If you had told a comedy fan in 1978 that the guy with the fake arrow through his head and the "wild and crazy" Czech accent would eventually become a dignified elder statesman of the Upper West Side, they probably would’ve laughed you out of the room. Yet, here we are in 2026, and Steve Martin movies and shows are arguably more relevant than they were during the height of his stand-up mania.
Honestly, it's a bit of a miracle. Most comedians from the "Saturday Night Live" golden era have either faded into the "where are they now" bin or transitioned into grumpy, serious dramatic actors who refuse to tell a joke. Not Steve. He managed to pivot from being the biggest stand-up on the planet to becoming a movie star, then a celebrated novelist, a Grammy-winning banjo player, and now, the king of streaming television.
He didn't just survive. He evolved.
The Hulu Renaissance: Only Murders in the Building
Let's talk about the elephant in the room—or rather, the murder in the elevator. As of early 2026, Only Murders in the Building isn't just a "hit show." It's a legitimate cultural phenomenon that has redefined what a late-career comeback looks like.
Just a few days ago, on January 7, 2026, the news broke that the show snagged yet another round of nominations for the Actor Awards, including a nod for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble. It's wild. You’ve got Steve Martin (at 80!) playing Charles-Haden Savage, a washed-up TV detective who is essentially a neurotically anxious version of Steve himself.
The chemistry he has with Martin Short is the secret sauce. They’ve been touring together for years—their current 2026 "The Best of Steve Martin & Martin Short" tour is hitting cities like Austin and Minneapolis as we speak—but seeing them on screen with Selena Gomez is what makes the show work.
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- The Gomez Factor: People thought it was a weird pairing at first. It wasn't. She brings a "deadpan millennial" energy that perfectly balances out Steve’s "anxious boomer" vibe.
- The Writing: Steve actually co-created the show with John Hoffman. It’s not just a vehicle for him to tell jokes; it's a tight, expertly plotted mystery.
- The Recognition: The series has racked up over 270 nominations across various awards shows. In early 2025, the cast won the SAG Award for best comedy ensemble, though Steve and Martin Short famously missed the ceremony because Short had a bout of COVID.
Basically, the show proved that you don't have to be "edgy" or "young" to dominate the zeitgeist. You just have to be smart.
The Movies That Made the "Wild and Crazy Guy"
Before he was a podcaster on Hulu, Steve Martin was the absolute king of the multiplex. If you're looking back at Steve Martin movies and shows, you have to start with the 1979 classic, The Jerk.
It’s a bizarre movie. Navin R. Johnson, a white man raised by a family of Black sharecroppers, hits the road to find his "special purpose." By today's standards, some of the humor is... let's say "of its time." But Steve’s physical comedy in that film is a masterclass. The scene where he’s trying to walk with his belongings? Pure genius.
Then you have the 80s run. This was the "high art meets low brow" era.
- Roxanne (1987): Steve wrote this one. It’s a modern retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac. It showed that the guy who played the banjo could also write a deeply romantic, poetic screenplay.
- Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987): If you haven't seen this, go watch it tonight. It’s arguably his best performance. Playing the "straight man" to John Candy’s chaotic energy required a level of restrained exasperation that few actors can pull off.
- Three Amigos! (1986): This is where the Martin-Short-Michaels trio really solidified. It’s silly, it’s colorful, and the "My Little Buttercup" scene is still a staple of comedy history.
By the time the 90s rolled around, Steve shifted into "America’s Dad" mode. Father of the Bride (1991) and Parenthood (1989) were massive hits because they tapped into something real. He wasn't just a zany character anymore; he was a guy struggling with his daughter growing up or his kids failing. He became relatable.
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What Most People Get Wrong About His "Retirement"
There was a rumor floating around a couple of years ago that Steve was retiring after Only Murders. He even said in an interview that he wasn't going to seek other movies or shows once the series ended.
Kinda true, kinda not.
Steve Martin doesn't "retire" in the traditional sense. He just stops doing the things he’s bored with. He’s spent the last year releasing books and music. In late 2025, he dropped a collaborative album with Alison Brown titled Safe, Sensible and Sane. He’s also been promoting his latest book, Steve Martin Writes the Written Word.
He’s an intellectual. People forget he’s a member of Mensa. He’s written plays like Picasso at the Lapin Agile and novellas like Shopgirl. When he’s not on camera, he’s usually writing or practicing the banjo for five hours a day. He’s not sitting on a porch somewhere; he’s just extremely picky about his legacy.
The SNL Legacy That Refuses to Quit
You can't discuss Steve Martin movies and shows without mentioning Saturday Night Live. Even though he was never a regular cast member, he’s hosted 16 times. That’s a record only beaten by Alec Baldwin.
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He was the one who helped the show survive its first few seasons. Sketches like "The Festrunk Brothers" and "King Tut" became cultural touchstones. Even in 2025, during the SNL 50th Anniversary Special, Steve was the one they called to deliver the opening monologue. He represents the DNA of the show.
Why We Still Care
So, why does a guy who started in the 60s still have a grip on 2026?
It’s the lack of cynicism. Steve Martin’s humor, even when it’s satirical or absurd, is rarely mean-spirited. In an era where "clout" and "edginess" are the currency of the internet, Steve’s brand of "silly but smart" feels like a warm blanket.
He’s also leaned into his age. He doesn't dye his hair (he’s been grey since his 30s anyway). He doesn't try to use Gen Z slang to fit in. He just does what he’s always done: he observes the world with a slightly tilted perspective and reports back with a joke.
If you want to catch up on his best work, start with Only Murders in the Building on Hulu to see the modern master, then do a double feature of The Jerk and Planes, Trains and Automobiles. It’s the fastest way to understand why he's one of the few performers who truly deserves the "legend" label.
Next steps for your weekend:
- Stream Only Murders in the Building Season 4 (or the newly released Season 5 episodes) to see the 2026 awards-nominated performance.
- Check out the 2024 documentary STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces on Apple TV+—it’s the most honest look at his transition from lonely stand-up to happy father.
- If you’re in a city on his tour path this spring, grab tickets for the Martin & Short show; they’ve refined the act into something that’s half-roast, half-vaudeville, and entirely worth the price of admission.