Steve Martin Movies and TV Shows: Full List and Best

Few comedians mapped such a long path from stand-up stages to the small screen as Steve Martin. His screen debut in 1979 kicked off a filmography spanning over four decades, and if you’re here, you’re probably curious about what makes his journey worth tracking. From The Jerk to his recent turn in Only Murders in the Building, the breadth of his work holds some genuine surprises.

Debut Film: The Jerk (1979) · Known For: Roxanne (1987), The Jerk (1979), The Pink Panther (2006) · Notable TV: Only Murders in the Building · Children: 1 · Spouse: Anne Stringfield

Steve Martin’s career breaks into distinct eras, each with recognizable collaborators and comedic approaches.

What was Steve Martin’s first movie?

Steve Martin’s first major starring film role was in The Jerk (1979), which he also co-wrote with Carl Gottlieb (Wikipedia filmography). The film became a cult classic and announced Martin as a genuine screen talent.

Early career context

Before Hollywood called, Martin was a touring stand-up who had already won two Grammys for comedy albums. His transition from stage to screen drew on years of material development and character work.

Debut role details

Playing navin R. Johnson in The Jerk, Martin embodied an earnestoddball whose naivety drives the plot. The character’s infectious enthusiasm—culminating in his iconic “I hate the French” moment—established Martin’s comedic signature.

What is Steve Martin’s biggest movie?

Box office rankings depend on the metric, but several films stand out as Martin’s most financially and critically successful.

Box office highs

The Pink Panther reboot earned approximately $225 million worldwide (Rotten Tomatoes), making it Martin’s highest-grossing individual film. The Cheaper by the Dozen franchise collectively surpassed $300 million globally.

Critical acclaim picks

Planes, Trains and Automobiles holds a 93% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, while Parenthood scored 92% (Rotten Tomatoes). These films endure on best-comedy lists decades later.

What are Steve Martin’s best movies?

“Best” varies by audience, but certain films surface repeatedly across critic and fan rankings.

IMDb top ranked

The Jerk holds a 7.1 IMDb rating, while Roxanne sits at 6.6. Both appear in almost every “best Steve Martin films” list compiled by viewers.

Critic favorites like Roxanne

Roxanne (1987) transforms Cyrano de Bergerac into a contemporary comedy without losing the emotional core. Martin’s performance as C.D. Bales balances physical comedy with genuine vulnerability—a combination critics praised as his most nuanced work.

What are Steve Martin’s TV shows?

Film dominates Martin’s legacy, but his television presence—though sparse—has produced significant moments.

Recent series

Martin stars as Charles-Haden Savage III in Only Murders in the Building, the Hulu series that debuted in 2021 (Official Steve Martin site). The show has run four seasons, with Martin Short and Selena Gomez as his main co-stars.

Guest appearances

Martin’s 16 Saturday Night Live hosting stints make him one of the show’s most frequent guests (Wikipedia filmography). Beyond SNL, he appeared in The Simpsons, hosted Fantasia 2000 segments, and cameoed in Adventures in the Sin Bin.

Steve Martin movies and TV shows in order

Chronologically, Martin’s career moves through identifiable phases—from slapstick newcomer to family comedy star to franchise actor to TV renaissance.

1970s starters

The Jerk (1979) opened Martin’s starring career. Supporting appearances in The Muppet Movie (1979) and Pennies from Heaven (1978) preceded it, but 1979 marked his true film breakthrough.

1980s classics

The mid-to-late 1980s represent Martin’s peak era. Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982), The Man with Two Brains (1983), All of Me (1984), Three Amigos (1986), Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987), Roxanne (1987), and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) formed an extraordinary run of hits (Wikipedia filmography).

2000s remakes

The 2000s saw Martin pivot toward family comedies and franchise participation. Cheaper by the Dozen (2003) and Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2005) starred him as Tom Baker. The Pink Panther (2006) and The Pink Panther 2 (2009) cast him as Inspector Jacques Clouseau, with Martin co-writing the 2006 screenplay. For a comprehensive look at his filmography, you can explore Filme von Udo Kier.

Recent works

Post-2010, Martin’s film appearances thinned. Shopgirl (2005) offered a quiet drama based on his novella. He voiced Capt. Smek in Home (2015) and appeared in Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk (2016) (Rotten Tomatoes). Only Murders in the Building (2021–present) has since become his primary creative outlet.

The progression shows Martin consistently reinventing his brand without abandoning his comedic core—a strategy that kept him relevant across five decades.

What is Steve Martin most famous for?

Several elements define Martin’s film legacy, but certain threads stand out more than others.

Stand-up to screen transition

Few comedians made the leap from stand-up to film as successfully as Martin. His stage instincts—timing, physicality, audience awareness—translated directly to camera work.

Iconic roles overview

The Jerk, Roxanne, and the Pink Panther franchise anchor Martin’s legacy. His collaborations with John Candy (Planes, Trains), Martin Short (Three Amigos), and Diane Keaton (Father of the Bride) shaped his most celebrated work.

“Steve Martin starred in such films as The Jerk (1979), Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982), The Man with Two Brains (1983), All of Me (1984), Three Amigos (1986)…”— Wikipedia editors on Steve Martin filmography

“Insp. Jacques Clouseau teams up with a squad of International detectives who are just as bumbling as he is.”— Official Steve Martin site synopsis

What this means: Martin’s career demonstrates rare longevity without reinvention—he remained recognizably himself across four decades while adapting his comedy to shifting audiences and genres. For fans of classic Hollywood comedy, his filmography offers a masterclass in timing and character work. For newer viewers discovering him through Only Murders, the back catalog rewards exploration.