Steve Martin receives AFI tribute
5 June 2015
From the section Entertainment & Arts
Martin was joined by his frequent co-star Martin Short at the event
A host of stars paid tribute to Steve Martin as he received the American Film Institute’s life achievement award, its highest honour, on Thursday.
Steve Carell, Diane Keaton and Martin Short were among those who joined Martin at the Los Angeles ceremony.
Tina Fey called him “the first rock star comedian”, while Jack Black sang The Thermos Song from The Jerk.
“How do I top this parade of stars who have been so, so funny?” said Martin, as he received his award. “Easy.”
“Tonight is especially meaningful to me,” he added, “because when I was a kid, I used to get all dressed up and play AFI Lifetime Achievement Award”.
Martin, who turns 70 this year, is best known for films including Parenthood, The Man With Two Brains, Planes, Trains & Automobiles and Roxanne.
He is also an author and a prolific banjo player, releasing a Bluegrass album in 2009 called The Crow.
(l-r) Diane Keaton, Lily Tomlin, Tina Fey all paid tribute to Martin
“Usually, when I hear white people playing banjos, it’s time for me to get the hell out of that neighbourhood,” quipped Queen Latifah, who branded Martin “the whitest man in America”.
Short, who starred with Martin on five films, including Three Amigos! and Father of the Bride, added that …read more
Source:: BBC Entertainment
