Steve Martin’s 5 Best Performances

His accolades include 5 Golden Globe nominations, 1 Emmy win and 5 Grammy wins

For decades, Steve Martin has produced comedy for people of all ages. From a father of 12 to no-good con artist, he always understands the assignment.

But, which are his best? We at ScreenHeads have put our heads together and come up with our 5 favourite performances. Take a look below and see if you agree.

5. Tom Baker in Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)

Directed by Stranger Things‘ Shawn Levy, this family comedy stars Martin as a football coach who tries to be a family man to his dozen children whilst also pursuing his dream job.

The star gets to play his usual wacky comedy whilst also throwing in some dramatic moments as well. This is a performance that allows him different layers to switch between.

Though we couldn’t imagine anyone else in the part at this point, there were other big stars in line originally. Tim Allen, Kurt Russell and Tom Hanks were all considered for the part before Martin was officially cast.

4. Bobby Bowfinger in Bowfinger (1999)

Martin became quite custom to wacky films, and this is definitely in that roster. Written by Martin himself, Bowfinger tells us the story of a director who will go to great lengths to have a movie made…even casting big Hollywood star, Kit Ramsey (played by Eddie Murphy), without his knowing and manipulating his day-to-day life to get the shots he needs.

A very fun concept and it also has Martin and Murphy side by side which is an interesting combo.

Martin actually came up with the idea 13 years before the film’s release. Even better, he had not written the script for 10!

3. Freddy Benson in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)

Directed by Star Wars‘ Frank Oz, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels centres on a pair of con artists who compete through their very different methods to swindle an heiress out of $50,000.

Juxtaposed with Sir Michael Caine’s more subtle, serious approach to acting, it makes for a great back and forth throughout the film.

Caine was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, with Martin not. This was a surprise to fans as the latter was considered the one to get the most laughs throughout the film.

2. Neal Page in Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)

A holiday classic directed by the late great John Hughes. Planes, Trains & Automobiles tells the story of Neal Page, a businessman trying to make it back to his family in time for Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, his modes of transportation are cut off time after time, leaving him needing to travel with a loud shower curtain ring salesman, played by another dearly departed talent, John Candy.

As mentioned above, this film is a classic. A lot of top tier comedy, even more heart and the perfect double act made up of Martin and Candy.

This film is/was considered by both actors as the favourite film of their own. No surprise there to be honest.

1. George Banks in Father of the Bride (1991)

At the top we have a role that feels like it’s made for our actor. This film features the comedy actor as a father whose daughter returns home from studying abroad and reveals she is engaged. From that point, a combination of fearing to lose his first born, burning a hole in his wallet and being driven crazy by their wedding co-ordinator (played tremendously by Martin Short) has Mr George Banks ready to snap at any moment.

Like a lot of Martin’s films, there is a great mixture of comedy and drama that makes this a really sweet watch if you’re looking for the actor in his element.

Most fans will know that this is in fact a remake. The original of the same name was released in 1950 and starred Spencer Tracy in the role Martin would go on to portray.

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Like our choices? Or do you think other performances deserved a spot in the top 5? Let us know in the comment section below!