Steve Martin Net Worth: A Comedy Legend with a Multifaceted Legacy

Steve Martin is an American comedian, actor, writer, and musician who has a net worth of $140 million. As you’ll see in the paragraphs below, outside of his significant acting paychecks, Steve Martin owns an art collection that is worth at least $50 million and real estate in California that is worth a combined $30+ million. Steve Martin has been cracking people up with his brand of intelligent humor since the late 1960s. He won his first Emmy at the age of 23 as a writer for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.”  From there, he went on to write for “The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour” and “The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour,” among other programs. He moved out from behind the camera in 1969 and thus began a long and very successful career as a performer. 

Who is Steve Martin? 

Steve Martin is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer, and musician. Born on August 14, 1945, in Waco, Texas, he is known for his stand-up comedy and roles in films such as The Jerk, Father of the Bride, and Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Martin has won numerous awards, including an Emmy and a Grammy, and is also a skilled banjo player. Recently, he starred in the Hulu series Only Murders in the Building, alongside Martin Short and Selena Gomez.

Steve Martin Early Life

Steve Martin was born Stephen Glenn Martin on August 14, 1945, in Waco, Texas. He grew up with his mother, Mary, father, Glenn (a real estate salesman), and sister, Melinda, in Inglewood and Garden Grove, California. Steve attended Garden Grove High School, where he was on the cheerleading squad, and he had a job selling guidebooks at Disneyland from 1955 to 1958. He enjoyed spending time at Disneyland’s Main Street Magic shop and began working at Fantasyland’s magic shop in 1960. At the age of 18, Martin began performing music, magic, and comedy at Knott’s Berry Farm. After graduating from high school, he took drama and poetry courses at Santa Ana College before transferring to UCLA to study theater in 1967. While attending college, Steve performed at local clubs, and he dropped out of UCLA when he was 21.

Steve Martin Stand-Up Comedy Career

In 1967, Nina Goldblatt, Martin’s former girlfriend, submitted his work to Mason Williams, the head writer of “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.” Williams hired Steve to be a writer, and the writing staff won an Emmy for Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy, Variety, or Music in 1969. Martin also made his first TV appearance on the show (1968) and went on to write and perform for “The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour” from 1971 to 1973. Beginning in the mid-1970s, he frequently appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” “The Gong Show,” “The Muppet Show, ” and “Saturday Night Live,” and his stand-up comedy albums, “Let’s Get Small” (1977).

Steve Martin Acting Career

In 1977, Martin starred in “The Absent-Minded Waiter” (which he also wrote), and it earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Short Film, Live Action. He then starred in 1979’s “The Jerk” (which he co-wrote with Carl Gottlieb and Michael Elias); the film grossed $100 million worldwide and is considered to be one of the funniest movies of all time. In the 1980s, Steve starred in future classics like “Three Amigos,” “Planes, Trains, & Automobiles,” “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” and “Parenthood,” and he appeared in 17 films in the 1990s, including “Father of the Bride” movies, “Leap of Faith,” and “Bowfinger.” Though Martin has been focusing on music more than acting in the 2000s.

Steve Martin Personal Life

Steve began a relationship with Bernadette Peters in 1977, and they stayed together for four years; Martin wrote the character of Marie in “The Jerk” with Peters in mind, and the pair also starred in “Pennies from Heaven” together. Steve was married to actress Victoria Tennant from 1986 to 1994, then went on to wed writer Anne Stringfield in 2007. Steve and Anne welcomed a daughter in December 2012, making him a first-time dad at the age of 67.

Villa Au Soleil St. Barts

Perched in the hills of St. Barts, overlooking the Caribbean, the stunning 180-degree view of the surrounding landscape is one of the reasons Mr. Martin purchased the home in 2008. St. Barts is known for being one of the more private Caribbean islands, and it has become a favorite of paparazzi-averse celebrities everywhere. Consequently, they have rented the home to a host of other luminaries when they are not there. The house has four bedrooms and an open-plan living room space. There is also a formal dining room.

Steve Martin Writing Career

Martin has published 12 books, including “Picasso at the Lapin Agile and Other Plays” (1996), “Pure Drivel” (1998), “Shopgirl” (2000), and “Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life” (2007). He also wrote the screenplays for “The Jerk,” “Three Amigos,” “Roxanne,” “Bowfinger,” and several other films. Steve wrote the script and music (along with Edie Brickell) for “Bright Star,” which ran on Broadway from February to June 2016, and embarked on a national tour the following year; the play won a Drama Desk Award and 2 Outer Critics Circle Awards. His play “Meteor Shower” made it to Broadway in November 2017 and starred Amy Schumer, Keegan-Michael Key, and Laura Benanti. In 2020, he released a collection of cartoons with Harry Bliss called “A Wealth of Pigeons.

Awards and Honors

Steve has won several awards for his work, including 5 Grammys, 2 People’s Choice Awards, 2 Writers Guild of America awards, an Emmy (1969), a Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (2005), and a Kennedy Center Honor (2007). He received an honorary Academy Award in 2004 as well as lifetime achievement awards from the American Comedy Awards (2000), American Film Institute (2015), and the Las Vegas Film Critics Society (2010). Martin was ranked #6 on Comedy Central’s 2004 list of the 100 greatest stand-up comics, and in 2011, the International Bluegrass Music Association named him Entertainer of the Year.

Real Estate

In January 1995, Steve paid $3.175 million for a home in Beverly Hills. The 7,000-square-foot home was built in 1939 and features multiple structures surrounding a large lawn with a pool and outdoor entertaining area. In 1997, Steve paid $995,000 for the 1.1-acre property next door, which featured a 4-bedroom home. In 2019, he sold the neighboring parcel for $2.22 million. Today, his main property is worth at least $10 million.

FAQs

What is Steve Martin net worth?
Steve Martin’s net worth is approximately $140 million, driven by his acting, writing, music, and art collection.

What was Steve Martin’s first major TV writing job?
Steve Martin won his first Emmy in 1969 for writing on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.

Has Steve Martin ever won an Academy Award?
Yes, Steve Martin received an honorary Academy Award in 2004 for his contributions to the film industry.

What is Steve Martin’s relationship with music?
Aside from acting, Steve Martin is a talented banjo player and has even released bluegrass albums.

Where does Steve Martin own property?
Steve Martin owns a luxurious home in St. Barts and a Beverly Hills estate worth over $10 million.

In Short

Steve Martin is a multifaceted talent with a remarkable career in comedy, acting, writing, and music. With a net worth of $140 million, his success spans decades, from his early days as a writer to his iconic roles in films and TV. Known for his wit and creative achievements, Martin has earned numerous accolades, including Grammys, an Emmy, and an honorary Academy Award. His diverse talents extend to his art collection, real estate investments, and musical endeavors, cementing his status as a true cultural icon.