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Engraved portrait of Steve Martin
Comedy · 1980s

Steve Martin

Still with us 1945–present
Five, for comedy and bluegrass recordingsGrammy Awards
Awarded in 2013 for his body of workHonorary Oscar
Received in 2005 for American humorMark Twain Prize
Recognized in 2007Kennedy Center Honors
The Turning Point

Across the late 1970s Martin became one of America's biggest stand-up comedians, selling out arenas with his absurdist 'wild and crazy guy' act. In 1979 he made the leap to film with 'The Jerk,' a smash that established him as a movie star and reshaped his career around acting and writing.

Disneyland to the Smothers Brothers

Stephen Glenn Martin was born in Waco, Texas, in 1945 and grew up in Southern California. He worked as a Disneyland magician before writing for 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,' winning an Emmy in 1969.

The Wild and Crazy Guy

Martin became one of the era's top stand-ups, filling arenas and winning Grammys for his comedy albums. He moved to film with 1979's 'The Jerk' and built a hit run including 'Roxanne' and 'Father of the Bride.'

Author, Musician, Streaming Star

Beyond acting, Martin is a bestselling author and Grammy-winning banjoist. In 2021 he co-created and starred in Hulu's 'Only Murders in the Building,' finding a new generation of fans alongside Martin Short.

Career Timeline

  1. 1945Born in Waco, Texas
  2. 1969Wins Emmy writing for the Smothers Brothers
  3. 1977Comedy album 'Let's Get Small' wins a Grammy
  4. 1979Stars in breakout film 'The Jerk'
  5. 1984Earns acclaim for 'All of Me'
  6. 1987Writes and stars in 'Roxanne'
  7. 1991Leads remake 'Father of the Bride'
  8. 2005Receives the Mark Twain Prize
  9. 2013Awarded an Honorary Academy Award
  10. 2021Co-creates and stars in 'Only Murders in the Building'

Biggest Hits

1977
Let's Get SmallGrammy-winning album from his arena-era stand-up
1979
The JerkBox-office hit that made him a film star
1984
All of MeBody-swap comedy showcased his physical timing
1987
RoxanneWrote and starred in modern Cyrano tale
1991
Father of the BrideWarm family remake became a wide hit
2021
Only Murders in the BuildingCo-created Hulu hit with Martin Short
Did You Know
  • Before fame, Martin honed his craft working as a magician and performer at Disneyland.
  • He is an accomplished bluegrass banjo player, winning a Grammy in 2010 for his album 'The Crow.'

Portrait: Joella Marano · CC BY-SA 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

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