AFI to honor Steve Martin

The American Film Institute will recognize comedian- actor- musician- writer Steve Martin with its 43rd AFI Life Achievement Award. Howard Stringer, chair of the American Film Institute’s board of trustees, said, “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.”

Beginning his career as a writer on the classic late 1960s CBS comedy variety series “The Smothers Brothers Show,” Martin went on to became one of hottest stand- up comedians in the country in the 1970s. He wrote and starred in the 1977 comedy short “The Absent- Minded Waiter,” which was nominated for an Oscar for live action short film. Martin’s first starring role in a feature film was in Carl Reiner’s 1979 comedy “The Jerk,” which he also co- wrote. Other notable credits include “Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid” ( 1982); “All of Me” ( 1984); “Roxanne” ( 1987), which he also wrote; “Father of the Bride”" ( 1991); and 2003’ s “Cheaper by the Dozen.”

He’s won four Grammy Awards, including one for “Love Has Come for You,” written with Edie Brickell from their album of the same name. The stage musical “Bright Star,” inspired by the album, recently opened at the Old Globe in San Diego. Martin also has received an Emmy, a Kennedy Center Honor and an honorary Oscar. He’ll receive the AFI Life Achievement Award at a gala June 4. A TV special will air later that month on TNT with encore presentations on Turner Classic Movies.