a funny television show called Only Murders in the Building on Hulu with Short and Selena Gomez. Martin also enjoys playing the banjo and has made several music albums, winning more Grammy Awards for both his music and comedy.

Early life and education

Martin as a senior in high school, 1963

Steve Martin was born on August 14, 1945, in Waco, Texas. He grew up in Inglewood, California and later in Garden Grove with his older sister. His family was Baptist. As a teenager, Steve worked at Disneyland, where he learned magic tricks and juggling.

After high school, Steve went to Santa Ana College, where he studied drama and poetry. He later transferred to UCLA and changed his major to theater. During college, he performed comedy in local clubs and decided to pursue a career in entertainment.

Career

Steve Martin started his career in comedy. He got a writing job on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1967. He later appeared on Saturday Night Live, where he became a popular host. His stand-up comedy led to successful albums in the 1970s, entertaining many with his unique humor.

Martin in 1976

Martin also acted in movies. He began with small roles and later played leading parts in films like The Jerk. He worked with famous directors and co-stars, trying many different kinds of roles. Over the years, he appeared in many movies, television shows, and voiced characters in animated films.

In addition to acting, Martin wrote books and plays. He also played music, especially the banjo, and performed with bands, sharing his love for different musical styles.

Personal life

Steve Martin has had many relationships over the years. Early in his career, he dated writers, actors, and musicians. In 1986, he married actress Victoria Tennant, but they divorced in 1994. In 2007, he married Anne Stringfield, and they had a daughter together in 2012.

Martin enjoys collecting art and has owned pieces by famous artists like Roy Lichtenstein and Pablo Picasso. He has helped organize art shows and supported artists from around the world. He also served on the board of a major art museum in Los Angeles for many years.

Martin has said that he doesn’t follow any specific religion and prefers to think for himself. He also has a condition called tinnitus, which makes sounds ring in his ears. He believes it came from years of loud music and performances.

Influences

Steve Martin talks about comedians who inspired him. He mentions Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, Jack Benny, Jerry Lewis, and Woody Allen as big influences.

Martin in 2011

Martin also says that Jerry Seinfeld is one of his favorite modern comedians. He likes Seinfeld's humor. Over the years, Martin’s comedy style has inspired many others, including Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Conan O'Brien, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Robert Smigel, Bo Burnham, and Jordan Peele. Even musician Mike Patton says Steve Martin influenced him.

Filmography

Steve Martin has been in many funny movies and shows. He is known for making people laugh with his comedy. Over the years, he has won awards for his work in entertainment.

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Steve Martin

Steve Martin has won many awards for his work. He received an Academy Honorary Award, an Emmy Award, five Grammy Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He was also nominated for ten Golden Globe Awards and two Tony Awards. A newspaper called The Guardian said he is one of the best actors who has never been nominated for an Academy Award.

Discography

Albums

Steve Martin has released several albums with his bluegrass and comedy music. These albums show his talent in playing the banjo and making people laugh.

Singles

Steve Martin has also released many singles. These songs are shorter than album tracks and are often played on the radio.

Music videos

Steve Martin has made music videos to go with some of his songs. These videos help bring his music to life and show his fun personality.

Steve Martin albums
AlbumYearPeak chart positionsCertifications
Type
Billboard 200
US Bluegrass
Let's Get Small197710
US: Platinum
Comedy
A Wild and Crazy Guy19782
US: 2× Platinum
Comedy Is Not Pretty!197925
US: Gold
The Steve Martin Brothers1981135
The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo2009931Music
Rare Bird Alert
(with Steep Canyon Rangers)
2011431
Love Has Come for You
(with Edie Brickell)
2013211
Live
(with Steep Canyon Rangers featuring Edie Brickell)
20141
So Familiar
(with Edie Brickell)
20151261
The Long-Awaited Album
(with Steep Canyon Rangers)
20171891
"—" denotes a title that did not chart.
Steve Martin singles
TitleYearPeak chart positions
US
AlbumType
"Grandmother's Song"197772Let's Get SmallComedy
"King Tut"197817A Wild and Crazy GuyMusic
"Cruel Shoes"197991Comedy Is Not Pretty!Comedy
"Bluegrass Radio"
(with Alison Brown featuring Sam Bush, Stuart Duncan, Trey Hensley, and Todd Phillips)
2024Non-album singleMusic
Steve Martin music videos
VideoYearDirector
"Jubilation Day"2011Ryan Reichenfeld
"Pretty Little One"2014David Horn
"Won't Go Back"
(with Edie Brickell)
2015Matt Robertson
"Caroline"2017Brian Petchers
"So Familiar"2018Laurence Jacobs
"Promontory Point"
"Bluegrass Radio"
(with Alison Brown featuring Sam Bush, Stuart Duncan, Trey Hensley, and Todd Phillips)
2024—N/a

Stand-up specials

Steve Martin has made many funny shows and videos that people enjoy watching.

  • Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life, 2018

Other video releases

Here are some more funny videos by Steve Martin:

  • Steve Martin-Live! (1986, VHS; includes short film "The Absent-Minded Waiter" and footage from a 1979 concert)
  • Saturday Night Live: The Best of Steve Martin (1998, DVD/VHS; sketch compilation)
  • Steve Martin: The Television Stuff (2012, DVD; includes content of Steve Martin-Live! as well as his NBC specials and other television appearances)

Images

Steve Martin presents David Letterman with an award at the Peabody Awards ceremony in 2016.
Steve Martin in Sweden during a promotional event in 1982.
Steve Martin attending a movie premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2008.
Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers performing live in Seattle.
Comedian Steve Martin reading his 'thousand-dollar set list' at a music festival in 2011.

Related articles

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Steve Martin, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Images from Wikimedia Commons. Tap any image to view credits and license.