Whether you are familiar with his stand-up routine or the numerous films he has starred in, Steve Martin has been entertaining audiences for decades. Whether it is zany characters, silly humor, or a poignant story, Steve Martin’s incredible range of ability has made him a renowned comedic actor throughout the decades. While he has been in a countless number of films throughout his career, there are some standout cinematic achievements worth mentioning. Here are Steve Martin’s best movies written by Steve Martin.
The Jerk (1979)
One of Steve Martin’s most memorable films throughout his career is “The Jerk” (1979). Written, directed, and starring Steve Martin, the movie follows the misadventures of Navin Johnson (Steve Martin), who is an adopted white kid raised by a black family who, unbeknownst to him, is rich. Navin’s journey, with his best friend (played superbly by Steve Martin’s real-life best friend, actor-comedian Carl Reiner), is uproarious and heartwarming. “The Jerk” is a comedy classic and is often quoted and referenced today, as it was and still is a fan favorite.
Roxanne (1987)
In 1987, Steve Martin wrote and starred in the modern take on the classic story of “Cyrano de Bergerac” called “Roxanne” (1987). Martin portrays C.D. Bales, the chief of police, who is a fireman by night and a romantic at heart. He privately pines for the beautiful Roxanne Kowalski (Daryl Hannah). However, there is a catch—C.D. is madly in love with Roxanne, but he is ashamed of his large nose and has a hard time expressing his true emotions. So, enter Chris (Rick Rossovich), Roxanne’s suitor, and C.D.’s opportunity to secretly reveal his true feelings through correspondence. “Roxanne” is a beautiful, timeless tale of what true love can look like if we mustered the courage to reveal our true feelings that are often held back by our insecurities.
Father of the Bride (1991)
In 1991, Steve Martin wrote and starred in the classic family comedy “Father of the Bride” (1991). Martin portrays highly successful lawyer George Banks, who is forced to come to terms with his daughter, Annie (Kimberly Williams), getting married. With the help of his wife Nina (Diane Keaton), George learns to cope with the increasingly expensive wedding plans, butting heads with the overbearing wedding coordinator Franck (Martin Short), and ultimately, letting go of his daughter’s hand in the wedding transition. It’s a classic tale of fatherhood and the transition of a daughter from a little girl to a woman getting married.
The Spanish Prisoner (1997)
In 1997, Steve Martin wrote, acted in, and produced the critically-acclaimed suspense thriller “The Spanish Prisoner” (1997). Martin shines as businessman Jimmy Dell, who is approached by Joe Ross (Campbell Scott) with an apparent money-making idea. Dell begins to become suspicious of Ross’s motives and with the help of enigmatic Susan Ricci (Rebecca Pidgeon) sets out to uncover the truth. The film is full of twists, turns, and suspense, as Dell attempts to find out if Ross’s plan is too good to be true. With its self-aware screenplay and clever plot, “The Spanish Prisoner” continues to be a fan favorite suspense thriller.
L.A. Story (1991)
In 1991, Steve Martin wrote and starred in the star-studded romantic comedy “L.A. Story” (1991). Martin plays Harris K. Telemacher, an L.A. based TV weatherman who is trying to make sense of the crazy world that is life in Los Angeles. Along the way, Harris falls in love with Sarah (Victoria Tennant), despite multiple interpersonal roadblocks. Telemacher also meets a talking freeway traffic sign (voiced by Martin himself) that tries to communicate with him through wild and wacky hijinks. With its offbeat humor and Hollywood-meets-los Angeles charm, “L.A. Story” is a classic feel-good movie with a message underneath.
Steve Martin has been an iconic presence in both comedy and in cinema for many years. His unique brand of zany humor as well as his heartfelt stories have made him a fan favorite. From “The Jerk” to “L.A. Story,” Steve Martin’s cinematic roles that he wrote himself are worth watching and remembering. He has made many movies throughout his career, but his movies written by him are among the best.