History of Steve Martin in Timeline

Stephen Glenn Martin is a highly acclaimed American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and musician. He's celebrated for his contributions to comedy films, television, and music, earning numerous awards, including five Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He has also received nominations for Golden Globe and Tony Awards. His contributions to comedy and the arts have been recognized with prestigious honors such as the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, Kennedy Center Honors, an Honorary Academy Award, and an AFI Life Achievement Award. Comedy Central ranked him among the greatest stand-up comics of all time.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1915: Creation of Landschaft mit Pferden

In 1915, Heinrich Campendonk purportedly painted "Landschaft mit Pferden", which was later purchased and sold by Steve Martin before being discovered as a forgery.

1968: First art purchase

In 1968, Steve Martin began his art collecting journey when he purchased a print by Ed Ruscha.

1977: Relationship with Bernadette Peters begins

In 1977, Steve Martin began a relationship with Bernadette Peters, with whom he co-starred in The Jerk and Pennies from Heaven.

1978: Release of "King Tut"

In 1978, Steve Martin's novelty hit song "King Tut" was originally released.

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1980: Relationship with Bernadette Peters ends

In 1980, Steve Martin's relationship with Bernadette Peters ended.

1984: Appointment to LACMA board of trustees

In 1984, Steve Martin was appointed to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) board of trustees.

November 20, 1986: Marriage to Victoria Tennant

On November 20, 1986, Steve Martin married actress Victoria Tennant.

1986: Tinnitus attributed to film shooting

In 1986, Steve Martin initially attributed his tinnitus to filming a pistol shooting scene for "Three Amigos", though he later clarified it was from years of loud music exposure.

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1990: USO Tour to Saudi Arabia

In 1990, Steve Martin went on a USO Tour to Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm, meeting with military service members.

1994: Divorce from Victoria Tennant

In 1994, Steve Martin divorced actress Victoria Tennant.

2001: Bellagio Gallery exhibit

In 2001, the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art presented a five-month exhibit of twenty-eight items from Steve Martin's art collection.

July 2004: Purchase of a Campendonk painting

In July 2004, Steve Martin purchased what he believed to be Landschaft mit Pferden (Landscape with Horses), a 1915 work by Heinrich Campendonk.

2004: Departure from LACMA board of trustees

In 2004, Steve Martin left the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) board of trustees, after serving since 1984.

2006: Sale of "Hotel Window"

In 2006, Steve Martin sold Edward Hopper's "Hotel Window (1955)" at Sotheby's for $26.8 million.

July 28, 2007: Marriage to Anne Stringfield

On July 28, 2007, Steve Martin married writer Anne Stringfield at his Los Angeles home.

June 2009: Appearance on A Prairie Home Companion

In June 2009, Steve Martin played banjo along with the Steep Canyon Rangers on A Prairie Home Companion.

2010: Performances with the Steep Canyon Rangers

In 2010, Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers performed at the New Orleans Jazzfest, Merlefest Bluegrass Festival, Bonnaroo Music Festival, ROMP Bluegrass Festival, Red Butte Garden Concert series, and on BBC's Later... with Jools Holland.

2010: Creation of the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass

In 2010, Steve Martin created the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass to reward artistry and increase visibility for bluegrass performers.

March 21, 2011: Performance on The Colbert Report

On March 21, 2011, Steve Martin performed "Jubilation Day" with the Steep Canyon Rangers on The Colbert Report.

May 3, 2011: Performance on Conan

On May 3, 2011, Steve Martin performed "Jubilation Day" with the Steep Canyon Rangers on Conan.

July 4, 2011: Capitol Fourth Celebration Performance

On July 4, 2011, Steve Martin performed "Me and Paul Revere" and two other songs on the lawn of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., at the "Capitol Fourth Celebration".

July 6, 2011: Performance on BBC's The One Show

On July 6, 2011, Steve Martin performed "Jubilation Day" with the Steep Canyon Rangers on BBC's The One Show.

2011: Sammy Shelor wins Steve Martin Prize

In 2011, Sammy Shelor of Lonesome River Band received the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass.

December 2012: Birth of daughter

In December 2012, Steve Martin became a father when Anne Stringfield gave birth to their daughter.

2012: Mark Johnson wins Steve Martin Prize

In 2012, Mark Johnson received the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass.

April 2013: Release of "Love Has Come for You"

In April 2013, the collaboration album "Love Has Come for You" with Edie Brickell was released.

May 2013: Tour with the Steep Canyon Rangers and Edie Brickell begins

Starting in May 2013, Steve Martin began a tour with the Steep Canyon Rangers and Edie Brickell throughout the United States.

2013: Jens Kruger wins Steve Martin Prize

In 2013, Jens Kruger received the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass.

2014: Eddie Adcock wins Steve Martin Prize

In 2014, Eddie Adcock received the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass.

2015: Danny Barnes wins Steve Martin Prize

In 2015, Danny Barnes received the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass.

2015: Release of "So Familiar"

In 2015, Steve Martin and Edie Brickell released "So Familiar" as the second installment of their partnership.

2015: "The Idea of North: The Paintings of Lawren Harris" exhibition

In 2015, Steve Martin organized "The Idea of North: The Paintings of Lawren Harris" exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and other locations.

2016: Rhiannon Giddens wins Steve Martin Prize

In 2016, Rhiannon Giddens received the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass.

June 9, 2017: Release of Music from The American Epic Sessions soundtrack

On June 9, 2017, the soundtrack "Music from The American Epic Sessions" was released, featuring Martin and Brickell's version of "The Coo Coo Bird."

2017: Scott Vestal wins Steve Martin Prize

In 2017, Scott Vestal received the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass.

2018: Kristin Scott Benson wins Steve Martin Prize

In 2018, Kristin Scott Benson received the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass.

2019: "Desert Painters of Australia" exhibition

In 2019, Steve Martin organized an exhibition with Gagosian Gallery titled "Desert Painters of Australia", which featured art by George Tjungurrayi and Emily Kame Kngwarreye.

2019: Victor Furtado wins Steve Martin Prize

In 2019, Victor Furtado received the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass.

2021: Assisted in launching National Endowment for Indigenous Visual Arts

In 2021, Steve Martin assisted in launching the National Endowment for Indigenous Visual Arts (NEIVA), a fund to support Australian Indigenous artists.