I just don't understand people who don't like Steve Martin. This comedy legend has dedicated his life to his trade and I believe he has mastered it. Steve Martin came from humble beginnings, born in 1945 in Waco, Texas. His father was an aspiring actor and moved the family to California. At age 15, Martin got a job at the Magic Shop at Disney's Fantasyland where he learned magic, juggling, and how to make balloon animals. He took some classes at Santa Ana College and joined a comedy troupe at Knott's Berry Farm before attending California State University as a philosophy major. Martin transferred to UCLA in 1967 and become a theatre major. Here's where you're thinking, "Wow! Nobody our age has it figured out. This is so refreshing!" Think again! That same year, Martin won his first Emmy for his writing on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. In 1972 he made his first stand-up appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, performing many times a year and even guest hosting a few times after. In 1976, he guest hosted Saturday Night Live and has now hosted a total of 15 times, one less than Alec Baldwin. 1977 marks the release of his first comedy album, "Let's Get Small." In 1978 he released his second comedy album, "A Wild and Crazy Guy," which sold over a million copies. The laundry list of works he has completed includes The Absent-Minded Waiter, The Jerk, The Big Year, The Pink Panther, My Blue Heaven, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, just to name a few of my favorites. There are hundreds of other examples of his incredible work, with the exception of Cheaper by the Dozen, not great, but I won't go further into it. But I implore you to invest more time in his work, including his band, Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers. 
I am not sure that Csikszentmihalyi himself could not name a more creative personality than that of Steve Martin. I believe "The Ten Dimensions of Complexity" perfectly describe Martin's personality. When you see his characters in his films they are completely different than the man you see in interviews. He is a very down to earth guy that just completely takes on a new persona on the big screen. His writing can be both philosophical and comical. It takes incredible skill to be able to just flip a switch and be someone entirely new. It's not crazy. It's talent.Martin is intrinsically motivated. In his work, he is unapologetically himself, and that's what makes it great. You can tell he doesn't really care how people respond to it as much as he loves just putting it out there. Luckily, he puts out some pretty amazing things. He is surrounded by other comedians that add to his work, such as Martin Short. These two legends have been friends for a long time and this year Netflix released a standup routine starring the pair: Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life. Nothing is more refreshing than a comedian that isn't in it for the glory. And that's why Steve Martin will always be an idol of mine. God willing he comes out with more gold in the coming years. I need my fix.
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I definitely agree that Steve Martin is a very creative person! When he started out doing stand-up comedy he did things that no one had ever done before. I also think it is really interesting that Steve Martin grew up around the world of performing arts. I wonder how that influenced his work as both a comedian and actor.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very interesting read! I have followed a few of Martin's works throughout the years but had no idea about his past and his transition into comedy. I think his success in so many fields is a testament to his creative genius.
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