Steve Martin: filmography, biography, career

Childhood and youth

Stephen Glenn (Steve) Martin (the actor's full name) was born on August 14, 1945 in the provincial town of Waco in the southern United States (Texas), but spent his childhood in Southern California. The future actor grew up and was brought up in a poor religious family, his parents professed Baptistism, so Mr. Glen Vernon Martin and Mrs. Mary Lee held weekly services every Sunday, and also participated in meetings where they prayed and discussed the Bible.

Actor Steve Martin

Steve's father was not far from creativity; for example, during the Second World War in the United Kingdom, he played in the production of Our Town along with Raymond Massey. However, his further career in the theater field was not successful. The actor recalled that Martin Sr. was stern, unemotional, extremely proud and critical of his son. And, although he gave his son gifts, the relationship between Glen and Steve did not work out: as a teenager, the future artist did not like his father.

Steve Martin in his youth

Since the Martin family did not live in luxury, young Steve had to earn money with his own hands: the young man worked at the Disneyland amusement park, where he served tennis balls, and also entertained passers-by with magic tricks and playing a plucked string instrument, the banjo. In addition, he worked part-time as a loader and postman: before classes at school, the future actor delivered morning newspapers.

Steve Martin with banjo

After graduating from a general education institution, Steve enters the University of California, where he studies philosophy. Perhaps in the future Martin would recite the works of Descartes or tell students about the general principles of John Locke’s worldview, but to the delight of avid film fans this did not happen: Martin’s relationship with a special form of knowledge of the world did not work out.

Steve Martin in childhood and youth

Stephen thought about his acting future by chance: the thought that he would become a successful comedian struck Martin like a bolt from the blue. Therefore, the young man began to realize his artistic talent, performing as a stand-up comedian in front of a live audience on the stages of clubs and pubs. By the way, another famous American actor, Michael Keaton, began his creative biography in a similar way. Martin later admitted that he drew inspiration from the works of other comedians: Charlie Chaplin, Jack Benny, Steve Allen, etc.

Comedian Steve Martin

In the 1960s, the actor began to get involved in filmmaking: he wrote scripts and also composed various dialogues and skits for comedy shows. And, of course, the gifted guy was noticed by television producers, who invited Stephen to the position of screenwriter for the humorous television program “The Comedy Hour with Sonny and Cher.” The future actor achieved significant success in this field, and for two albums (“Crazy Guy” and “Let’s Do a Little”) he received the prestigious American Grammy award.

Filmography of the actor and star trek

After school, Steve Martin studied English poetry and acting in college. At the same time, he participated in various theatrical productions. After some time, Martin met the aspiring actress Stormy Sherk, with whom he began an affair. It was she who pushed Martin to enroll in a philosophy course at the University of California. Steve, inspired by lectures on philosophy, decided to get the title of professor and abandon his career as an actor-comedian. However, at the age of 21, he quits school, because he understands that comedy is his life’s work.

Steve Martin began working as a stand-up in various clubs. In 1967, Steve, with the help of friends, got a job as a writer on the famous television show “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.” Just two years later, at 23, Steve Martin wins an Emmy for his comedy writing on the show.

However, Steve Martin's cherished dream was to get into films. He received his first role in 1977 in the short film “The Absent-Minded Waiter.” Martin wrote the script for the seven-minute film himself. This picture was nominated for an Oscar. In 1979, Steve Martin again acted as a screenwriter and actor in the film “The Idiot.” The work was a stunning success: the film grossed more than $100 million with a budget of only $4 million.

In 1987, Steve played the main role in the film “Roxanne,” which was filmed based on his script. This picture brings Steve not only the love of the audience, but also an award from the Writers Guild of the USA for best screenplay and an award from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association for best role.

For his role in the second part of the acclaimed film “Father of the Bride,” Steve was nominated for a Golden Globe.

In the 1990s, Steve Martin became interested in writing. In 1993, he wrote his first play about the artist Pablo Picasso. The production took place in one of the theaters in Chicago, and later performances took place in Los Angeles and New York. In 2007, Steve Martin published a memoir that TIME magazine named one of the best autobiographical books.

Steve Martin enjoyed playing the banjo throughout his life. In 2002, he won a Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance. In 2009, Steve Martin released his album The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo, which was nominated for Best Bluegrass Album.

And in 2010, Steve Martin created his own award for achievements in bluegrass and banjo playing. Prize winners are awarded $50,000 in cash, as well as a bronze statuette and the opportunity to perform with Steve at an event.

Movies

Steve Martin's debut work in front of the director's cameras was the humorous short film “The Absent-Minded Waiter” (1977), in which the actor literally made TV viewers shudder with laughter. The plot of this independent film tells the story of a catering worker who in the blink of an eye ruined the evening for the guests of an expensive restaurant: an inattentive young man in a bow tie managed not only to mix up the orders, but also almost caused a quarrel among the visitors, causing a real pogrom in the establishment. Then the actor occasionally participated in the filming of the films “Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club” (1978) and “The Muppet Movie” (1979).

Steve Martin

But in Carl Reiner’s film “The Idiot” (1979), the comedian got his first leading role. The plot of this ironic and slightly absurd picture revolves around Naveen Johnson, who one day finds out that he is an adopted child. Therefore, the main character decides to distance himself from the tutelage of his black parents and sets out on his own. Thus, a kind but stupid village boy finds himself in a metropolis, and, as you know, in a big city life is in full swing.

Steve Martin in the movie "The Jerk"

Paradoxically, in 1981, Steve Martin tried his hand at a non-comedy role: he appeared in Herbert Ross's musical drama Pennies from Heaven. But why the director called America’s main merry fellow for such a complex role was incomprehensible to some film fans. However, the actor surprised TV viewers and coped with his task brilliantly, playing the serious brown-haired Arthur Parker, who is hunting for the money of his beloved’s father.

“They shot me without a stunt double, so I just moved my legs and acted stupid, which is what I’ve been doing all my life,” Martin said of his role in Pennies from Heaven.

A year later, Steve Martin took part in the crime comedy Dead Men Don't Wear Plaids. The monochrome film tells the story of private detective Rigby Reardon, who goes to great lengths while investigating a complicated murder case. This film can be considered a pure parody of noir cinema of the 40s and 50s: the actors and filmmakers managed to dilute the pessimistic and cynical atmosphere of the black-and-white thriller with notes of humor, self-irony and sarcasm.

Steve Martin in the movie Dead Men Don't Wear Plaids

In 1983, the actor again collaborated with director Carl Reiner. This time, television viewers were presented with the comedy film “Brains on One Side.” There, Steve Martin reincarnated as a mad scientist and part-time brilliant surgeon - Professor Michael Hwuhruhurra, who came up with a new method of operation - the “screw-top skull”. However, a meeting with the fatal temptress Dolores (Kathleen Turner) radically changes his life.

Then in 1984, the comedian starred in Arthur Hiller’s film “The Lonely Guy.” Although this film is a comedy, its plot did not start off on happy notes: the protagonist Larry found his beloved Danielle in the arms of his lover. Steve Martin managed to get used to the role and perfectly convey the despair of a deceived lonely man.

Steve Martin in the movie "Lonely Guy"

In 1986, the stand-up comedian was lucky enough to take part in the chilling absurd comedy Little Shop of Horrors, a remake of the 1960 film of the same name, where Jack Nicholson played. The story of this crazy picture, which is filled with plenty of black humor, cannot be called simple, because the audience had to watch an ominous flower feeding on human flesh.

Steve will also be remembered by film fans for Frank Oz’s film “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” (1988), which tells about two great schemers - Freddie Benson (Nathan Kress) and Lawrence Jamieson (Michael Caine), who deceive naive ladies and gentlemen no worse than the famous Ostap Bender from the novel “12 Chairs” by Ilf and Petrov.

Michael Caine, Glenne Headly and Steve Martin in the comedy Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Steve Martin's notable roles can be listed for a long time, because his track record includes more than 50 works, among which the actor mainly appeared as the main character. But it’s impossible not to talk about the crime franchise “The Pink Panther” (2006), because there the actor played the role of the chief inspector of the French police, Jacques Clouseau.

Steve Martin in the comedy "The Pink Panther"

It is not surprising that director Shawn Levy gave this role to Martin, because Jacques is a completely incompetent and absent-minded detective who is used to getting into funny situations. However, according to rumors, the main character could equally well be played by Kevin Spacey, Mike Myers and Chris Tucker. Kevin Kline, Jean Reno, Emily Mortimer, Jason Statham, Beyonce Knowles and others also played in “The Pink Panther,” interpreted in a new way.

Steve Martin: It's easier to make fun of people when you're young

By the way, he is a genuine intellectual: he studied philosophy in college, and in his spare time writes absurdist plays and stories for the highly intellectual magazine The New Yorker. “I love creative work, not just in front of the camera, but behind it,” actor, screenwriter, producer, best-selling author, art collector, Oscar host, and Grammy-winning banjoist Steve Martin told me. Having just starred in another hilariously stupid (but paradoxically not insulting to the intelligence) comedy, “The Pink Panther 2” - a continuation of the newly launched film series about the adventures of Inspector Clouseau, the most incompetent detective on Earth, who easily solves any crimes.

"I love Charlie Chaplin"

— What made you take on the role, which Peter Sellers had already played with great success?

— At first, a remake of “The Pink Panther” seemed absolutely impossible to me. This is one of those taboos that seemed impossible to cross. But water wears away stones. Gradually, the taboo turned into an interesting task, a challenge that we, the authors of this project, challenged ourselves. I didn’t even notice how I started working on the “remake” of the old series. Director Shawn Levy, with whom I had a great relationship after the film Cheaper by the Dozen, was also interested in the project. I wrote a few script ideas, and that’s how it all started. The fact is that Inspector Clouseau was created by actor Peter Sellers, and director Blake Edwards came up with the structure of the Pink Panther comedies, in which “physical” gags and stunts occupy an important place. These conditions had to be met. The first thing I cared about was whether I could imitate a French accent. When I realized that I could do this, I agreed to this role. Of course, my goal is not to beat Sellers. But thanks to our pictures, the memory of the old series will live on.

— There is another famous series that is subject to “reformatting” from time to time - about James Bond.

— Yes, Bond was also played by different actors, and no one objects to that. In fact, I am the fifth or sixth person to play Inspector Clouseau, after Sellers, Alan Arkin, Roberto Benigni and I don’t remember who else.

— In the history of cinema there are many famous films that can be “remade” in a new way...

“There’s no point in me thinking about it!” After all, I still won’t be able to play in the new version of “Casablanca”...

—Who is your favorite comedian of all time?

— I really love Laurel and Hardy (American comedians, popular in the 1920-40s - S.T.), my interest in comedy began with them. I adore Charlie Chaplin for his paradox, sophistication and incredible talent. He was the first comedian and therefore the best. The first ones are always the best, look at the impressionists... I was also very influenced by Jerry Louis (American comedian, popular in the 1960-80s - S.T.), I watched his films as a teenager. Peter Sellers, by the way, was not a comedian. He was a comedian. And this is a big difference. For example, Jim Carrey is a comedian...

— Do you consider yourself a comedian or comedian?

- A comedian. I still perform comic monologues on television.

“I wanted to become an electrician, but then I changed my mind”

— When you were a child, did you dream of becoming a comedian?

— Yes, I always wanted to do comedy. No, at the age of 10 I wanted to become an electrician, but then I changed my mind.

—Have you ever wanted to play serious roles?

“It makes no sense for me to do an average drama.” If they offer something worthwhile, I agree with pleasure. Like, for example, in “The Spanish Prisoner” by David Mamet. I enjoy acting in comedy, but this is a very serious activity. Director Frank Oz, with whom I made perhaps my best films, including Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, sometimes comes up to me after a take and sternly says: “Make it funnier!” And I understand what he means.

— Comedy gags require endless rehearsals. Isn't it boring?

— Of course, many physical elements have to be rehearsed, but some I play without any preparation. Like my flamenco performance in Pink Panther 2, for example. I didn't take any flamenco lessons, I just said, "Turn the cameras." I really liked the result myself.

— What makes you compose?

“I write because I like the intimacy of this activity. There is no one, just you and the phrase you compose. I can do this anywhere. I've been on the road all my life. First as a touring comedian, then as a film actor. A desk turns a hotel room into a home.

“Not all comedians are unhappy!”

Is it harder to joke as you get older?

“Over the years, more compassion for people appears. When you're young, it's easier to make fun of people. When you're young, you don't feel the pain you can cause. Now, when I receive scripts from young people in which my character insults someone, I ask them to correct it.

— And in “The Pink Panther” there is a very funny scene in which you mock the Pope himself.

- This is an innocent joke, not at all offensive! The Pope and the Catholic Church have been the butt of jokes for the last millennium! I don't see any scandal here. I didn’t parody the real Pope, it’s just that my hero ends up in his costume. It was funny walking from my trailer to the set. It’s good that we filmed not in Rome, but in Boston.

— Do you laugh when you see yourself on the screen?

- Sometimes. But mostly I cover my face with my hands. I love watching my fellow comedians on stage because I did it myself for 18 years. I like to return mentally to my past.

— They say that comedians are actually difficult, gloomy, unhappy people.

- I think it's a myth. I know a lot of comedians who are quite happy in their personal lives. And if they are sad, it is not at all because they are comedians. I would pose the question more broadly. How happy can an artist be? After all, one becomes an artist to express some kind of pain. Whether this is typical only for comedians, I don’t know. It's a convenient cliche that a clown must be sad. But it cannot be extended to all comedians.

— Do you already have any thoughts regarding the new series of “The Pink Panther”?

— I’m starting to sketch. If the second film ends with a wedding, then the third, logically, should begin with a honeymoon.

PRIVATE BUSSINESS

Stiva Martin was born on August 14, 1945 in Texas and grew up in California. In the late 1960s, he wrote sketches for television, for which he was awarded an Emmy Award. Then he began performing his humorous works in clubs and on TV.

After his success on Saturday Night Live, he landed the lead role in the film The Jerk. He has written scripts for many of his films, writes theater plays, children's books and novels, and Martin's autobiographical book, Born to Be a Comedian, was recently published. One of the biggest stars of American comedy, whose fee for the film exceeded 10 million, Martin was awarded the American Cinematheque Award in 2004.

Steve Martin's 5 Best Movies:

"Little Shop of Horrors"

"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels"

"Father of the Bride"

"Cheaper in bulk"

"Pink Panther"

Personal life

Surprisingly, in America Martin has a reputation as a serious conversationalist: some of his colleagues have repeatedly said that the actor is a secretive person who does not like to communicate with people. But some journalists have dispelled this stereotype, because, at least at press conferences, Stephen behaves openly, delighting the media with sparkling jokes and banjo playing (Steve even has his own country band, Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers).

Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers

From Martin’s personal life it is known that he loves collecting works of famous artists. His arsenal includes works by Picasso, Maxfield Parrish, Lucian Freud, etc. Although the actor is well versed in paintings and is a curator of exhibitions, he fell for the scammers, becoming a victim of the falsification of the century. In the summer of 2004, the comedian purchased Heinrich Campendonck's Landscape with a Horse for $850,000. However, while trying to sell this painting at auction, Martin discovered that Campendonck's work was a fake.

Painting by Heinrich Campendonk “Landscape with a Horse”

As for the actor’s love affairs, they are no secret to anyone. Stephen's first muse was the American actress Bernadette Peters, whose relationship lasted until the early 1980s. Then came an affair with Victoria Tennant: in the fall of 1986 they got married, but after eight years of living together the couple divorced.

Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters

In the summer of 2007, Martin proposed marriage to journalist (former employee of The New Yorker weekly) Anna Stringfield. The lovers got married at Steve's mansion in Los Angeles, and the comedian's best man was television producer Lorne Michaels.

Steve Martin and Victoria Tennant

It is noteworthy that the invited guests Martina and Stringfield (among whom were Tom Hanks and Diane Keaton) until the very end thought that they were going to a house party. In the winter of 2012, Anna gave her husband a daughter. Thus, the 67-year-old comedian became a dad for the first time.

Steve Martin and Anna Stringfield

Unfortunately, the famous actor is not registered on Instagram, but Steve Martin actively shares news with fans on Twitter. As of 2020, the comedian has almost 9 million subscribers.

Actor's childhood

As you know, Steve Martin's family lived quite poorly. That is why the young boy decided not to sit on his parents’ necks, but to go earn a living on his own. Few people know that the future famous actor worked part-time as a newspaper delivery boy in one of the local companies. Steve was not at all ashamed to work. While still very young, he had already worked as a loader, assistant shoemaker, etc.

Only at the age of 20, Steve Martin, whose filmography is still of interest to everyone, began to think about the big screen. The guy became seriously interested in writing jokes for one of the local comedy programs.

Steve Martin now

In 2020, Steve Martin starred alongside Kristen Stewart, Joe Alwyn, Chris Tucker and Vin Diesel in the war drama Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk.

Steve Martin in 2017

It is noteworthy that this is the second film in Martin’s career, the plot of which is related to Thanksgiving (previously, in 1987, he played in the film “Planes, Trains, Cars”).

Steve Martin on Cosmo.ru

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Filmography

• "The Absent-Minded Waiter" (1977);
• "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club" (1978);
• "The Jerk" (1979);
• "Penny from the Sky" (1981);
• “Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaids” (1982);
• “Brains on one side” (1983);
• "Lonely Guy" (1984);
• Little Shop of Horrors (1986);
• "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" (1988);
• "Father of the Bride" (1991);
• "A Psycho Christmas" (1994);
• "Sergeant Bilko" (1996);
• “Cheaper by the Wholesale” (2003);
• "The Pink Panther" (2006);
• "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" (2016).

Filmography[ | ]