And now for his next trick …

… Steve Martin will pick up the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award.

Since his breakout role as the sweetly naive Navin Johnson in director Carl Reiner’s 1979 hit “The Jerk” and the three Reiner collaborations that followed — “Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid,” “The Man With Two Brains” and “All of Me” — Steve Martin has made about 40 films, most recently the animated hit “Home.”

Two days after this inter- view, he was to report to work on Ang Lee’s forthcoming “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk,” in which he plays the owner of a professional football team.

“I never had a vision for my career,” Martin said. “So I kind of do what comes along that I like.”

What comes along next is the 43rd American Film Institute Life Achievement Award, which Martin will receive at a Thursday evening gala at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. He will join an elite group of actors and directors who have won the honor, including fellow funnyman Mel Brooks, who will present the award, as

Genaro Molina Los Angeles Times STEVE MARTIN’S creative pursuits include playing the banjo, writing fiction and performing card tricks.