Steve Martin is one of the most accomplished performers in film history. The actor, comedian, musician, writer, and producer became involved in the entertainment industry at a very young age. As a teenager, in fact, he began working at a community theater, and then landed a job at Disneyland. Quickly, however, he discovered his gift for comedy and started writing his own stand-up routines, as well as plays and even music. His breakthrough achievement during that time was his work as a writer for the comedy and variety show The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, which earned him his first Emmy Award. After that, per The Wrap, Martin became a frequent host on Saturday Night Live, and gradually, his stand-up shows became increasingly popular, filling theaters to the max.
By 1980, Martin took a break from comedy and devoted himself to a different passion: acting. He went on to appear in movie productions and eventually became a blockbuster movie star, taking part in more than 50 films over the course of his career. By the 2000s, he decided to pursue a third passion: music. Martin had been playing the banjo since he was a child, but from that decade on, he spent more time performing, recording and touring, which quickly paid off; his first album, The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo, landed him a Grammy Award.
In recognition of his career as an actor, comedian, and musician, Martin received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, the Kennedy Center Honors, and an AFI Life Achievement Award, as well as popular recognition as one of the Academy Awards’ funniest and most entertaining hosts. Martin is currently working on Only Murders in the Building, a Hulu TV series that, apart from starring alongside Martin Short and Selena Gomez, also gave him the opportunity to perform the roles of creator, writer, and executive producer. Its second season is expected to air on Hulu on June 28. As we wait for the premiere, let’s take a look at Steve Martin’s best movies, ranked.
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8 Father of the Bride
Touchstone Pictures
In this 90s romantic comedy, Martin stars as George Banks, a family man who has to face his greatest nightmare: his daughter, now grown up, has met a man and is going to marry him. Father of the Bride is a film that delves into a recurring fear that parents tend to have as their children grow up, while also incorporating several clichés and amusing situations to keep the audience entertained. Joining Martin in the cast are Diane Keaton, George Newbern, and Kimberly Williams in her acting debut. This production, inspired by the 1950 classic of the same name, was very well received by audiences, becoming a box-office hit and garnering several nominations and awards.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
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7 Roxanne
Columbia Pictures
In this modern retelling of Edmond Rostand’s 1897 verse play Cyrano de Bergera, Steve Martin was not only featured as the lead, but also participated as a writer, earning him a WGA Award. In Roxanne, Martin is Charlie C.D. Bales, a smart, athletic, and charming fire chief, yet haunted by one particular trait: his oversized nose. Unable to undergo surgery due to his allergy to anesthesia, C.D. has resigned himself to drawing people’s attention thus living deprived of a woman’s love — until he meets Roxanne (Daryl Hannah), with whom he falls madly in love. Naturally, their love story won’t be that easy, since, for as much as Roxanne loves C.D.’s personality, she is also charmed by Chris’ (Rick Rossovich) looks, something that discourages C.D. and makes him do a few unexpected things.
6 The Spanish Prisoner
Jasmine Productions Inc.
This 1997 thriller was written and directed by David Mamet and stars Campbell Scott, Steve Martin, Rebecca Pidgeon, Ben Gazzara, Felicity Huffman, Ricky Jay, and others. Nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Motion Picture Screenplay, The Spanish Prisoner revolves around Joe Ross (Scott), a brilliant scientist who has developed a lucrative secret invention for the company he works for. It doesn’t take long, though, before Ross becomes suspicious of his boss and his intentions with this process. Eventually, the man meets Jimmy Dell (Martin), a billionaire who offers to help him with his problem. But Jimmy may not be as good as he seems, so Joe finds himself caught in a spiral of mistrust, betrayal, intrigue, and even death.
5 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Orion Pictures
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a remake of the 1964 film Bedtime Story, starring Marlon Brando and David Niven. Directed by Frank Oz and written by Dale Launer, Stanley Shapiro, and Paul Henning — the latter two also writers of the original production — this film follows Freddy Benson (Martin) and Lawrence Jamieson (Michael Caine), two charming men who make a living by seducing rich women to get money out of them under the guise that it will be used for good causes. As neither of them wants to split territory with the other, they both make a bet: the first one to get $50,000 from Janet Colgate (Glenne Headly) will win and stay in town, whereas the other one must leave for good. This movie was so successful, that a remake of it was released in 2019 entitled The Hustle, starring Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson.
4 The Little Shop of Horrors
The Geffen Film Company
Inspired by the 1982 play of the same name, The Little Shop of Horrors is a comedic horror musical film starring Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Vincent Gardenia, Steve Martin and Levi Stubbs. Directed by Frank Oz as well, the movie follows nerdy Seymour (Moranis) a florist shop employee who is in love with his co-worker Audrey (Greene). However, their relationship doesn’t seem possible, as Audrey is dating Orin (Martin), a sadistic, abusive, and violent dentist. Following the imminent closure of the flower shop due to low sales, Seymour purchases a rare plant and displays it in the shop window, which quickly turns the place into a town attraction. However, nobody knows that this plant is, in fact, an abominable creature that feeds on human blood. This movie and its soundtrack earned a number of award nominations, including two Academy Award nominations for Best Original Song and Best Visual Effects.
3 Parenthood
Universal Pictures
While Martin has performed a wide range of characters throughout his career, some of his most successful roles have been as a family man in a number of films. One of them is Parenthood, the family comedy drama in which he starred alongside Tom Hulce, Rick Moranis, Martha Plimpton, Keanu Reeves, Jason Robards, Mary Steenburgen, and Dianne Wiest. This 1989 film follows the life of Gil Buckman (Martin), a family man who, confronted with some of his children’s behavioral problems, starts to question his work as a father and his addiction to work. Things get worse when he discovers that his wife is pregnant on the very same day he decides to quit his job. At the same time, Parenthood delves into Gil’s relationship with his father and siblings, illustrating some of the situations that tend to happen in every family.
2 L.A Story
Carolco Pictures
L.A. Story is a satirical rom-com written by and starring Martin. In it, the actor plays Harris Telemacher, a man going through a midlife crisis from which he questions the comfort of a lifestyle that does not make him happy. Telemacher is a rather peculiar weatherman whose job allows him to have a luxurious lifestyle in Los Angeles. Harris has a relationship with Trudi (Marilu Henner) that doesn’t make him entirely happy, and eventually discovers a romantic interest in Sara (Victoria Tennant), a journalist in London. However, following some cryptic messages from a traffic sign on the road, this weatherman will reconsider his lifestyle and look for a more fulfilling way of living that will actually make him happy.
1 Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Great Oaks Productions
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is a 1987 comedy movie written, produced, and directed by John Hughes, which earned him critical acclaim for its departure from his usual teen movies. In this film, Martin and John Candy star as Neal Page and Del Griffith, a marketing executive and a curtain salesman who are quite different from one another. When Griffith makes Page miss his flight back to Chicago for stealing his cab, they both must embark on a three-day odyssey by air and land in order to get home in time for Thanksgiving Day. On this journey they will not only go on the craziest adventures, but they will also learn many lessons from each other. As the chemistry between the lead actors went beyond the screen, the movie became a success with critics and audiences alike.
