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.
After working alongside one another for years, four Asian American circus artists—Angela Chu, Christine Lee, Nina Sawant, and Teri Wing—came together to form The Dahlias. With their innovative, elegant, and exquisitely costumed circus acts, they set out to create positive representation for Asian Americans in the circus arts. They leveraged their combined 40 years of […]
Mike Staver, CEO of The Staver Group, has earned a reputation as a bold, no-nonsense leadership coach who inspires change and growth in leaders across various industries. Often referred to as a “rebel with a cause,” Mike challenges leaders to confront their realities and face their fears head-on. He helps them take decisive action, enabling […]
As a seasoned emcee hailing from the vibrant city of San Diego, California, Angela Chee has etched her name in the annals of event management with her unparalleled expertise and captivating stage presence. With a career spanning over two decades, Angela Chee has mastered the art of transforming ordinary events into extraordinary experiences, leaving indelible […]
Dr. Eric Thomas, affectionately known as “ET, The Hip Hop Preacher,” stands as a beacon of inspiration in the world of motivational speaking. With a Ph.D. to his name, Dr. Thomas transcends traditional boundaries, seamlessly blending the roles of author, speaker, educator, pastor, and Audie Awards Finalist. His journey from adversity to triumph has captivated […]
Mark Antoine is a renowned event emcee and entertainer who has captivated audiences worldwide with his charismatic presence, quick wit, and impeccable timing. With over two decades of experience in the industry, Mark has mastered the art of engaging diverse audiences, from corporate executives to social gala attendees. His ability to seamlessly blend humor, charm, […]
Clint Pulver is an award-winning keynote speaker, author, and mentor, renowned for his dynamic and impactful presentations that inspire organizations to retain, engage, and lead their people more effectively. With a message that blends storytelling, humor, and real-world research, Clint is not only a motivational speaker but a workplace advocate, addressing critical issues in employee […]
Ryan Campbell is not your average pilot. At the age of 19, he made history by becoming the youngest person to fly solo around the world. But his story is far more than just a record-breaking feat. From surviving a plane crash to thriving as a best-selling author and motivational speaker, Ryan’s journey is one […]
You might recognize Derek Hughes as one of the recent finalists on America’s Got Talent but his experiences range far beyond that. Derek’s original comic voice and strong interactive magic make him one of the most requested acts working today. Derek performs regularly at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California where he was recently nominated […]
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