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
No reviews available for this post.
Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.
Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.
Ready to find the perfect speaker for your event? Use our advanced search feature or contact us to get started today!

Hailed as the “female Jerry Maguire” by CNN, Molly Fletcher made a name for herself as one of the first female sports agents. During her almost two-decade career as President of CSE, Molly negotiated over $500 million in contracts and represented over 300 of sports’ biggest names, including Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz, PGA […]

Piers Kowalski stands as a beacon of advocacy, leadership, and inspiration in the realm of LGBTQ rights and inclusive corporate environments. With a fervent dedication to fostering positive change and championing diversity, Piers has carved a remarkable path as a professional speaker, consultant, and advocate. His journey is one characterized by a relentless pursuit of […]

Maja Kazazic is an internationally acclaimed keynote speaker, renowned for her resilience and transformational journey from being a survivor of the Bosnian genocide to a powerful advocate for the disabled community. Her experiences of overcoming unimaginable hardships, including losing her leg in a bombing at age 16, have given her insights into the power of […]

Amy McWhirter is a high-energy, charismatic event emcee known for her exceptional ability to connect with audiences and bring events to life. Whether hosting live, virtual, or hybrid events, Amy’s warmth, professionalism, and impeccable preparation make her a standout choice for corporate conferences, product launches, awards shows, and more. Amy McWhirter is not just an […]

Kien Vuu, MD, popularly known as Doctor V is an assistant professor of Health Sciences at UCLA, speaker, media expert, founder of VuuMD Performance and Longevity, and best-selling author of Thrive State: Your Blueprint for Optimal Health, Longevity, and Peak Performance. Dr. V has been practicing medicine for over 14 years and combines his knowledge […]

Jessica Aguirre is the 5, 6 and 11 p.m. evening anchor at NBC Bay Area News and an Emmy award winning journalist. Jessica has been a primetime, evening anchor, in the Bay Area for over 20 years. In addition to anchoring the evening news, Jessica is the co-host of NBC Bay Area’s Race in America: The […]

PartyLikeaMotha has been DJ’n for over 10 years, formally known as ‘Wendi Cakes’ but now I go by the name PartyLikeaMotha. She has gone on tour with POP group sensation, Far East Movement better known for their hit single “Fly like a G6”. She was also a resident DJ for TAO group for many years […]

Scott Greenberg is a dynamic and established motivational business speaker hailing from Los Angeles, California. With a passion for transforming ordinary teams into high-performance powerhouses, Scott’s journey is a testament to the power of leadership and resilience. His unique approach, honed through years of hands-on experience, has made him a sought-after figure in the world […]
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.
Connecting you with the perfect speaker.
We connect you with world-class speakers to create impactful, memorable events.
Tell us about your event and we’ll match you with the right speaker.
© All rights reserved 2026. Designed using Voxel