After Steve Martin graduated college, he took drama and English poetry classes at Santa Ana Junior College. In his free time he and friend Kathy Westmoreland would participate in comedies at the Bird Cage Theatre.
He then eventually transferred to California State University, Long Beach and majored in philosophy and realized that it changed what he believed and what he thought about everything.
He occasionally did stand up acts in local arenas and in 1967 transferred to UCLA and quickly changed his major to theater. While at UCLA, he appeared in an episode of The Dating Game and worked at local clubs at night, at 21 he dropped out of college.
Thanks to friend and dancer on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, Nina Goldblatt helped Steve land a writing job with the show after he submitted his work to head writer Mason Williams.
In 1969, Steve Martin and the other writers won an Emmy Award for their writing. His first TV appearance was in 1969 on The Steve Allen Show and opened for groups including The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Carpenters and Toto. He earned an Emmy nomination for his work on Van Dyke and Company and made frequent appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Gong Show, On Location and SNL.
Although his long term goal was to get into film, he had a huge following for his stand up comedy. In 1977 he wrote and starred in his first film, The Absent-Minded Waiter. Even though it was only seven minutes long, he was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Short Film, Live Action.
Steve’s first feature film appearance was in Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band; and he sang The Beatles, “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” in the movie. His most recent films that he has had roles in include, Joe Gould’s Secret, Novocaine, Smothered: The Censorship Struggles of the Smothers Brother Comedy Hour, Brining Down the House, Looney Tunes: Back in Action, Cheaper by the Dozen, Jiminy Glick in Lalawood, The Merchant of Venice, Shopgirl, Cheaper by the Dozen 2, Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years, The Pink Panther, Baby Mama, Traitor, The Pink Panther 2, It’s Complicated, The Big Year, and voiced a role in the animated film Home. Steve Martin has hosted the Academy Awards in 2001, 2003, and 2010.
At the age of 17, he learned how to play the banjo and became in love with bluegrass. Throughout his career, he frequently poked fun of his quirky love of his banjo but eventually began performing with a band and made his first appearance on The Grand Ole Opry on May 30, 2009 and in the American Idol Season 8 finals.
He began a 2 month tour with the Steep Canyon Rangers on A Prairie Home Campanion and traveled all over the States. On July 4, 2011, Steve Martin preformed his own song called “Me and Paul Revere” on the lawn of The Capitol Building in D.C. Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers were named ‘Entertainers of the Year’ at the 2011 National Bluegrass Music Association Awards. Steve Martin is available for speaking engagements, public events, and personal appearances.
BOOKS: An Object of Beauty: A Novel, Late for School, Kindly lent their owner: The private collection of Steve Martin, Cruel Shoes, The Underpants, Pure Drivel, The Alphabet from A to Y With Bonus Letter Z!, The Crow: Book of Tablature: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo, Picasso at the Lapin Agile and Other Plays, The Pleasure of My Company: A Novella, Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life
View All Speakers and follow us on Twitter
In order to view the below you must be logged in.
W Mitchell once guided passengers up the famous hills of San Francisco, as a strong and entertaining cable-car gripman. Amazingly, the same scenario holds true today! As an award-winning keynote speaker, he now guides audiences uphill and empowers them to take responsibility for life’s inevitable challenges and to embrace the power of taking charge. As […]
Felicia Pizzonia is a dynamic entrepreneur, best-selling author, and sought-after speaker renowned for her expertise in mind conditioning and sales training. As a partner at Ultimate Publishing House (UPH), she has dedicated over two decades to helping individuals harness the power of publishing to enhance their personal branding and professional credibility. With a passion for […]
Afua Hirsch is a prominent figure in journalism and broadcasting, known for her insightful reporting and engaging presentations. Currently serving as a journalist and presenter at Sky News, Afua is a familiar face on programs such as Sky News World News and Sunrise. As the Social Affairs Editor, she delves into a diverse array of […]
Seth Mattison is a renowned business strategist and keynote speaker who has dedicated nearly two decades to studying business performance, transformation, and leadership within some of the world’s most renowned brands. With a profound understanding of the evolving landscape of work, Seth is on a mission to shape the future of work, making it more […]
Mark Mayfield is a nationally recognized comedian, award-winning speaker, and dynamic event host known for his unique ability to combine humor with valuable insights. Dubbed “The Corporate Comedian,” Mark delivers clean, professional humor tailored to the business world, captivating audiences across industries. Whether hosting a corporate event, delivering an inspiring keynote, or entertaining with stand-up […]
Gregory Robinson is a distinguished leader in aerospace and science, celebrated for his pivotal role as the former director of the $10 billion James Webb Space Telescope (Webb). With an illustrious 33-year career at NASA, he has been instrumental in shaping some of the most groundbreaking space exploration projects of our time. His expertise in […]
As the former Head of Innovation and Creativity at The Walt Disney Company, Duncan Wardle is a globally recognized expert in creative leadership and innovation. His extensive experience at one of the world’s most iconic brands has earned him a reputation as a thought leader in fostering a culture of innovation, design thinking, and disruptive […]
Pamela Barnum, a seasoned professional who has honed her skills in building trust and interpreting body language through real-world experiences that few can imagine. With a career steeped in danger, intrigue, and the art of deception detection, Pamela brings a unique perspective to the realm of keynote speaking. As an undercover operative in the Drug […]
No results available
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2025. Designed using Voxel