5 Things You Never Knew About Legendary Comedian Steve Martin
Steve Martin turns 80 on August 14, 2025, and while most people his age are enjoying a quiet retirement, he is still entertaining audiences, especially with his current hit series, Only Murders in the Building, which will debut its 5th season on Hulu on September 9. Through the decades, Martin has carved out a career that spans comedy, acting, writing, and music, picking up awards in nearly every category along the way. But beyond the spotlight, there are plenty of fascinating details about Martin’s life that even longtime fans might not know.
Here are five things you may not have known about the man who has been making us laugh for over 50 years:
1 He worked at Disneyland
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Martin worked at the newly opened Disneyland as a teenager, selling guidebooks on weekends and working full-time during summer break from 1955 to 1958. In his free time, he often wandered over to the Main Street Magic Shop, where magicians demonstrated tricks for passing guests. By 1960, Martin had mastered enough illusions to land a paying job inside the Magic Shop in Fantasyland.
Under the mentorship of Wally Boag, he perfected magic tricks, juggling, and even balloon animal artistry, performing for tips and learning how to hold an audience’s attention. During this time, he was even captured in the background of a home movie that would later become the short-subject film Disneyland Dream, giving him his very first film appearance.
2 His business cards are on brand
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While most business cards are stiff and professional, Martin went a funnier route. His business cards reportedly read, according to Deseret, “This certifies that you have had a personal encounter with me, and that you found me warm, polite, intelligent, and funny.” It has become a quirky legend among those lucky enough to receive one.
3 His wedding was a surprise
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In 2007, Martin pulled off a surprise that even his closest friends did not see coming. He invited a small group of friends, including Tom Hanks, Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy, to what they thought was just a dinner party. But when they arrived, they discovered it was actually his wedding to writer Anne Stringfield. The best man was none other than Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels, and Martin even wore his Inspector Clouseau mustache from The Pink Panther because he was in the middle of filming the sequel.
4 He won Grammys for both comedy and music
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Martin is one of the rare entertainers to be equally celebrated for making people laugh and for making music. His comedy albums Let’s Get Small and A Wild and Crazy Guy each won Grammys in the late ’70s, cementing his place in stand-up history. His love for the banjo earned him three more Grammys in the music category. He has performed with bluegrass legends like Earl Scruggs and has even co-written Broadway musicals. For Martin, the banjo is as much a part of his identity as his comedic timing, and he still plays it in live shows today.
5 His favorite film
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He has said that one of his personal favorite movies is Planes, Trains and Automobiles, the 1987 comedy-drama in which he starred opposite John Candy. Martin has often spoken about his admiration for Candy, and the film’s success has as much to do with their chemistry as with its witty script, according to Yahoo. Martin and Candy also developed a deep personal bond; in a documentary about Martin’s life, he says of his friendship with Candy, “we loved each other.”
Remind 
Classic Comedy Duos
March 2021
Chuckle at television & films funniest comic duos.
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