Steve Martin, Three Amigos (1986). Let’s see, after that he had a well received part in Little Shop of Horrors, was in one of John Hughes’ best movies (Planes, Trains, and Automobiles – a Thanksgiving classic), co-wrote and starred in Roxanne (Writers Guild of America, East award), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (not a personal fav but lots of people I respect comidically liked this movie), Parenthood (if not critically acclaimed at least [again] well-received), he wrote and directed L.A. Story (94% on Rotten Tomatoes), acclaimed dramatic turns in Grand Canyon and especially The Spanish Prisoner, wrote and starred in (a favorite of mine, also well received and acclaimed) Bowfinger, wrote a novella and developed it into a script (Shop Girl), It’s Complicated (opposite Streep and Alec Baldwin). In 2009, an article in The Guardian listed Martin as one of the best actors never to receive an Oscar nomination.
His writing and music careers are even more impressive considering his fame and notoriety as a comedian/actor. Picasso at the Lapin Agile is a high point and displays his true genius. He writes pieces for The New Yorker and just won a Grammy for best Blue Grass album. Yes, I guess his career has gone nowhere since ’86. If you are talking about the “forgettable” comedies (the Pink Panther stuff, the Cheaper by the Dozen/Out-of-Towners stuff), I agree they are lacking but I like them because they show that he is still grounded in silly, slapstick comedy that just makes people laugh. What a talent.
Rule #76: No excuses. Play like a champion.
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