Steve Martin Biography

Steve Martin got his taste for performing while working at Disneyland and nearby Knotts Berry Farm when he was a teenager.

With his newfound skills in juggling, tap-dancing and balloon sculpting, he went on to study Philosophy and Theatre at U.C.L.A.

Having developed a reputation for television writing, for such shows as Dick Van Dyke and Sonny & Cher, Martin’s next move was into stand-up comedy. His break into films came in ‘Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band’ in 1977. However, it wasn’t until the 80s that he would enjoy a successful run of hits. The films ‘All of Me’, ‘Roxanne’, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ and ‘Planes, Trains & Automobiles’ helped make their kooky star a household name.

Martin’s career throughout the 90s continued to blossom in an eclectic way, with successful movies interspersed with less successful ventures. However, ‘Father of the Bride’ and ‘L.A. Story’ both did well at the box office.

Martin won much-praise for the film ‘Bowfinger’, a comedy that cast him as an unsuccessful movie director trying to make a film without the aid of a real script or star.

In 2001's ‘Novocaine’, he played a dentist for the second time in his career, and although the movie didn’t perform all that well at the box-office, his collaboration with Queen Latifah in ‘Bringing Down The House’ faired much better.

As well as acting, Martin continues to write, with his novella ‘Shopgirl’ becoming a best seller in the US. His most recent literary outing, ‘The Pleasure Of My Company’ tells the story of a troubled man who finds love, and life, in the most unexpected place.

In 2005, Martin starred in a screen adaptation of Shopgirl. Martin plays a wealthy businessman who strikes up a romance with a Saks 5th Avenue counter girl. He also starred in Cheaper by the Dozen 2 that year.

Martin's last work to date was the 2006 installment of The Pink Panther, standing in Peter Sellers' shoes as the bumbling Inspector Clouseau. In 2007, he announced on his website that he would likely be starting work on the sequel later in the year.

In July 2007, Martin married Anne Stringfield at his home in LA. Several of the guests, including close friends Tom Hanks and Eugene Levy, were not informed that a wedding ceremony would take place. Instead, they were told they were invited to a party!