Steve Martin - Musical Comedy Part 2

In the first part of Steve Martin - Musical Comedy, I briefly discussed Steve Martin's background in the performing arts, critical acclaim, a musical hint, and ultimately a YouTube sample of Steve Martin's musical comedy.

In this concluding part of Steve Martin - Musical Comedy, I thought I would touch on Steve Martin's film career.

Steve Martin's well-known performances -

- The Jerk (1979)

- Three Amigos (1986)

(Steve Martin, Martin Short, Chevy Chase)

(Written by Steve Martin, Lorne Michaels, and singer-songwriter, Randy Newman)

- Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

(Movie musical)

- Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

- Father of the Bride (1991)

(The original version starred Spencer Tracy)

(Sequel in 1995)

- Bowfinger

(Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy)

(Written by Steve Martin)

- Cheaper by the Dozen 

(Sequel in 2005)

- The Pink Panther (2006)

(The Pink Panther series dates to the late 1960s and into the 1970s.  Steve Martin's role as French Inspector Clouseau is well defined by the late British actor, Peter Sellers.)

- The Pink Panther 2 (2009)

- It's Complicated (2009)

(Steve Martin, Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin)

A full list of Steve Martin's acting career can be found on Wikipedia.)

Critical acclaim -

- "Stand-up comedy was "just an accident" for him, his real goal was to get into film"

- The Jerk success - Grossed over $100 million ($4 million budget)

- Roxanne (1987) earned Steve Martin a Writers Guild of America Award

- By 2003, Steve Martin ranked 4th on box office stars list

(Cheaper by the Dozen earning over $130 million)

(Bringing Down The House earning over $130 million)

- The Pink Panther + The Pink Panther 2

Grossed over $230 million 

*I am a huge fan of the The Pink Panther franchise, from the original (starring David Niven, Robert Wagner, and Peter Sellers) to every sequel that has its own story.  Steve Martin is an excellent follow to Peter Sellers' unique, slapstick, and hilarious role as Inspector Clouseau.  I personally would recommend a rental or purchase depending on your cable setup.

- 2009 "...an article in The Guardian listed Martin as one of the best actors never to receive an Oscar nomination"

Steve Martin's writing career can be found on Wikipedia. 

Let's switch gears.  

Although I have seen many of Steve Martin's films, I am most intrigued by his musical comedy.

His career in bluegrass music is rather detailed, so I will leave Wikipedia to describe.

Point of intrigue -

In 2010, Steve Martin founded the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass - a $50,000 prize, bronze sculpture, and chance to perform with Steve Martin on the Late Show with David Letterman - to honor artistry and greater visibility to bluegrass performers.  Thus far, there have been eight recipients.  

Okay, now for musical comedy..."Jubilation Day."