If you were making a Mount Rushmore of Comedy, Steve Martin ‘s face would be confidently carved into the rockface. He’s a living legend who singlehandedly redefined stand-up as well as comedic filmmaking.
His movies and comedy have stood the test of time.
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So as a way of reflecting and saying thank you, here are 10+ interesting things about Steve Martin fans didn’t know!
1. His first job was working for Disney.
Steve worked retail at Disneyland’s Magic Shop. There‘s actually a picture of him behind the register that you can see here .
I don’t know about you but I would not be OK with those creepy marionettes hanging over my head.
2. Steve is one of the greatest comedians of all time.
Back in 2017, Rolling Stone Magazine did a poll listing the “50 Best Stand-Up Comics of All Time.”
Steve just barely missed the Top 10, coming in at the #11 spot. So close, but so far.
3. He has a long and hilarious history with *The Muppets*.
Steve made a cameo appearance in 1979’s The Muppet Movie . He played the arrogant waiter to Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy.
Over the years, Steve would go on to make several guest appearances on The Muppet Show .
He even reunited with Kermit back in 2013 to film a segment for Funny Or Die!
I honestly don’t know who I’d give the edge to.
Yes, Steve may be the superior picker but Kermit is a frog for crying out loud! That has to count for something.
4. Steve has a life-long friendship with fellow comic, Martin Short.
Over the years, Steve and Martin have appeared alongside one another in some of the greatest comedic films of all time.
Their first movie together was Three Amigos but by far their best is Father of the Bride .
The friends reunited in 2018 to release their Netflix comedy special *An Evening You Will Forget For The Rest Of Your Life*.
Watching Steve and Martin on stage together is nothing short of marvelous.
They recall amusing anecdotes from their past, as well as hash out an array of brand new comedic material.
5. Steve taught a Master Class in comedy.
That’s right, you can now officially learn from one of the all-time comedic greats!
In the course, Steve covers everything from writing, his own personal process, editing, and more. He even throws in a few banjo medleys just for fun!
6. One of Steve’s all-time funniest bits involved a prop-arrow through the head.
Do you know how sometimes comedy can feel generational? Almost like how old horror movies aren’t necessarily scary by today’s standards? I feel like comedy often walks a similar line.
I just don’t understand why this was funny ? And I actually love Steve Martin!
7. He once appeared as a contestant on *The Dating Game*!
This was before Steve had made his big break into comedy. Back then he was still a struggling writer and actor looking for love.
His wit and humor prevailed and Steve was chosen for a date!
8. Steve has a ton of Grammy Awards and nominations.
Over the course of Steve’s career, he’s been nominated a total of fifteen times ! He’s won Best American Roots Song, Best Country Instrumental Performance, and Best Bluegrass Album!
He’s no slouch on the banjo, that’s for sure.
9. Steve wanted his comedy to be about more than just automatic responses and punchlines.
“The moment you say the punch line , the audience either laughs sincerely or they laugh automatically or they don’t laugh. The thing that bothered me was that automatic laugh. I said, ‘that’s not real laughter.'”
He goes on to describe how he was driven by authenticity above all else.
“What if I could get real laughter , like the kind you have at home or with your friends, where your sides are aching,” Steve said during an interview.
11. Steve popularized the use of “air quotes”.
I know, you probably thought that it was Dr. Evil in Austin Powers but you’re wrong!
Steve used to do the air quotes when he would appear as a guest on Saturday Night Live
12. Steve’s in a band!
Steve plays with a country and bluegrass group called The Steep Canyon Rangers. The band performed their latest single ” California ” during a visit to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert .
But that’s just the beginning of Steve’s musical accolades.
He actually has a Tiny Desk performance on NPR!
I don’t think I need to explain NPR’s ” Tiny Desk ” but just in case you aren’t familiar head on over to YouTube ASAP. You’ll be blown away.
Steve absolutely shreds on the banjo — he’s the real deal.
