History of Steve Martin in Timeline

Stephen Glenn Martin is a highly acclaimed American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and musician. He is celebrated for his extensive work in comedy across film, television, and music. His numerous awards include five Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and an Honorary Academy Award. He has also been recognized with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, Kennedy Center Honors, and an AFI Life Achievement Award. Comedy Central ranked him among the greatest stand-up comics, and The Guardian acknowledged him as one of the best actors without an Academy Award nomination.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1915: Original Creation of Landschaft mit Pferden

In 1915, Heinrich Campendonk created the original work, Landschaft mit Pferden, which was later forged.

1955: Edward Hopper Paints 'Hotel Window'

In 1955, Edward Hopper painted 'Hotel Window', which Steve Martin later owned and sold in 2006.

1968: Begins Art Collecting

In 1968, Steve Martin began his avid art collecting with a print by Ed Ruscha.

1977: Relationship with Bernadette Peters Begins

In 1977, Steve Martin began a relationship with Bernadette Peters.

1978: Release of "King Tut"

In 1978, Steve Martin released the novelty hit song "King Tut".

1980: Relationship with Bernadette Peters Ends

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

1984: Joins LACMA Board of Trustees

In 1984, Steve Martin joined 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: Possible Origin of Tinnitus

In 1986, Steve Martin possibly developed tinnitus from filming a pistol shooting scene for Three Amigos, although he later clarified it was from loud music and crowds.

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 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 Fake Campendonk Painting

In July 2004, Steve Martin purchased what he believed to be a Heinrich Campendonk painting, Landschaft mit Pferden (Landscape with Horses), from a Paris gallery.

2004: Leaves LACMA Board of Trustees

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

2006: Sale of Hopper's "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 in a surprise ceremony at his Los Angeles home.

June 2009: A Prairie Home Companion Performance and U.S. Tour

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

2010: Performances and Appearances with Steep Canyon Rangers

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

2010: Creation of the Steve Martin Prize

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

March 21, 2011: The Colbert Report Performance

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

May 3, 2011: Conan Performance

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: The One Show Performance

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

2011: Sammy Shelor Receives the 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 Receives the 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" Album

In April 2013, Steve Martin released "Love Has Come for You", a collaboration album with Edie Brickell, and promoted it with appearances on talk shows.

May 2013: Tour with Steep Canyon Rangers and Edie Brickell

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

2013: Jens Kruger Receives the Steve Martin Prize

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

2014: Eddie Adcock Receives the Steve Martin Prize

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

2015: Danny Barnes Receives the Steve Martin Prize

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

2015: Release of "So Familiar" Album

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 an exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and other locations called "The Idea of North: The Paintings of Lawren Harris".

2016: Rhiannon Giddens Receives the 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" featuring Martin and Brickell's version of "The Coo Coo Bird" was released.

2017: Scott Vestal Receives the Steve Martin Prize

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

2018: Kristin Scott Benson Receives the 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 Receives the Steve Martin Prize

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

2021: Assists in Launching NEIVA

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