As the multi-hyphenate icon celebrates his 80th birthday, a new documentary and hit series highlight a career far richer than many realize, spanning comedy, music, literature, and fatherhood.
As Steve Martin prepares to mark his 80th birthday on Thursday, August 14, and gears up for another highly anticipated season of his acclaimed Hulu series Only Murders in the Building, his co-star Selena Gomez recently voiced a sentiment shared by many: “It pains me how many people may not know truly about Steve Martin’s life.” Indeed, the release of the documentary STEVE! (Martin) A Documentary in 2 Pieces in fall 2024 aims to shed light on a career far more expansive than just acting and stand-up, revealing Martin as an accomplished banjo player, published author, and prolific screenwriter – truly, as Gomez affectionately calls him, “an icon.”
From Disneyland Magic to Comedy Stages
Born in Waco, Texas, in 1945, Steve Martin spent his formative years in Garden Grove, California, just a stone’s throw from Disneyland. It was within the magical confines of “The Happiest Place on Earth” that a young Martin honed his performance skills. During his teen years, he worked various jobs at the park, from selling guidebooks and souvenirs to captivating audiences at the Fantasyland magic shop. A Disney profile once noted that he “learned all the tricks, and collected all the jokes, writing down every gag,” a meticulous approach that would foreshadow his future as a comedy writer and performer.
His early career saw him transition from magic to writing for television. In the late 1960s, Martin became a staff writer for the groundbreaking variety show The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, a role that even saw him make a cameo appearance. This behind-the-scenes experience was pivotal, sharpening his comedic voice before he stepped into the spotlight. By the early 1970s, he became a frequent and popular guest on sketch shows, making several memorable appearances on Cher and Sonny Bono’s The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, which ran for four seasons.
The Rise of a ‘Wild and Crazy Guy’
The late 1970s marked Martin’s explosive ascent as a stand-up comedian, where his absurdist humor and “wild and crazy guy” persona captivated audiences, leading to sold-out stadium tours and hit comedy albums like A Wild and Crazy Guy (1978). His unique brand of comedy laid the groundwork for his transition to film.
His history with Jim Henson’s Muppets also began in this period; after guesting on The Muppet Show in 1977, brandishing his trusty banjo, he delivered a memorable and hilarious cameo as a disgruntled waiter in 1979’s The Muppet Movie. That same year, Martin solidified his film star status with The Jerk, a Carl Reiner-directed comedy he also co-wrote. The film, a monumental success, earned over $73 million on a modest $4 million budget, cementing his transition from stand-up phenom to bona fide Hollywood leading man.
A Versatile Leading Man: From Amigos to Fathers
The 1980s and 1990s saw Martin explore a diverse range of comedic and dramatic roles, often collaborating with fellow comedic legends. His enduring friendship with Martin Short, which would blossom into a decades-long partnership, began to take cinematic shape with 1986’s Three Amigos. The musical comedy, also starring Chevy Chase, brought their comedic dynamic to the big screen, grossing nearly $40 million at the box office.
In 1987, Martin starred opposite the late John Candy in the beloved holiday classic Planes, Trains & Automobiles. Their on-screen chemistry was legendary, and Martin reflected on their bond in his recent documentary, stating, “John Candy was very sensitive and very complex and we really loved each other.” He famously recalled weeping while Candy performed a particular monologue, underscoring the deep emotional connection of their performance.
His acting prowess earned him widespread critical recognition, including four of his impressive eight Golden Globe Award nominations to date. He garnered a nomination for his role as a stressed-out dad in Ron Howard’s 1989 classic Parenthood, and another for his hilarious and relatable portrayal of the titular character in 1991’s Father of the Bride, which also earned him an MTV Movie Award nomination.
Beyond his film roles, Martin maintained a remarkable presence on television, particularly on Saturday Night Live. Though never an official cast member, he boasts an incredible record of 16 hosting appearances since the late 1970s, in addition to countless guest spots. His ability to seamlessly integrate into the ensemble, as evidenced by sketches like a 1991 performance alongside Mike Myers, Julia Sweeney, and Dana Carvey, made him an honorary institution.
Personal Chapters and a Return to the Spotlight
While his professional life flourished, Martin also embarked on significant personal chapters. He dated Broadway icon Bernadette Peters in the early 1980s, their paths having initially crossed through Kenny Rogers’ celebrity softball league in the late 1970s. He also shared a relationship with Mary Tyler Moore in the 1980s, supporting her at the 1982 premiere of Six Weeks. From 1986 to 1994, he was married to actress Victoria Tennant.
In 2007, Martin married writer Anne Stringfield, whom he met when she fact-checked a comedic essay he had submitted to The New Yorker. At the age of 67, a significant milestone for a first-time parent, Martin became a father when Stringfield gave birth to their daughter, Mary. He openly praised his wife in 2015, saying, “She makes it all possible. She has one of the most important qualities a person can have — and that’s kindness.”
After a period of more limited film and television appearances in the 2010s, Martin made a triumphant return to screens. In 2006, he co-wrote and starred in a successful reboot of The Pink Panther film series, taking on the iconic role of Inspector Jacques Clouseau. He defended the decision to revive the franchise, telling IndieLondon, “Movies have been remade since the 1920s… To me, The Pink Panther is Hamlet for comedians.” The film went on to gross over $158 million worldwide, proving his enduring box office appeal.
His most recent and perhaps most celebrated comeback is Only Murders in the Building, the Hulu series that reunited him with his longtime friend Martin Short and introduced a new dynamic with Selena Gomez. The award-winning show, which has garnered critical acclaim and numerous Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for its cast, has solidified his status as a contemporary television star.
In 2022, Martin reflected on his storied career, hinting that Only Murders in the Building might be his final act. He told The Hollywood Reporter, “When this television show is done, I’m not going to seek others. I’m not going to seek other movies. I don’t want to do cameos. This is, weirdly, it.” As Steve Martin reaches this milestone birthday, his prolific body of work ensures his legacy as a comedic pioneer, a versatile artist, and a true Hollywood icon will continue to entertain and inspire generations.
