Steve Martin
American comedian, actor, and writer who revolutionized stand-up comedy in the 1970s and became one of the most versatile entertainers in American history.
Steve Martin (born 1945) is an American comedian, actor, writer, playwright, producer, musician, and composer whose career has been defined by reinvention. In the 1970s, he was the biggest stand-up comedian in the world, selling out arenas and earning a level of fame that hadn't been seen since the Beatles.
Martin's stand-up was revolutionary because it was about stand-up. He deconstructed the form while performing it—wearing arrow-through-the-head gags, playing the banjo, doing "happy feet," and delivering material that was simultaneously silly and sophisticated. His albums "Let's Get Small" and "A Wild and Crazy Guy" went platinum.
At the peak of his stand-up fame, he walked away from it entirely to pursue film, where he proved equally gifted. "The Jerk," "Planes, Trains and Automobiles," "Roxanne," and "Bowfinger" showcased a range from broad physical comedy to genuine pathos.
His later career has included acclaimed writing (novellas, plays, New Yorker pieces), bluegrass banjo (Grammy-winning albums), and art collecting. "Only Murders in the Building" introduced him to a new generation as a comedic actor still at the top of his game. Martin's career is a masterclass in following curiosity wherever it leads.
