Steve Martin Biography

Steve Martin's hometown — Waco, Texas, is probably more well know for the horrifying conflagration of the Branch Davidians than it is for being the birthplace of this comic gem. Although born in Waco, Martin was actually brought up the son of a real-estate executive in Southern California.

He began his show business career at the age of 18, selling guidebooks and doing magic tricks at Disneyland. He later added some banjo playing and comedy routines to his act.

A major in philosophy at California State University, Martin had serious thoughts about becoming a teacher until the drama bug hit and he switched to UCLA where he graduated with a degree in theater arts.

His first step into the limelight was as a writer for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, for which he was honored in 1969 with an Emmy. He also wrote for Sonny and Cher and other acts before taking his own routines on to the stage and then recording his own Wild and Crazy Guy antics.

It was on Saturday Night Live where Steve garnered the huge audience he can still command today. In fact, he has made more appearances on 'SNL' than anyone else—close behind him is Buck Henry.

Steve made his feature film debut in 1977 and scored his first hit two years later with The Jerk. He's since had an up and down film career, but continues to enjoy success as the gray-haired guy who's always good for a laugh. Other film projects include the romantic comedy It's Complicated (2009), alongside Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin, the comedy The Big Year (2011), opposite Owen Wilson and Jack Black, the animated flick Home (2015), voiced by Jim Parsons and Rihanna, and the drama Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk (2016), starring Kristen Stewart and Vin Diesel. As for his success, he says, "First people discover you and they love you. You get big and then you fail. And people are glad that you fail."

Steve created the Hulu/Disney+ series Only Murders in the Building (2021 to 2023), which has enjoyed three seasons to date and won three Primetime Emmy Awards. He stars in the series opposite longtime friend Martin Short and Selena Gomez. All three leads received Golden Globe nominations in 2023, and Steve and Martin also received Golden Globe nominations in 2022.

Whether true or not, he once told reporters that he had business cards printed up for all those fans that would approach him that said something like: "This certifies that you had a real encounter with Steve Martin and found him to be kind, courteous, charming and witty."

Married to actress Victoria Tennant in 1986, he divorced her in 1994. He married second wife Anne Stringfield on July 28, 2007. They have one child together.

In 2000 Steve was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Comedy from the American Comedy Awards. He has been nominated for a Golden Globe five times and won two People's Choice Awards.

Filmography:

Only Murders in the Building (2021-2023)
Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk (2016)
Love the Coopers (2015)
Home (2015) (Voice)
The Big Year (2011)
Topper (2010)
It's Complicated (2009)
The Pink Panther 2 (2009)
Baby Mama (2008)
The Pink Panther (2006)
Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2005)
Shopgirl (2005)
Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)
Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003)
Bringing Down the House (2003)
Novocaine (2001)
Remember the Titans (2000)
Joe Gould's Secret (2000)
Fantasia 2000 (1999)
Bowfinger (1999)
The Out-of-Towners (1999)
The Venice Project (1999)
Prince of Egypt (1998) (voice)
The Spanish Prisoner (1997)
Sgt. Bilko (1996)
Father of the Bride Part II (1995)
Mixed Nuts (1994)
A Simple Twist of Fate (1994) [Also Writer and Executive Producer]
HouseSitter (1992)
Leap of Faith (1992)
L.A. Story (1991) [Also Writer and Executive Producer]
Father of the Bride (1991)
Grand Canyon (1991)
My Blue Heaven (1990)
Parenthood (1989)
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)
Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)
Roxanne (1987) [Also Writer and Executive Producer]
Little Shop of Horrors (1986) Three Amigos! (1986) [Also Writer and Executive Producer]
Movers and Shakers (1985)
The Lonely Guy (1984)
All of Me (1984)
The Man with Two Brains (1983) [Also Writer]
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982) [Also Writer]
Pennies from Heaven (1981)
The Kids Are Alright (1979)
The Jerk (1979)
The Muppet Movie(1979)
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)