Steve Martin was born on August 14, 1945. The son of real estate agent Glenn Vernon Martin (1914-1997) and aspiring performer Mary Lee (née Stewart; 1913-2002) in Waco, Texas, USA. In California, his childhood was split between Inglewood and Garden Grove. In this article, we will talk about the best classic Steve Martin movies and TV shows.
Martin at 1960, landed a position at the Magic store in Disney’s Fantasyland, where he was exposed to the art of magic, juggling, and balloon sculpture. While at Santa Ana College, he studied English poetry and theater. He joined a comedy team at Knott’s Berry Farm and performed in comedies and other shows at the Bird Cage Theatre. Before transferring to UCLA in 1967, he studied philosophy at California State University.
Steve Martin is a famous actor and comedian who have won several honors and accolades, solidifying his reputation as one of the industry’s top performers. Having appeared in so many best classic movies and TV shows, this Hollywood legend deserves to be considered a true legend.
Although Martin has experimented in a number of other genres, he will always be remembered primarily for his impeccable comic timing. With a career spanning decades, no greater challenge exists than selecting the finest moments from an artist who remains at the top of his game to this day.
Martin is one of the most talented individuals of the last several decades, as shown by the fact that he has been nominated for two Tony Awards, five Golden Globe Awards, and six Grammy Awards (of which he has won five). In the middle of the 1970s, there wasn’t a stand-up comic working who was on a hotter streak than he was, and his first hosting role on “Saturday Night Live” led to many more appearances in the years that followed. In addition to that, he has been nominated for Emmys in 2018 for writing and producing Martin Short’s comedy special that was streamed on Netflix.
After that, he went straight into the film industry and hasn’t looked back since, starring in a string of box office hits like “The Jerk,” “Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid,” “All of Me,” “Roxanne,” “Three Amigos,” “L.A. Story,” “Parenthood,” and “Father of the Bride” throughout the course of the following several decades. His most recent accomplishment is “Only Murders in the Building,” a television show that he co-created and which has been quite successful.
All of the aforementioned movies are included in our picture gallery, which ranks the director’s top flicks from worst to best.
Best Classic Steve Martin Movies and TV Shows
L.A. Story (1991)
| Genre | Comedy, Romance |
| Release Date (Streaming) | 8-Feb-91 |
| Producer | Michael I. Rachmil, Daniel Melnick |
| Director | Mick Jackson |
| Writer | Steve Martin |
| Cast | Richard E. Grant, Steve Martin, Marilu Henner, Victoria Tennant, Sarah Jessica Parker, Susan Forristal |
Harris K. Telemacher, played by Steve Martin, has the simplest job in the world: he is a television weatherman in Los Angeles, where the climate is so stable that he can record his predictions many days in advance. Harris, who is bored with his job, his life, and his relationship with his longtime girlfriend Trudi (Marilu Henner), begins to receive secret messages from an electronic freeway sign near his home. These messages encourage him to pursue a romantic relationship with a British journalist (Victoria Tennant) and a shallow young model (Sarah Jessica Parker). Harris’s longtime girlfriend Trudi (Marilu Henner) is also bored with their relationship.
The film “L.A. Story” is based on a fictitious account of life in Los Angeles. Steve Martin plays the role of Harris, a TV weatherman who is bored with the mundane activities of everyday life in Los Angeles but finds him falling in love with Sara (Victoria Tennant), a British journalist. One of Martin the Satirist’s most iconic works is a movie that was inspired by a concept that provides him the opportunity to make fun of some of the absurdities that are associated with the culture of Los Angeles.
Parenthood (1989)
| Genre | Drama, Comedy |
| Release Date (Streaming) | 31-Jul-89 |
| Producer | Brian Grazer |
| Director | Ron Howard |
| Writer | Babaloo Mandel, Lowell Ganz |
| Cast | Dianne Wiest, Steve Martin, Mary Steenburgen, Jason Robards, Rick Moranis, Tom Hulce |
Gil Buckman, played by Steve Martin, is a perfectionist who suffers from the shortcomings of his children because he believes they are a bad reflection of the way he parented them. The stress in Gil’s life is further increased by the fact that he has siblings. One of his sisters, played by Dianne Wiest, is put in a tough situation when her daughter, Martha Plimpton, who is just a teenager, falls pregnant. When another character (Harley Jane Kozak) expresses interest in expanding her family, she and her husband (Rick Moranis) come to blows. Gil’s immature brother (Tom Hulce) also shows up, and he’s struggling to take care of his little baby.
The Spanish Prisoner (1998)
| Genre | Drama, Crime |
| Release Date (Streaming) | 6-Oct-98 |
| Producer | Jean Doumanian |
| Director | David Mamet |
| Writer | David Mamet |
| Cast | Rebecca Pidgeon, Steve Martin, Campbell Scott, Felicity Huffman, Ben Gazzara, Ricky Jay |
When Joe Ross (Campbell Scott), a rising star in the business world, meets the rich and enigmatic Jimmy Dell (Steve Martin) at a tropical resort, his life is turned upside down. In an effort to assist Ross safeguard his new business process innovation, Dell volunteers his services, but soon after, Ross is wrongly convicted of murder. To clear his name and escape the evil plot, Ross enlists the help of the FBI and his assistant, Susan Ricci (Rebecca Pidgeon).
All Of Me (1984)
| Genre | Comedy |
| Release Date (Streaming) | 21-Sep-84 |
| Producer | Stephen Friedman |
| Director | Carl Reiner |
| Writer | Phil Alden Robinson |
| Cast | Victoria Tennant, Steve Martin, Lily Tomlin, Richard Libertini, Madolyn Smith Osborne, Dana Elcar |
On her deathbed, the wealthy Edwina Cutwater (Lily Tomlin) instructs her attorney Roger Cobb (Steve Martin) to include a peculiar provision in her will, which states that the young Terry Hoskins (Victoria Tennant) would get her soul as her inheritance when she passes away. When Edwina is killed, the plan ends up being a failure. In the end, she takes over Roger’s body but is only able to exert control over the right half of it. Edwina and Roger are put in the position of having to collaborate in order to discover a solution that would allow Edwina’s soul to be transferred from Roger’s body and into the body she had always planned to inhabit.
The Prince Of Egypt (1998)
| Genre | Animation, Musical, Kids & family |
| Release Date (Streaming) | 18-Dec-98 |
| Producer | Sandra Rabins, Penney Finkelman Cox |
| Director | Brenda Chapman, Simon Wells, Steve Hickner |
| Writer | Philip LaZebnik |
| Cast | Steve Martin, Ralph Fiennes, Val Kilmer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock, Danny Glover, Jeff Goldblum |
This animated version of the Exodus story follows Egyptian Prince Moses (Val Kilmer) as he sets out to rescue his people from slavery after learning of his Jewish heritage. Egypt suffers a series of horrific plagues after his brother Rameses (Ralph Fiennes), now Pharaoh, rejected his plea. Moses was able to rescue the Israelite from slavery by dividing the Red Sea and causing the Egyptian army to drown in its waters. After that, God reveals to Moses the Ten Commandments, which are a set of guidelines for how his people should conduct themselves.
My Blue Heaven (1990)
| Genre | Comedy |
| Release Date (Streaming) | 17-Aug-90 |
| Producer | Anthea Sylbert |
| Director | Herbert Ross |
| Writer | Nora Ephron |
| Cast | Steve Martin, Melanie Mayron, Rick Moranis, Carol Kane, Bill Irwin, Joan Cusack |
Vinnie Antonelli, played by Steve Martin, leaves the mafia behind for the government’s witness protection program and settles down in a quiet California suburb. But for Vinnie, old traditions die strong. Before Vinnie can testify against his former gang members, the FBI agent, Barney Coopersmith, played by Rick Moranis, is tasked with ensuring that Vinnie maintains a low profile in preparation for Vinnie’s testimony. He becomes a difficulty for Barney. On the other hand, it’s possible that Barney may pick up some useful information from Vinnie. That is, assuming Barney is able to keep him alive for a sufficient amount of time.
Cheaper By The Dozen 2 (2005)
| Genre | Comedy |
| Release Date (Streaming) | 21-Dec-05 |
| Producer | Shawn Levy, Ben Myron |
| Director | Adam Shankman |
| Writer | Sam Harper |
| Cast | Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, Piper Perabo, Carmen Electra, Tom Welling, Eugene Levy |
Tom Baker (Steve Martin) and his wife, Kate (Bonnie Hunt), want to make the most of the summer by taking their children to a lakeside resort in the hopes that it would allow them to unwind. Tom, who is stupid but well-meaning, makes an effort to repair it himself after the Bakers are handed the worst unit available. He does not achieve his goals. To make things even worse, Tom’s long-time adversary, Jimmy Murtaugh (played by Eugene Levy), and his equally massive family show up on the scene and engage the Bakers in a not-so-friendly rivalry that threatens to ruin their vacation.
The Jerk (1979)
Steve Martin’s debut film, The Jerk, is a comedy classic that cemented his status as a leading funnyman. Martin stars as Navin R. Johnson, a naive and endearing man who goes on a series of hilarious misadventures. The film’s absurd humor and Martin’s physical comedy have made it a staple in comedy cinema.
| Genre | Comedy |
| Release Date | December 14, 1979 (Theatrical) |
| Producer | Michael Phillips, Carl Gottlieb |
| Director | Carl Reiner |
| Writer | Steve Martin, Carl Gottlieb |
| Cast | Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters, Catlin Adams, M. Emmet Walsh |
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
In this Thanksgiving favorite, Martin plays Neal Page, a frustrated businessman trying to get home for the holiday. His on-screen chemistry with John Candy, along with the film’s perfect blend of comedy and emotion, has made it a standout in Martin’s filmography. The movie remains a heartwarming and comedic classic.
| Genre | Comedy, Drama |
| Release Date | November 25, 1987 (Theatrical) |
| Producer | Hilton Green, John Hughes |
| Director | John Hughes |
| Writer | John Hughes |
| Cast | Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins, Kevin Bacon |
Father of the Bride (1991)
Martin stars as George Banks, a father overwhelmed by the chaos of his daughter’s wedding. The film’s humor and Martin’s heartfelt portrayal of a father’s emotional journey have made it a beloved family comedy. The sequel, Father of the Bride Part II (1995), continues the story with more laughs and family moments.
| Genre | Comedy, Romance |
| Release Date | December 20, 1991 (Theatrical) |
| Producer | Brian Grazer, Gary L. Goldman |
| Director | Charles Shyer |
| Writer | Nancy Meyers, Elizabeth Chandler |
| Cast | Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Martin Short |
Roxanne (1987)
In this modern adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac, Martin plays C.D. Bales, a fire chief with a large nose who helps his friend win the affection of the woman he loves. The film blends Martin’s comedic genius with a touching romance, showcasing his ability to mix humor with heartfelt storytelling.
| Genre | Comedy, Romance |
| Release Date | June 12, 1987 (Theatrical) |
| Producer | Gary Katz, Jim Jordan, Steve Martin |
| Director | Fred Schepisi |
| Writer | Steve Martin, Nancy Meyers |
| Cast | Steve Martin, Daryl Hannah, Rick Rossovich, Shelley Duvall |
Bowfinger (1999)
Martin stars as Kit Ramsey, a self-absorbed movie star, in this Hollywood satire. His portrayal of the egotistical and paranoid Ramsey offers a hilarious take on the entertainment industry’s excesses. The film is notable for Martin’s sharp comedic timing and its satirical edge.
| Genre | Comedy, Satire |
| Release Date | August 27, 1999 (Theatrical) |
| Producer | Brian Grazer, David A. Stern, Keith Addis |
| Director | Frank Oz |
| Writer | Steve Martin, Nick Castle |
| Cast | Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Heather Graham, Christine Baranski |
The Pink Panther (2006)
Martin takes on the role of Inspector Jacques Clouseau in this reboot of the classic comedy series. His portrayal of the bumbling detective, with its blend of physical comedy and absurdity, offers a fresh and entertaining take on the iconic character.
| Genre | Comedy, Mystery |
| Release Date | December 21, 2006 (Theatrical) |
| Producer | Robert Simonds, Jason Franks |
| Director | Shawn Levy |
| Writer | Michael Saltzman, Lowell Ganz, Babaloo Mandel |
| Cast | Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Emily Mortimer, André Bourvil |
A huge list of the Best Classic Steve Martin movies and TV shows is given below:
Best Classic Movies And TV Shows
| Name | Year |
|---|---|
| Only Murders in the Building (TV Series) | 2021–2022 |
| Schmigadoon! (TV Series) | 2021–2023 |
| Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration (TV Special) | 2022 |
| Mack & Rita | 2022 |
| The Morning Show (TV Series) | 2019–2021 |
| Back Home Again | 2021 |
| Saturday Night Live (TV Series) | 1984–2021 |
| Good People (TV Movie) | 2020 |
| Father of the Bride Part 3 (ish) | 2020 |
| The Pack Podcast | 2020 |
| The Willoughbys | 2020 |
| The Addams Family | 2019 |
| Big Mouth (TV Series) | 2019 |
| Elliot the Littlest Reindeer | 2018 |
| The Magic School Bus Rides Again (TV Series) | 2018 |
| The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! (TV Series) | 2010–2018 |
| The Last Man on Earth (TV Series) | 2018 |
| The Simpsons (TV Series) | 2017 |
| BoJack Horseman (TV Series) | 2017 |
| Jimmy Kimmel Live! (TV Series) | 2017 |
| The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Space! | 2017 |
| Hairspray Live! (TV Movie) | 2016 |
| The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Halloween! (TV Movie) | 2016 |
| Modern Family (TV Series) | 2016 |
| Maya & Marty (TV Series) | 2016 |
| The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Camping! (TV Movie) | 2016 |
| Difficult People (TV Series) | 2015 |
| Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (TV Series) | 2015 |
| Mulaney (TV Series) | 2014–2015 |
| Inherent Vice | 2014 |
| Working the Engels (TV Series) | 2014 |
| The Wind Rises | 2013 |
| Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return | 2013 |
| Old Navy: Sweaters for the Family | 2012 |
| Old Navy: Women's Softest Sweaters | 2012 |
| Old Navy: Pop Pants | 2012 |
| The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas! (TV Movie) | 2012 |
| Frankenweenie | 2012 |
| Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted | 2012 |
| I, Martin Short, Goes Home (TV Movie) | 2012 |
| How I Met Your Mother (TV Series) | 2011–2012 |
| BuzzKill | 2012 |
| Weeds (TV Series) | 2011 |
| Hoodwinked 2: Hood vs. Evil | 2011 |
| Tax Man | 2010 |
| Damages (TV Series) | 2010 |
| The Spiderwick Chronicles | 2008 |
| The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause | 2006 |
| The Blue Elephant | 2006 |
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series) | 2005 |
| Arrested Development (TV Series) | 2005 |
| Barbie as The Princess and the Pauper | 2004 |
| Jiminy Glick in Lalawood | 2004 |
| Treasure Planet Read-Along DVD | 2003 |
| Primetime Glick (TV Series) | 2001–2003 |
| CinéMagique | 2002 |
| Treasure Planet | 2002 |
| 101 Dalmatians 2: Patch's London Adventure | 2002 |
| Curb Your Enthusiasm (TV Series) | 2002 |
| Prince Charming (TV Movie) | 2001 |
| Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius | 2001 |
| Get Over It | 2001 |
| Mumford | 1999 |
| Wonderland (TV Movie) | 1999 |
| Akbar's Adventure Tours | 1998 |
| The Prince of Egypt | 1998 |
| Merlin (TV Mini Series) | 1998 |
| A Simple Wish | 1997 |
| The Three Stooges Greatest Hits (TV Movie) | 1997 |
| Jungle 2 Jungle | 1997 |
| Creature Crunch | 1996 |
| Mars Attacks! | 1996 |
| Father of the Bride Part II | 1995 |
| The Pebble and the Penguin | 1995 |
| The Martin Short Show (TV Series) | 1994 |
| Clifford | 1994 |
| We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story | 1993 |
| Screen One (TV Series) | 1993 |
| A Spinal Tap Reunion: The 25th Anniversary London Sell-Out (TV Movie) | 1992 |
| Captain Ron | 1992 |
| Father of the Bride | 1991 |
| Maniac Mansion (TV Series) | 1991 |
| Pure Luck | 1991 |
| The Earth Day Special (TV Special) | 1990 |
| The Tracey Ullman Show (TV Series) | 1989–1990 |
| I, Martin Short, Goes Hollywood (TV Movie) | 1989 |
| The Big Picture | 1989 |
| Three Fugitives | 1989 |
| The Completely Mental Misadventures of Ed Grimley (TV Series) | 1988 |
| Cross My Heart | 1987 |
| Innerspace | 1987 |
| Really Weird Tales (TV Movie) | 1987 |
| Three Amigos! | 1986 |
| Tall Tales & Legends (TV Series) | 1986 |
| Dave Thomas: The Incredible Time Travels of Henry Osgood (TV Movie) | 1986 |
| SCTV Channel (TV Series) | 1983–1984 |
| Sunset Limousine (TV Movie) | 1983 |
| SCTV Network (TV Series) | 1982–1983 |
| Miss Peach of the Kelly School (TV Series) | 1982 |
| Taxi (TV Series) | 1981 |
| I'm a Big Girl Now (TV Series) | 1980–1981 |
| SCTV (TV Series) | 1981 |
| The Associates (TV Series) | 1979–1980 |
| The Love Boat (TV Series) | 1980 |
| The Family Man (TV Movie) | 1979 |
| Lost and Found | |
| For the Record (TV Series) | |
| Fit to Print (TV Movie) | 1977 |
| The David Steinberg Show (TV Series) | 1976–1977 |
