Steve Martin Honored By American Film Institute

steve martin

All the comedy stars were out last night at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles give love to one of America’s greatest comedy heroes.  Steve Martin was being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute.

Jack Black opened the show singing The Thermos Song from Martin’s “The Jerk” followed by toasts, roasts, bits and tributes from Tina Fey, Sarah Silverman, Amy Poehler, Lily Tomlin, Conan O’Brien, Carl Reiner and a long list of comedy royalty.  Some musical moments came from Martin Short, Diane Keaton and Queen Latifah.  Dan Aykroyd said “I owe you a living, man,” thanking Steve for helping him get the Blues Brothers moving.

A banjo accompanied movie montage celebrated Martin’s giant film career which is just momentus. It would be hard to pick the greatest Steve Martin movies, but you’d have to think The Jerk, Planes Trains and Automobiles, All of Me, Three Amigos, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Parenthood, The Man With Two Brains, The Lonely Guy, My Blue Heaven, Little Shop of Horrors, L.A. Story and Father of the Bride would all have to be there.

And Mel Brooks presented Martin with his AFI Lifetime achievement award “with admiration and a brushstroke of jealousy.” Brooks received his own AFI Lifetime Achievement award in 2013.

And of course, Martin himself had a few words to say, including a very special thanks. “Lorne is really responsible for my being here tonight,” he said, “Lorne, thank you for driving.”  He added “Tonight is especially meaningful to me, because when I was a kid, I used to get all dressed up and play AFI Lifetime Achievement Award.”

The entire tribute will air on TNT on June 13 at 10pm et.  See more photos at Daily Mail.

martin short at steve martin tribute

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