Steve Martin reflects on a lifetime in comedy and names the eight greatest films of his legendary career, from The Jerk to Bowfinger.
Steve Martin is taking a moment to look back on the work that defined his decades-spanning career — and he’s naming his personal top eight. From his early days as a wild and wacky stand-up to his more recent acclaim on Only Murders in the Building, the silver-haired comedian has been a constant presence in pop culture since the 1970s. Now, the iconic actor has shared which films from his résumé stand out the most.
In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Steve Martin rattled off his greatest hits, including beloved comedies like Father of the Bride, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and Roxanne. Also making the list are cult classics Bowfinger and The Jerk, the latter being Steve Martin’s big-screen breakout in 1979 — a low-budget comedy that grossed over $100 million and paved the way for a new era of absurdist humor.
Steve Martin, who started out as a magician and Emmy-winning TV writer before conquering stand-up and Saturday night TV, saw his film career take off after appearances on Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show, and The Muppet Show. His wild onstage persona translated into box office success, with early films like Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid and The Man with Two Brains cementing his star power — though neither made his final list.
Instead, Steve Martin highlighted his frequent collaborations with director Frank Oz, including Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Housesitter, and Little Shop of Horrors. “I love all the movies I made with Frank Oz,” Martin said, underscoring their comedic chemistry and creative synergy.
Interestingly, while Steve Martin found critical and commercial success with films like LA Story and Parenthood, neither earned a spot on his list. Of LA Story, Steve Martin admitted the movie was “very personal” and “funny,” but added, “I’m just not sure if I achieved” the magical tone he envisioned.
Steve Martin’s career surged again in the early 2000s with hits like Cheaper by the Dozen and an Emmy-nominated guest role on 30 Rock. But his latest act may be one of his most beloved: co-starring with Selena Gomez and Martin Short on the Disney+ breakout hit Only Murders in the Building. With Season 5 on the horizon, Steve Martin has hinted at retiring once the show wraps — though his legacy is already well intact.
Whether it’s his screwball beginnings or his late-career resurgence, Steve Martin’s impact on comedy is undeniable. And now, fans have an official shortlist straight from the man himself.
Here are Steve Martin‘s top 8 movie picks of his career:
1. Father of the Bride (1991)
Steve Martin plays an overprotective dad navigating the chaos of his daughter’s wedding in this heartfelt and hilarious family comedy.
2. Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
A mismatched pair — Steve Martin’s uptight exec and John Candy’s talkative salesman — endure every travel nightmare imaginable in this holiday road-trip classic.
3. Roxanne (1987)
Steve Martin gives a romantic and witty performance as a charming, large-nosed fire chief in this modern twist on Cyrano de Bergerac.
4. Bowfinger (1999)
In one of his most underrated comedies, Steve Martin plays a desperate filmmaker who secretly casts a Hollywood superstar (Eddie Murphy) without his knowledge.
5. The Jerk (1979)
Steve Martin’s breakout film follows the absurd rise and fall of a clueless, kind-hearted man who goes from rags to riches and back again — all with ridiculous flair.
6. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)
Steve Martin and Michael Caine are rival con artists trying to out-swindle each other in the French Riviera in this slick, twisty comedy directed by Frank Oz.
7. Little Shop of Horrors (2003)
Though best known for the original, Steve Martin highlighted this version — a wild musical horror-comedy where he memorably plays a sadistic dentist.
8. Housesitter (1992)
Steve Martin stars opposite Goldie Hawn in this quirky rom-com about a man whose life gets turned upside down when a stranger pretends to be his wife.
