Born Standing Up

1. From magic tricks to stand-up: Martin's early comedy journey

I had absolutely no gifts. I could not sing or dance, and the only acting I did was really just shouting.

Humble beginnings. Steve Martin's comedy career began with a fascination for magic tricks and performances at Disneyland's magic shop. Despite lacking natural talent in traditional entertainment skills, Martin's perseverance and dedication to his craft allowed him to develop a unique comedic voice. He honed his skills through various jobs, including performing at Knott's Berry Farm's Bird Cage Theatre and working in small comedy clubs.

Influences and inspirations. Martin's early comedy was shaped by a diverse range of influences:

• Laurel and Hardy's gentle humor
• Lenny Bruce's boundary-pushing material
• Nichols and May's subtle vocal shifts
• The philosophical concepts he studied in college

These experiences and influences laid the foundation for Martin's unconventional approach to comedy, setting the stage for his future success.

2. The evolution of an unconventional comedy style

My answer to the question is simple: Who wouldn't want to be in show business?

Breaking conventions. Martin developed a unique comedic style that defied traditional joke-telling formats. His approach focused on:

• Creating tension without release
• Embracing absurdism and non sequiturs
• Incorporating physical comedy and props
• Blending smart and stupid humor

Commitment to originality. Martin made a conscious decision to write all his own material, eschewing borrowed jokes and gags. This commitment to originality, while initially challenging, allowed him to develop a distinctive voice that set him apart from other comedians of his time.

3. Breaking into television and facing personal struggles

I learned over the next months that I could do several things at once: be a comedy writer, be a stand-up comedian, and endure private mortal fear.

Television breakthrough. Martin's career took a significant turn when he began writing for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. This opportunity allowed him to hone his writing skills and gain valuable experience in the television industry. However, success came with its own set of challenges.

Personal battles. As Martin's career progressed, he faced several personal struggles:

• Anxiety attacks that began during a movie outing
• The pressure of maintaining his unconventional style in a traditional industry
• Balancing his growing success with his personal life and relationships

These experiences shaped Martin's resilience and determination, contributing to his ability to persevere in the face of adversity.

4. The road to fame: Developing material through relentless touring

Everything was learned in practice, and the lonely road, with no critical eyes watching, was the place to dig up my boldest, or dumbest, ideas and put them onstage.

Constant refinement. Martin's rise to fame was characterized by relentless touring and performing. This grueling schedule allowed him to:

• Test and refine new material in various settings
• Develop a thick skin against criticism and failure
• Build a loyal following through word-of-mouth

Evolution of the act. Through countless performances, Martin's act evolved to include:

• More physical comedy and props (e.g., the arrow-through-the-head)
• Catchphrases like "Well, excuuuse me!" and "I'm a wild and crazy guy!"
• A blend of smart and absurdist humor that appealed to a wide audience

This period of intense touring and experimentation laid the groundwork for Martin's eventual breakthrough to mainstream success.

5. Saturday Night Live and the explosion of popularity

I walked onstage and was greeted with a roar of such intensity that I remember feeling both pleasure and fear.

SNL breakthrough. Martin's appearances on Saturday Night Live catapulted him to a new level of fame. His performances on the show:

• Introduced his unique brand of comedy to a national audience
• Created memorable characters and catchphrases
• Solidified his status as a comedic icon of the late 1970s

Rapid rise. The combination of SNL appearances, hit comedy albums, and relentless touring led to an explosion in Martin's popularity. He went from performing in small clubs to selling out arenas and amphitheaters, sometimes playing to crowds of over 20,000 people.

6. The double-edged sword of fame and success

I was now famous, and the normal rules of social interaction no longer applied.

Challenges of fame. Martin's meteoric rise to stardom brought both opportunities and challenges:

• Loss of privacy and normal social interactions
• Exhaustion from constant touring and performing
• The pressure to maintain his popularity and creative output

Personal toll. The demands of fame took a personal toll on Martin:

• Isolation and loneliness on the road
• Difficulty maintaining relationships
• The struggle to separate his public persona from his private self

These experiences led Martin to reevaluate his career path and consider new opportunities beyond stand-up comedy.

7. Transitioning from stand-up to movies: A new chapter begins

I was determined to parlay my stand-up success into motion pictures while I still had some clout.

New horizons. As Martin's stand-up career reached its peak, he began to look towards a future in film. This transition was motivated by:

• A desire for longevity in the entertainment industry
• The physical and emotional toll of constant touring
• The opportunity to reach a wider audience through movies

The birth of a film career. Martin's transition to movies began with the development of his first screenplay, based on a line from his stand-up act: "It wasn't always easy for me; I was born a poor black child." This idea would eventually become the film "The Jerk," launching Martin's successful career in cinema.

The move from stand-up to movies marked a new chapter in Martin's career, allowing him to explore different aspects of his creativity while building on the success and fanbase he had cultivated through his comedy.

Last updated: July 23, 2024