Steve Martin
Steve Martin
Stephen Glenn "Steve" Martinis an American actor, comedian, writer, producer and musician. Martin came to public notice in the 1960s as a writer for the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, and later as a frequent guest on The Tonight Show. In the 1970s, Martin performed his offbeat, absurdist comedy routines before packed houses on national tours. Since the 1980s, having branched away from stand-up comedy, Martin has become a successful actor, as well as an author, playwright, pianist and banjo player,...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionComedian
Date of Birth14 August 1945
CountryUnited States of America
I've always believed that there are funny people everywhere, but they're just not comedians. In fact, some of my best comedic inspirations were not professional entertainers.
I didn't come from a wealthy family. I had no money. Maybe it goes back to naivete which is your greatest asset when you're young. If I was starting in comedy today and if it didn't work the first time, I'd probably quit. But I kept at it, kept at it.
I'm always looking for something to engage my imagination and take me on a little mental voyage. I just want a new topic in my life.
I was always very shy but as I get older I think, What am I being shy for? You just grow weary of your own hang-ups.
A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.
I believe in equality. Equality for everybody. No matter how stupid they are or how superior I am to them.
Always make room for the unexpected in yourself.
A joke that works is complete knowledge in a nanosecond....
Your only guidepost is your own instinct and judicious editing. In my stand-up act I learned that in the first 10 minutes I could say anything and it would get a laugh. Then I'd better deliver. In the movie it's the same thing. You get a lot of laughs when people first sit down and then the story better kick in. Many years in front of an audience, I would hope, give me a sense of what works.
Writer's block is a fancy term made up by whiners so they can have an excuse to drink alcohol.
The greatest thing you can do is surprise yourself.
Any type of humor can be transferred to the screen, as long as there's clarity. The audience wants to know just what they're supposed to be feeling, when they're supposed to laugh.
I like a woman with a head on her shoulders. I hate necks.
With comedy, you have no place to go but more comedy, so you're never off the hook.