Martin came to public notice as a writer for the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, and later became a frequent guest on The Tonight Show
. In the 1970s, Martin performed his offbeat, absurdist comedy routines before packed houses on national tours. Since the 1980s, having branched away from stand-up comedy
, he has become a successful actor, playwright, pianist, and banjo player, eventually earning Emmy, Grammy, and American Comedy
awards, among others.
Martin was born in Waco, Texas
, the son of Mary Lee (née Stewart) and Glenn Vernon Martin, a real estate salesman and aspiring actor.
The new phone book's here! The new phone book's here! This is the kind of spontaneous publicity I need. My name in print. That really makes somebody. Things are going to start happening to me now!
All of a sudden I had to remember some words that Marlowe had told me over fifteen years ago: 'Dead men don't wear plaid.' Hmm... Dead men don't wear plaid. I still don't know what it means.
You kill me and I'll see that you never work in this town again.
A kiss may not be the truth, but it is what we wish were true.
Why is it we don't always recognize the moment when love begins, but we always know when it ends?
Hosting the Oscars is like making love to a beautiful woman — it's something I only get to do when Billy Crystal|Billy Crystal's out of town.
I handed in a script last year and the studio didn't change one word. The word they didn't change was on page 87.
It was so sweet backstage, you should have seen it — The Teamsters were helping Michael Moore into the trunk of his limo.
I like a woman with a head on her shoulders. I hate necks.
Now let's repeat the non-conformists' oath: I promise to be different! (audience repeats) I promise to be unique! (audience repeats) I promise not to repeat things other people say! (audience laughs, repeats) Good!