Full Name: Stephen Glenn Martin (Steve Martin)
Date of Birth: August 14, 1945
Place of Birth: Waco, Texas, USA
Nationality: American
Occupations: Actor, Comedian, Writer, Musician, Producer
Years Active: 1967–present
Early Life and Education:
Steve Martin grew up in Inglewood and Garden Grove, California. As a teenager, he worked at Disneyland, where he honed early skills in magic, juggling, and balloon animals. He studied philosophy at California State University, Long Beach, but eventually switched to theater and dropped out to pursue a career in comedy.
Comedy Career:
Martin first gained attention as a writer for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in the late 1960s, winning an Emmy Award in 1969. His stand-up comedy career took off in the 1970s with a unique style that combined absurdism, intellectual wit, and physical comedy.
Albums & Stand-Up Fame:
- Let’s Get Small (1977)
- A Wild and Crazy Guy (1978) – both Grammy-winning albums
His catchphrases and eccentric persona made him one of the most popular comedians of the era. He eventually left stand-up at the peak of his fame in the early 1980s to focus on acting and writing.
Film Career:
Steve Martin became a box office star with films that showcased his comedic versatility and often quirky charm:
Notable Films:
- The Jerk (1979) – breakout film he also co-wrote
- Roxanne (1987) – earned a Writers Guild Award
- Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
- Parenthood (1989)
- Father of the Bride (1991) and its sequel
- Bowfinger (1999) – co-starred with Eddie Murphy
- Cheaper by the Dozen (2003) and Pink Panther (2006)
He has also shown depth in dramatic roles, including The Spanish Prisoner (1997) and Shopgirl (2005), which he wrote based on his novella.
Writing and Music:
Martin is an accomplished writer:
- Plays: Picasso at the Lapin Agile
- Novels: Shopgirl (2000), An Object of Beauty (2010)
- Memoirs: Born Standing Up (2007), a critically acclaimed look at his stand-up years
He’s also an acclaimed banjo player, blending bluegrass and comedy:
- Albums with the Steep Canyon Rangers
- Grammy wins for Best Bluegrass Album
- Honors include the prestigious American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame induction
Recent Work:
Martin has continued performing, often collaborating with friend and fellow comedian Martin Short. Their Netflix specials and live tours have been widely praised.
He currently stars in the hit Hulu series Only Murders in the Building (2021–present), alongside Martin Short and Selena Gomez. The show has received Emmy nominations and helped introduce Martin to a new generation.
Personal Life:
Steve Martin married writer Anne Stringfield in 2007. They have one daughter. Known for being private, Martin is also an avid art collector and admirer of modern art.
Awards and Honors:
- Emmy Award (writing)
- Multiple Grammy Awards (comedy & bluegrass)
- Honorary Oscar (2013)
- Kennedy Center Honors (2007)
- Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (2005)
