The best Steve Martin movies and TV shows feature some of the most iconic comedies of the 1980s and 1990s, and he remains an in-demand star on television in his later years. Martin started as a standup comedian in the late 1960s and started work onThe Smothers Brothers Comedy Houras a dancer and writer. Martin then began appearing on talk shows and variety shows with his standup act and broke out when he showed up onSaturday Night Live.
After releasing some comedy albums, he began to make his name in movies. Steve Martin worked with several big names, including Carl Reiner onThe Jerkand the cast ofSaturday Night LiveonThree Amigos.These releases turned Martin into a leading man for comedies, which stretched through the 1990s, where he starred in everything from slapstick comedies to family comedies. He is now getting a second life in the 2020s thanks tohis television return onOnly Murders in the Building.
Three Amigos!
Cast
Three Amigos! (1986) is a comedy film directed by John Landis and starring Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short. It revolves around three silent film actors who are mistaken for real-life heroes by a small Mexican village plagued by bandits. As they attempt to live up to their fictional personas, they embark on a series of humorous misadventures.
In 1986,Saturday Night Liveproducer Lorne Michaels co-wrote the spoof movieThree Amigos, which broughtSteve Martin together withSNLstar Chevy Chase and Martin Short to take on the comedy Western. The three play silent movie stars who are mistaken for real heroes by people in a small Mexican village terrorized by bandits. They ask them to help rid their village of the bandits and the three hapless actors end up in a fight for their lives.
10 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Making Of ¡Three Amigos!
John Landis' Three Amigos was an ’80s hit, but based on the production history, the film could have turned out completely different.
The movie is full of great one-liners and visual slapstick humor, with all three comic actors at the top of their game. While there are some moments that don’t hold up as well today, itremains one of Martin’s most offbeat and silly comedies. Critics at the time were not as enamored, giving it a 45% rating on Rotten Tomatoes but the audience score is a higher 67% fresh.Three Amigoshas since become a cult favorite.
Cheaper By the Dozen
The Disney+ original movie Cheaper By the Dozen is a family-comedy movie, acting as a reboot of the 2003 hit family comedy starring Gabrielle Union and Zach Braff; the film explores the raucous exploits of the Bakers' blended family of twelve as they navigate a hectic home life while simultaneously trying to manage their family business.
In 2003, Steve Martin signed on to lead the ensemble comedyCheaper by the Dozen, which was directed by Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine). In the film, Martin plays Tom Baker,a college football coach who is also the father of 12 children.When he gets a chance to coach at his alma mater, he forces his family to move, despite most of them not wanting to, and creates friction at home.
However, when his wife gets a book deal and leaves for a book tour, he realizes he is not equipped to handle his large family, and the comedy comes from Martin’s Baker getting in way over his head. The film received poor reviews, but it was a box office success, making over $190 million (viaBox Office Mojo) and garnering a sequel. The cast was impressive, as well, withPiper Perabo, Tom Welling, and Hilary Duff playing three of the older kids.
Shopgirl
Shopgirl is a romantic drama directed by Anand Tucker, based on Steve Martin’s novella. The film stars Claire Danes as Mirabelle, a lonely Vermont transplant who works in a posh Beverly Hills boutique, and Steve Martin as Ray Porter, a wealthy older man. Their complicated relationship explores themes of love, loneliness, and the search for connection in a dispassionate world. Jason Schwartzman co-stars as Jeremy, a young and awkward suitor.
In 2005, Steve Martin starred in the indie romantic comedy-drama movieShopgirl.Based on the novellaMirabelleby Martin,the story involves a love triangle between a saleswoman named Mirabelle (Claire Danes), a wealthy businessman named Ray (Martin), and an aimless young man named Jeremy (Jason Schwartzman). The film is an interesting look at the difficulties surrounding people from different parts of life trying to find love.
It also received attention at that year’s Saturn Awards, where Martin, Danes, and Schwartzman all received nominations
Critics were lukewarm to the film, awarding it only a 61% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, although both Martin and Danes received praise for their performances. It was also only a small box office success, mostly remaining a smaller low-budget release. It also received attention at that year’s Saturn Awards, where Martin, Danes, and Schwartzman all received nominations (Martin for the screenplay, the other two for acting), as well as a nomination for Best Picture.
The Little Shop Of Horrors
The Little Shop Of Horrors is a dark comedy musical film directed by Frank Oz. Released in 1986, the film stars Rick Moranis as Seymour Krelborn, a florist who discovers a mysterious plant that thrives on human blood. As Seymour grapples with the plant’s growing demands, his affection for his coworker Audrey and the sinister nature of the plant create a gripping narrative. Ellen Greene and Steve Martin also star.
Frank Oz (Yodafrom theStar Warsmovies) directed the horror comedy musicalLittle Shop of Horrors,based on the off-Broadway musical of the same name. Rick Moranis was the main star of the film, playing Seymour Krelborn, a man who works for a flower shop in a rundown neighborhood. When the owner threatens to close the shop, Seymour brings his own personal plant to show off to bring in customers.
It is rare to see Martin playing a true villain, but that was the case here, and he was fantastic in the role.
However, this plant (named Audrey II) needs human blood to thrive, creating the horror story when Audrey II begins to demand more blood, and the deaths begin.Steve Martin stars as Orin Scrivello, a violent dentist who is also the ex-boyfriend of Seymour’s love interest, Audrey. It is rare to see Martin playing a true villain, but that was the case here, and he was fantastic in the role. Critics loved the movie, giving it a 91% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and it even earned two Oscar nominations.
The story of the Buckman family and friends, attempting to bring up their children. They suffer/enjoy all the events that occur: estranged relatives, the ‘black sheep’ of the family, the eccentrics, the skeletons in the closet, and the rebellious teenagers.
Ron Howard directed Steve Martin in the1989 family comedy-dramaParenthood. The film was based largely on the parenting experiences of Howard, screenwriters Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel, and producer Brian Grazer. Martin stars as Gil Buckman, a sales executive who learns that his three kids have emotional and psychological issues and need counseling. As a result, he begins to question his self-worth as a parent.This struggle becomes even more distressing when his wife ends up pregnant again.
The movie was a huge success, both critically and at the box office. The critical score was a very high 92% fresh, with much of the praise going to the Steve Martin-led cast and critics calling it a funny look at family. It was a major success at the box office and earned two Oscar nominations, including one for Dianne Wiest. Steve Martin also earned a Golden Globe nomination for her performance.Parenthoodended up revived as a television series, first in 1990 and then in 2010, with the latter running for six seasons.
Father of the Bride
Father of the Bride is a family comedy directed by Charles Shyer, featuring Steve Martin as George Banks, a father coming to terms with his daughter’s impending wedding. The film examines the emotional and humorous aspects of family dynamics and explores the challenges of letting go. Diane Keaton stars as George’s supportive wife, alongside Kimberly Williams-Paisley as their daughter, Annie.
In 1991, Steve Martin plays a dad who isn’t sure how to react when his daughter announces she is getting married. Martin stars as George Banks, while Kimberly Williams stars as his daughter Annie.George narrates the film as a father who is not willing to accept that anyone is good enough to marry his daughter, and he fights it every step of the way until he finally gives in to accept his daughter’s happiness in the end.
9 Differences Between 1991’s And 2022’s Father Of The Bride
The newest remake of Father of the Bride adds emotional depth and higher stakes to the timeless story without compromising rollicking good fun.
The movie was a success at the box office while critics praised the humor and cast, awarding it a 70% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie, which itself was a remake of a 1950 classic starring Spencer Tracy, also received a sequel in 1995 where Annie is now pregnant, and George is freaking out because he is about to be a grandfather. Steve Martin returned for the sequel.
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Directed by John Hughes, Planes, Trains and Automobiles stars Steve Martin as Neal Page, a busy advertising executive who finds himself the unwilling traveling companion of salesman Del Griffith as the two attempt to return to Chicago for the Thanksgiving holiday. Beset by bad weather and a continuing comedy of errors in attempting to make travel plans, Neal and Del must work together, however unwillingly, to accomplish their shared goal. John Candy also stars alongside Martin as Del.
Planes, Trains and Automobileswas a John Hughes movie from 1987 that saw Steve Martin and John Candy team up for a buddy comedy film. In the story, Martin plays Neal, an uptight marketing executive on a business trip who has toget home in time for Thanksgiving Day dinner with his family.However, when his flight is diverted, he agrees to drive back with a man he just met at the airport, Candy’s Del.
The entire film is a mismatched buddy comedy with Martin playing the straight man to Candy’s over-the-top funnyman. However, it is also a film that offers a lot of heart, as while Del was driving Neal crazy, John Candy was able to deliver such a heartfelt performance that it made it hard to dislike him at any moment in the movie. This Martin release has a high 92% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes andPlanes, Trains and Automobilesremains a beloved holiday classic.
Roxanne
Roxanne, directed by Fred Schepisi, is a romantic comedy starring Steve Martin as C.D. Bales, a witty fire chief with an unusually large nose, and Daryl Hannah as Roxanne, a beautiful astronomer. The film is a modern retelling of Edmond Rostand’s play Cyrano de Bergerac, focusing on themes of love, self-acceptance, and inner beauty while delivering a mix of humor and heartfelt moments.
Roxanneis a Steve Martin romantic comedy based on the 1897 Edmond Rostand playCyrano de Bergerac. Martin is C.D. Bales, a fire chief in a small town who is popular with the local residents. However, he is also self-conscious and sensitive about his very large nose, and the townspeople know not to say anything about it to not hurt his feelings.Bales then develops a romantic attraction to a young woman who arrives in town named Rosanne(Daryl Hannah).
Martin received a Golden Globes nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy/Musical
Critics praised the film and Martin’s performance as C.D., awardingRoxannean 88% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes. In fact, Martin received a Golden Globes nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy/Musical. Martin also picked up a Writer’s Guild of America award for writing the screenplay, cementing how impressive the overall project was.
Only Murders in the Building
Only Murders in the Building is a mystery-comedy series following three strangers, portrayed by Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, who bond over their shared obsession with true crime. Set in a Manhattan apartment building, the trio becomes embroiled in a real murder mystery within their residence.
Steve Martin saw his acting career get a second life when he signed on for the television seriesOnly Murders in the Buildingfor Hulu. He teamed up here with Martin Short, who he had previously worked with onThree Amigos,Father of the Bride, and other films, and what resulted was a massive success. With Selena Gomez as the third lead,the three play true crime aficionados who end up trying to solve a murderthat takes place in their own apartment building.
Only Murders In The Building Season 5: Cast, Story Everything We Know
Hulu’s quirky murder mystery comedy series Only Murders in the Building returned for its fourth season in 2024, and season 5 is on the way.
The series remains one of Hulu’s most successful streaming shows, with four seasons and a fifth one coming. Each season sees a new murder mystery that the three have to solve and features an amazing list of co-stars, including Paul Rudd, Meryl Streep, Zach Galifianakis, Eugene Levy, Eva Longoria, and many more. The show has earned 49 Emmy nominations, with Martin receiving nominations for his writing and acting.
The movie that made Steve Martin a star arrived in 1979 withThe Jerk. Directed by Carl Reiner, Martin plays Navin Johnson, a homeless man who tells the viewers his life story.He was a child adopted by Black sharecroppers in Mississippiand grew up in that atmosphere while having no knowledge of the outside world. When he sets out to find his way in the real world, his nativity causes him all kinds of problems along the way.
The entire film is a slapstick comedy, with Navin going from one ridiculous event to another, while mostly angering and alienating everyone that he meets thanks to his often-unintended bad behavior. However, he soon finds great success thanks to something he invented, but a class action lawsuit leaves him broke and homeless.The Jerkwas a massive successcommercially and critically, sitting at 82% on Rotten Tomatoes. It is problematic in areas in today’s society but remains a comedy classic and Martin’s best overall performance in a movie.
