Steve Martinis one of the best known comedy actors of all time, but his body of work is much richer. Currently, Martin’s fans can enjoy his comedy crime seriesOnly Murders in the Building, with the second season airing these days. However, Martin has been acting for decades and amassed many roles. Born in 1945 in Texas, Steve Martin started acting professionally in the late 1960s.
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Since then, he has appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows of different genres, despite the fact that hisbest-known moviesare comedies. Best-known doesn’t always equal best-rated, though, and even Martin’s fans might be surprised to learn what Martin’s movies the public enjoyed the most!
5The Spanish Prisoner (1997)
Considering his popularity in comedy, it might come as a surprise that one of Steve Martin’s best-rated movie is this 1997 thriller. The movie focuses on Joe Ross, a man who invented something that has the power to change the world… but not necessarily for the better if it falls into the wrong hands. Joe’s life becomes even more complicated when he meets the mysterious Jimmy Dell.
The Spanish Prisoneris one of the movies that the audiences enjoy the best the less they know about the plot, as it offers more than one surprising moment. Steve Martin stars as Jimmy Dell in the movie and proves his wide acting range, the fact that he’s just as able to take on dramatic roles as the comedic ones. An interesting detail is that in order to play Jimmy Dell, Martin refused the main role in the comedy movieLiar Liar(1997) soit went to Jim Carreyin the end.
4Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)
Seeing Steve Martin in a leading role of a movie is always good news for his fans. Even more so when the movie happens to be a fun and intelligent comedy full of great actors. As the movie’s title suggests,Dirty Rotten Scoundrelscenters on two men, Lawrence and Freddy, who make their living by cheating rich women out of their money. When they meet in the same city, they soon realize they can’t work in a single location together, and they make a bet. The first man who cheats 50 thousand dollars out of a certain rich heiress will win the city for himself and the loser will leave. Of course, their plans don’t quite go as expected.
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The movie has the power to surprise the audience and both Steve Martin as Freddy andSir Michael Caine as Lawrenceare charming and funny in the leading roles. Interestingly enough,Dirty Rotten Scoundrelsisn’t the first movie version of the same story or the last. The first one calledBedtime Storypremiered in 1964, and it starred Marlon Brando and David Niven. And the most recent versionThe Hustlefrom 2019 gave space to Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson. However,Dirty Rotten Scoundrelsremain the best-rated movie of the three, and it was even nominated for a Golden Globe.
3The Muppet Movie (1979)
Steve Martin is a multi-talented actor, and he can just as well pull off acting alongside puppets as well as alongside live actors. He proved this in the 1979 animated movieThe Muppet Moviewhich also happens to be one of his first feature films ever. The movie centers on Kermit (voiced by Jim Henson), a frog that’s determined to conquer Hollywood. Together with several of his friends, Kermit goes on the adventurous journey.
Those fans of Martin who would be hoping to hear his voice in one of the leading parts will be disappointed. Nevertheless, Martin still leaves a strong impression thanks to his role that’s appropriately titled as an Insolent Waiter. Even on a small space, Steve Martin doesn’t disappoint, and he proves that many great things are lying ahead for him.There aren’t that many (partially) animated musicalssoThe Muppet Movieis a must-watch for anyone who enjoys the two genres mixed together.
2Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)
Road trips are a popular, albeit not the most represented movie genre. Steve Martin dipped his toe in the genre when he starred in the 1987 comedy road trip about two men who are forced to travel together unexpectedly. Martin plays Neal Page who’s flying home to Chicago to spend Thanksgiving with his family. But when his flight doesn’t go where it’s supposed to be, Neal is forced to travel with the kind but loud Del Griffith (John Candy).
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Unfortunately, it seems that the two men have a talent for making things worse when they’re together. This makes it difficult for them to reach their destination but easy for the viewers to laugh while they’re watching Neal’s and Del’s troubles. Martin and Candy created an unforgettable comedic duo together. An interesting bit of trivia is that of all the movies Steve Martin has acted in,Planes, Trains & Automobilesis presumably his favorite!
1And The Band Played On (1993)
Interestingly enough, Steve Martin’s best-rated movie at the moment is also one of his lesser-known ones. Possibly due to the fact that it’s a television movie, and it never ran in the cinemas. That doesn’t make it any less impressive.Inspired by real events, as some of the best drama movies so often are,And the Band Played Onfocuses on the AIDS epidemic that erupted in the USA in the second half of the 20th century.
It centers on multiple characters, giving its large number of talented actors a chance to shine. The movie stars familiar faces, such as Alan Alda, Richard Gere, and, of course, Steve Martin in a smaller part called simply The Brother (of an AIDS Patient). Yet Martin doesn’t disappoint even on the smaller space. The movie was nominated for two Golden Globes, and it’s both intelligent and touching, making it easy to empathize with the characters.
