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Steve Martin

Comedy history · 15 facts, each from at least two of 15 independent sources · last reviewed 2026-10-17

Steve Martin is a comedian, actor, writer, and musician.1,2,3,4,5 His appearances on Saturday Night Live turned him into a star.6,7 His work includes television, comedy recordings, films, and a stage play.2,4,5,7,8,9,10,11,12

Early Life and Education

Martin was raised in Orange County, California.8,13 In college he first studied philosophy.8,11 He later switched majors and moved to UCLA, where he took up theater.10,13

Television and Comedy Act

Martin contributed to the television program The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.8,9 He made several successful appearances on The Tonight Show.8,13,14 Making balloon animals was one element of his comedy act.6,13,15

Recordings

Several of Martin's comedy albums reached platinum status.8,10 His single King Tut sold a million copies.8,10

Film

Martin played the lead in Roxanne and in L.A. Story.4,5,7,11 He also starred with Lily Tomlin in the comedy All of Me.16,17

Stage and Other Projects

Martin is the author of the stage play Picasso at the Lapin Agile.2,7,12 He and Martin Short performed a comedy special together, and Netflix released it.4,18

Sources

  1. Number One Is Walking (macmillan.com)
  2. Of arts and sciences | La Grande Observer (lagrandeobserver.com) · archived copy
  3. A Wealth of Pigeons by Steve Martin (publishersweekly.com)
  4. Cartoonist Harry Bliss Collaborates With Comedian Steve Martin | Seven Days (sevendaysvt.com)
  5. Academy Unveils 2013 Governors Awards: Honorees Angelina Jolie, Angela Lansbury, Steve Martin, Piero Tosi (deadline.com)
  6. Steve Martin: The Television Stuff (avclub.com)
  7. Steve Martin's Memoir, 'Born Standing Up,' Describes the Meticulous Construction of Absurdity -- New York Magazine - Nymag (nymag.com)
  8. Steve Martin, a Mild and Crazy Guy - TIME (time.com)
  9. 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour' Oral History (hollywoodreporter.com)
  10. Steve Martin: The Rolling Stone Interview (rollingstone.com)
  11. Steve Martin's Memoir, 'Born Standing Up,' Describes the Meticulous Construction of Absurdity -- New York Magazine (nymag.com) · archived copy
  12. History: "Picasso At The Lapin Agile" (Oct. 13, 1993 - May. 12, 1994) | Steppenwolf Theatre Company (steppenwolf.org) · archived copy
  13. SteveMartin.com | Stop the Presses (stevemartin.com) · archived copy
  14. How A Wardrobe Change Transformed Steve Martin's Career | CBC Radio (cbc.ca)
  15. Books: But Seriously, Folks - TIME (time.com)
  16. STEVE MARTIN IN 'ALL OF ME' - NYTimes.com (nytimes.com) · archived copy
  17. Oscars: the best actors never to have been nominated | Oscars | The Guardian (theguardian.com)
  18. Steve Martin & Martin Short Comedy Series From Dan Fogelman Ordered By Hulu (deadline.com)

Updated November 12, 2026.

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