Steve Martin is set to be honored with the Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute. According to the chair of the AFI’s board of trustees, Howard Stringer, the award will be presented during the an L.A.-based gala tribute on June 4.
Stringer praised the American funnyman’s stand-up abilities and creativity, describing him as a “national treasure”:
“From a wild and crazy stand-up comic to one who stands tall among the great figures in this American art form, he is a multilayered creative force bound by neither convention nor caution. His work is defined by him alone, for he is the author — and a national treasure whose work has stuck with us like an arrow in the head.”
The 69-year-old Emmy award winner will join an elite rank of Hollywood A-listers, becoming the 43rd recipient of the AFI’s prestigious award. Al Pacino, Alfred Hitchcock, Jack Nicholson, James Stewart, Martin Scorsese, Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman, Robert De Niro, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks are all among the greats to have received the Life Achievement Award.
Martin started out his career in comedy when writing for comedy and variety TV show The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, for which he won an Emmy. He subsequently went on to guest host Saturday Night Live, and made many memorable appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. During the ’70s and ’80s, he produced a slew of comedy albums and essays before transitioning to film.
Martin has starred in a long list of films, including The Jerk, Three Amigos!, Little Shop of Horrors, Father of the Bride and The Pink Panther. In November of last year, the esteemed comedian was given an honorary Academy Award for his longstanding career in cinema.
