Disneyland Was His First Stop

Steve Martin’s journey in showbiz began way before the flashy lights of Hollywood. He started at Disneyland, working in Merlin’s Magic Shop in Fantasyland. “I knew every nook and cranny of that place,” Steve reminisces with a chuckle. It wasn’t just the shop that shaped him; it was the people he met there. A co-worker used to say, “Excuse me for living,” and Steve thought, “Why not make it funnier?” So, he turned it into his signature phrase, “Well, excuuuuuuse me.” It stuck, and people loved it. That’s how a simple phrase became a part of comedy history.

Three Wins on ‘The Dating Game’

Back in the late '60s, Steve was a regular guy trying his luck on ‘The Dating Game.’ Guess what? He got picked not once, not twice, but three times! “I won trips to see Wayne Newton, Tijuana for the bullfights, and the grand prize—a trip to Portofino, Italy, with Deana Martin, Dean Martin’s daughter,” Steve recalls with a grin. Talk about hitting the jackpot in love and life. These experiences taught him a lot about charm and confidence, skills that later helped him on stage.

Two Grammy Awards for His Banjo Talent

Steve Martin’s love for the banjo started early. “I first heard it when I was 16, and it hit me like no other instrument ever did,” he says. Imagine practicing in the car late at night, the sound echoing down the street. That dedication paid off big time. He’s won two Grammy Awards for his banjo playing. “It’s been a wild ride,” he admits. Who knew the banjo could be so cool?

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First-Time Father at 67

Life took a surprising turn for Steve when he became a dad at 67. “When I was younger, my focus was all about my career. I was selfish,” he confesses. But things changed when he married Anne Stringfield, his second wife, in 2007. Now, he spends his days hanging out at home, playing with his daughter. “It’s fantastic,” he beams. “You have all the time in the world to enjoy it.” Parenthood brought a new kind of joy into his life.

No More Seeking Work

After the success of ‘Only Murders,’ Steve has decided to take a step back. “When this show wraps up, I’m not looking for more work,” he says firmly. “I’ve got a family life that’s so much fun. To film a movie now, to go somewhere else to live, I’m just not willing to do that anymore.” It’s clear that Steve values his family over everything else. After all, family is where the heart is.