Iconic comic actorSteve Martinhas appeared in several huge Hollywood hits, but some of his best movies were underrated and relatively unheard of. Martin is generally remembered for his absurd humor and for appearing in some ofthe best comedy franchises of all time, such asFather of the BrideandCheaper by the Dozen. He is also the most recent incarnation of Inspector Jacques Clouseau inThe Pink Panthermovies.
In recent years, Martin has made a name for himself in comedy TV shows likeOnly Murders in the Buildingalongside Martin Short and Selena Gomez.While Martin is always going to be an established actor and a prominent household name, he’s displayed the true extent of his talents in several underappreciated movies. From a black-and-white exclusive to a Bohemian food store owner, some of Steve Martin’s best films and roles are from titles that many have never seen.
10 Iconic Steve Martin Characters, Ranked By Likability
Some Steve Martin characters, like Cheaper by the Dozen’s father of 12 Tom Baker, are more likable than others, like sleazy producer Bobby Bowfinger.
Role: Rigby Reardon
Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaidis a brilliantly intelligent film and one of Martin’s earliest pieces. The 1982 title is a parody of film noir and 1940s detective movies thatSteve Martin co-wrote with Carl Reiner, and it is one of their four collaborations. Martin plays a private investigator named Rigby Reardon, who investigates the murder of a local scientist at the request of his daughter, Juliet.Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaiduses a fascinating combination of new footage and archive footage from 19 other movies,such asThis Gun for HireandThe Postman Always Rings Twice.
What’s so brilliant aboutDead Men Don’t Wear Plaidis how subtle the humor is.The sheer ridiculousness of certain moments, such as Juliet sucking a bullet out of Reardon’s arm and the cheese-bomb plot, are taken so seriously that it’s hard not to laugh. The blending of Martin’s act and clips from other films work well together, and there are plenty of tiny details and Easter eggs that makeDead Men Don’t Wear Plaidthat much more enjoyable.
9The Lonely Guy (1984)
Role: Larry Hubbard
Martin plays Larry Hubbard inThe Lonely Guy, a title that aptly represents his character. Larry’s struggles with meeting a woman lead him to write a guide on the matter, which ends his pattern of bad luck. WhileThe Lonely Guytakes a few rewatches to fully understand, especially because the tone frequently flips between being a romantic comedy and an absurdist piece,it’s still an overall endearing movie. The theme of loneliness is prominent throughout, but it’s approached in a light-hearted way.
A great example of this is the cardboard cutouts many of the men carry around with them.However,The Lonely Guyis a stand-out in Martin’s filmography because his comedic performance is less full-on than some of his other characters. Larry isn’t exactly bold, but his shyness creates some laughable moments. Even thoughThe Lonely Guy’s story might not work nowadays, it’s still a film that can be appreciated as a product of its time.
8Shopgirl (2005)
Role: Ray Porter
Shopgirlis an adaptation of Martin’s novella of the same name and sees him take on the role of rich mathematician Ray Porter.Porter’s first meeting with clothing store worker Mirabelle when he purchases a pair of gloves causes his heart to race, but it also results in a complicated love triangle with graphic designer Jeremy. Mirabelle is one of Claire Danes’ best roles, but her chemistry with Martin was a notable part of her performance.
The intriguing commentary about love triangles inShopgirlplays into severalromance movie tropeswhile also subverting them at the same time. While the ending ofShopgirlis rather predictable,the fate of Mirabelle’s love life still keeps audiences guessing right up until the climax of the film.Shopgirlis a romantic comedy, granted, but the use of profound moments and complex characters make it more thought-provoking than other titles in the genre.
7Roxanne (1987)
Role: Charlie “C.D.” Bales
WhileRoxanneisn’t Martin’s most obscure film, it’s definitely one that younger generations haven’t seen. Martin plays fire chief Charlie “C.D.” Bales in the 1987 American romantic comedy, which is a modern retelling of Edmond Rostand’s playCyrano de Bergerac. The piece had already been adapted once in 1950, which was a big inspiration to Martin.C.D.’s self-consciousness over the size of his nose is an undoubtedly strange premise,but it’s also oddly heartwarming.
The relationship between C.D. and the titular character is sweet and wholesome, one of the main reasons why it’s one ofthe best ‘80s romance moviesever.Roxanneshines a light on Martin’s talent as an actor, but it also acknowledges his skills as a scriptwriter. C.D. isn’t as outlandish as characters like Clouseau, but Martin’s interpretation of him allows him to show off his range as a performer.
6My Blue Heaven (1990)
Role: Vinnie Antonelli
My Blue Heavenis often compared toGoodfellasbecause of its focus on the mob, and although the former isn’t as strong as the latter, it still stands as acriminally underrated gangster movie. Martin portrays former mobster Vinnie Antonelli alongside the rest ofMy Blue Heaven’s star-studded cast, which includes massive names like Rick Moranis as Barney Coopersmith and Joan Cusack as Hannah Stubbs.Moranis and Martin’s rapport is fantastic throughout,and the contrast in their characters is the driving force.
Even though Martin as Vinnie is funny, the reason why he is so hilarious is that his casting is a little illogical.Martin’s performance isn’t bad by any means, but the flashy and over-the-top criminal in witness protection is quite different from his typical character archetype. However, this also works in Martin’s favor, especially because Vinnie’s loudness in a suburban landscape is so ludicrous. Considering thatMy Blue Heavenis one of Nora Ephron’s best movies, it’s surprising that it wasn’t more popular upon release.
5Housesitter (1992)
Role: Newton Davis
Housesitteris another work of Martin and Goldie Hawn’s, and their first project together afterThe Out-of-Townersin 1999. Martin’s portrayal of struggling architect Newton and Hawn’s of waitress Gwen are excellent, and their performances prove just why the pair works so well together.Housesitterheavily relies on screwball comedy and coincidences for laughs,and while it’s sometimes cringeworthy, it’s also enjoyable overall. Misunderstandings are also prominent inHousesitter, but they are also a staple of many of Martin’s funniest movies.
For example,Newton and Gwen’s initial meeting only ends well because Newton is so naive and thinks Gwen doesn’t speak English.Despite Martin’s strong presence, Goldie Hawn is the true star ofHousesitter. Gwen’s hustling ways and charm are what drive the film forward, and at times, she overshadows Martin completely. While Martin has to share his spotlight frequently, watchingHousesitteris still a fun experience for audiences of all ages.
4Mixed Nuts (1994)
Role: Philip
Mixed Nutsis a Christmas movie like no other.The film was a commercial failure upon its release in 1994, but it’s also a title that has received more interest in later years. Martin leads the ensemble cast as Philip, a man who is down on his luck during the holidays and also runs a local suicide prevention hotline.Mixed Nutsis undoubtedly very politically incorrect at times, but the film’s intentions don’t appear to be abusive or tormentful on purpose.
However, there are some good qualities toMixed Nuts. Adam Sandler appears in one of his earliest roles, portraying Louie Capshaw, the neighbor of Philip’s coworker.Martin presents his ability to perform as a more subdued and restrained character compared to his typical roles,but he still finds ways to be funny throughout. Even thoughMixed Nutsisn’t exactlythe best Christmas movie of all time, the use of dark comedy makes it a title that some can easily engage with.
3The Big Year (2011)
Role: Stu Preissler
Despite featuring an incredible trio of Martin, Jack Black, and Owen Wilson,The Big Yearsurprisingly flew under the radar. The focus on three competitive bird watchers, each experiencing a midlife crisis, is an obscure premise. Martin plays Stu, the CEO of a New York chemical company and a recent retiree, and he is brilliantly witty. However,Martin’s character is also notable because of moments that highlight Stu’s fears of having no purpose anymore.
Bird-watching is far from a concept that draws audiences in, especially for a comedy movie, but Martin manages to make it interesting.The Big Yearisn’t exactly laugh-out-loud funny, but the intricate details of the hobby and the types of people who are involved with it definitely offer a specific kind of intelligent humor.The charm ofThe Big Yearis modest, but it is a solid family film in general.
2Baby Mama (2008)
Role: Barry Waterman
Baby Mamais a fabulous movie starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, but Martin steals the show as Barry Waterman. Barry is the boss of Fey’s character, Kate, and the hippy owner of a health food store chain, which results in some hilarious interactions.Barry’s out-of-touch innocence isn’t manipulative whatsoever, and he genuinely cares about Kate,which makes his bizarre requests from her that much more comical. For example, the five minutes of silence and intense eye contact Barry makes Kate share with him is utterly absurd.
Everything about Barry’s character design is laughable, however. His soft-spoken voice, eco-friendly lifestyle, and inability to flinch even when angry are all great qualities of his, and they highlight just how clever writer Michael McCullers is. Even though Martin doesn’t play a prominent part inBaby Mama, Barry is still a character who improves every scene he appears in.
1It’s Complicated (2009)
Role: Adam Schaffer
Martin stars opposite Hollywood legend Meryl Streep in the 2009 movieIt’s Complicated.As standard inthe best Nancy Meyers films, there is a focus on a deeply complicated relationship, in which Martin’s character, Adam, plays a significant part. Meryl Streep’s Jane and her conflicted feelings over her affair with her ex-husband and her new budding romance with Adam are complex, but she fails to make things any better as the two relationships both progress.
Martin leans into his age inIt’s Complicatedand embraces Adam’s enthusiasm to find love in his 50s,which is one of the film’s most endearing factors. Even with such a powerhouse cast, which also includes Alec Baldwin as Jane’s ex, Jake, Martin still makes himself known on-screen. The heartwarming yet realistic depiction of experiencing a love triangle later in life is a very different story forSteve Martinto take on, but he fits in beautifully.
It’s Complicated
Cast
It’s Complicated, directed by Nancy Meyers, is a romantic comedy featuring Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin as Jane and Jake Adler, who unexpectedly rekindle their romance at their son’s college graduation, complicating their post-divorce lives as Jake is remarried and Jane explores a new relationship with her architect.
