Biography & Career Of Steve Martin

Forum 2 days ago

Biography & Career Of Steve Martin

Steve Martin is a multifaceted personality, known for his work as an Actor, comedian, writer, musician, and producer.

Steve initially gained widespread recognition as a stand-up comedian in the 1970s, but his starring role in the 1979 film The Jerk solidified his status as a leading figure in Hollywood.

Over the years, Steve‘s contributions to comedy and film, as well as his work as a playwright and author, have made him a prominent figure in American entertainment.

Early Life and Education

Steve Martin, now 79, was born on August 14, 1945, in Waco, Texas. He grew up in a modest household with his father, Glenn Vernon Martin, an aspiring actor and real estate salesman, and his mother, Mary Lee Martin, a homemaker.

Steve‘s early years were spent in Inglewood, California, and later, in Garden Grove, where his father influenced him to expose him to entertainment. He has one sister, Melinda Martin.

Steve attended Garden Grove High School, where he graduated with honours. His interest in performing arts was evident early on, and he furthered his education at Santa Ana College, studying acting and English poetry.

During this period, Steve also worked at Disneyland, where he honed his skills in magic and comedy by performing for visitors. His pursuit of education led him to California State University, Long Beach, where he initially majored in philosophy.

However, his growing interest in performing arts prompted him to transfer to UCLA in 1967, where he changed his theatre major. Although he eventually dropped out of college to focus on his burgeoning career in entertainment, his academic background in philosophy and literature would later influence his work as a writer and comedian.

Personal Life

Steve Martin‘s personal life has included many high-profile relationships and marriages. In the early 1980s, he was romantically linked to Bernadette Peters, his co-star in “The Jerk” and “Pennies from Heaven.”

Their relationship was widely publicized, but it eventually ended. Steve‘s first marriage was to actress Victoria Tennant in 1986. The couple had met while working together on the film “All of Me.” However, their marriage ended in divorce in 1994.

In 2007, Steve married Anne Stringfield, a writer and former staffer at The New Yorker. The wedding was a private affair held at Steve‘s Los Angeles home, with notable guests such as Tom Hanks and Diane Keaton in attendance.

The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Mary, in 2012 when Steve was 67 years old. This late fatherhood has been a significant and cherished part of his life. Steve and Anne continue to live a relatively private life, away from the constant glare of the media.

Career

Steve Martin’s career began in the 1960s when he wrote for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.” His work on the show earned him an Emmy Award in 1969 for Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy, Variety, or Music.

He soon became a frequent guest on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and began making a name for himself as a stand-up comedian. His stand-up routines, known for their absurdist humour and banjo playing, led to the release of several successful comedy albums, including “Let’s Get Small” and “A Wild and Crazy Guy.”

In the late 1970s, Steve transitioned to film, achieving widespread fame with the 1979 release of “The Jerk.” The film, which he co-wrote, showcased his unique comedic style and became a box-office hit.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Steve starred in a series of successful films, including “Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid,” “Three Amigos,” “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” “Parenthood,” “Father of the Bride,” and “L.A. Story.”

In addition to acting, Steve has written several plays and books. His play “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” received critical acclaim, and his novels, including “Shopgirl” and “The Pleasure of My Company,” were well-received.

Steve‘s career has also seen him explore his musical talents, particularly with the banjo. He has released several bluegrass albums and won Grammy Awards for his work in music.

Awards

• – 1969: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy, Variety or Music (The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour)

• – 1978: Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album (Let’s Get Small)

• – 1979: Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album (A Wild and Crazy Guy)

• – 2001: American Comedy Awards Lifetime Achievement Award

• – 2005: Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

• – 2013: Honorary Academy Award

• – 2018: Grammy Award for Best Americana Album (with The Steep Canyon Rangers for “The Long-Awaited Album”)

Net Worth

Steve Martin’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $140 million. His wealth is primarily derived from his extensive career in entertainment, including his work as a comedian, actor, writer, and musician.

Controversy

Steve Martin has maintained a relatively clean public image throughout his career, avoiding scandals that often plague Hollywood celebrities. However, he has not been entirely free of controversy.

One notable incident occurred in 2013 when he made a joke on Twitter that was widely perceived as racially insensitive. The tweet, which involved a play on words relating to Italian cuisine and African-American names, sparked outrage among some of his followers.

Steve quickly deleted the tweet and apologized, acknowledging that the joke was inappropriate and offensive. He regretted his lapse in judgment and took responsibility for the mistake.

Another controversy surrounding Steve Martin occurred in 2011. It was revealed that Steve had unknowingly purchased a forged painting. The painting “Landscape with Horses,” was attributed to the German-Dutch artist Heinrich Campendonk and was part of Steve’s extensive art collection.

The forgery was discovered after Steve attempted to sell the painting, leading to a scandal highlighting the prevalence of art fraud in the high-end market. Despite the setback, Steve continued to be an avid art collector and has since taken greater precautions when acquiring new pieces.

Filmography

• – The Jerk (1979)

• – Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982)

• – The Man with Two Brains (1983)

• – Three Amigos (1986)

• – Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

• – Roxanne (1987)

• – Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

• – Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)

• – Parenthood (1989)

• – Father of the Bride (1991)

• – L.A. Story (1991)

• – Leap of Faith (1992)

• – Bowfinger (1999)

• – Bringing Down the House (2003)

• – Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)

• – The Pink Panther (2006)

• – It’s Complicated (2009)

• – Only Murders in the Building (2021)

Discography

• – Let’s Get Small (1977)

• – A Wild and Crazy Guy (1978)

• – Comedy Is Not Pretty! (1979)

• – The Steve Martin Brothers (1981)

• – Rare Bird Alert (2011)

• – The Long-Awaited Album (2017)

Books

• – Cruel Shoes (1979)

• – Shopgirl (2000)

• – The Pleasure of My Company (2003)

• – Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life (2007)

• – An Object of Beauty (2010)

• – The Ten, Make That Nine, Habits of Very Organized People. Make That Ten. (2012)

• – A Wealth of Pigeons: A Cartoon Collection (2020)