7 revealing moments from Steve Martin's 'STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces'

7 revealing moments from Steve Martin's 'STEVE! (martin)' documentary including his romances and career highs

Steve Martin has revealed his never-seen-before side in his new Apple TV+ documentary 'STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces'. In the Morgan Neville-directed documentary, Martin reminisces about the highs and lows of his life that includes his struggle with loneliness and his tumultuous relationship with his father. He also delves deep into his past relationships, his two marriages, embracing parenthood later in life and his friendship with his long collaboratior Martin Short, per PEOPLE. 

1. Steve Martin opens up about the difficult relationship with his father

The documentary chronicles Steve Martin's complex relationship with his father Glenn. Martin shares in the documentary that his father “couldn’t quite be proud of an unconventional showbiz act that he didn’t quite understand." Recalling an incident from his childhood, he shared, “I remember my father got very mad at me because I bought a pair of shorts that cost $4." “He was through the roof, that was a gigantic sum. But I earned it all myself. But then, from then on, I didn’t take any money from my parents, from age 10.” Apparently Martin's role in his 1979 film 'The Jerk' did not satify the senior Martin as he allegedly commented, “Well, he’s no Charlie Chaplin.” Martin shared in the documentary, “I always thought my father was a little embarrassed by me,” before noting those “negative comments were actually my encouragement."

2. Steve Martin vowed to 'making it' in showbiz by 30

During his initial years, Martin conceptualized his “overly confident idiot” character and was struggling to make a name in the industry. He also gave himself a deadline of "making it" in the showbiz by the age of 30. Fortunately, the 'Father of the Bride' star found success in his pursuit and landed back to back roles before he turned 30 in 1975. He brought out his goofy self in back to back shows including 'The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour' and 'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson'. Following his successful stint with Carson, he also started his 'Saturday Night Live' hosting gigs that cemented his position as a great comic in the 1980s.

3. The documentary shares insights into Steve Martin's colorful love life

The documentary adds insight into Martin's multiple relationships starting from his love story with Stormie Sherk at the age of 18. He also dated his 'The Jerk' co-star Bernadette Peters, blacklisted Hollywood screenwriter Dalton Trumbo's daughter Melissa Trumbo among others. He was married previously to his 'L.A. Story' co-star Victoria Tennant from 1986 to 1994. He tied the knot with his current wife Anne Stringfield in 2007. Despite having multiple relatuionships, Martin admitted he suffered from loneliness. He said in 'STEVE! (martin)', “I was very isolated and very lonely. You literally can’t go outside,” before adding, “Your own silence is not there for you.”

4. Steve Martin opens up about welcoming parenthood later in life 

Steve Martin welcomed his daughter with wife Anne Stringfield in 2012 in his mid-60s.  Martin shares in the part two of the documentary, “The first time I saw true love in my life was after the baby was born,” and seeing Stringfield “looking into her face. And there was no one else on the planet.” The documentary also shares clips from the family's domestic bliss as Martin is seen indulging his daughter. Martin's sister gushes, “This child will never not know love,” before adding, “He can be the things that he wanted from our dad.”

5. Steve Martin recalls meeting Elvis Presley in Las Vegas

Steve Martin and Elvis Presley had a hilarious meeting in Las Vegas in 1970. He recalls meeting the King during a stint in Las Vegas opening for Ann-Margret and her husband Roger Smith. Martin recalls, “I see Elvis coming back to visit Ann-Margret,” and added, “He was all in white, and he had the big belt.” He narrates that Presley said, "‘Son, you have an oblique sense of humor… You wanna see my guns?’ ”

6. Steve Martin's professional relationship with Martin Short discussed

Tina Fey and other friends of Steve Martin shared their views on the comedian. Fey said, "I feel like I still wouldn’t be able to say, ‘Well, the real Steve…’” before explaining, “It’s a bittersweet chocolate bar. It’s Hershey’s Special Dark, it’s not milk. There is a longing at the center of pretty much everybody he shows us.” She added later, “And the only person who can fix it is Martin Short!” In an interview when Jerry Seinfeld asks 'The Pink Panther' star what would happen to his career if Short passes away, Martin replied, “I would probably stop."

7. Martin remembers 'weeping' at a John Candy monologue in 'Planes Trains and Automobiles'

Martin recalled "weeping" at a monologue of his 'Planes, Trains & Automobiles' co-star John Candy in the film. He reminisces working with Candy and shared, “John Candy was very sensitive and very complex and we really loved each other,” before adding, “He had a beautiful scene,” and said he was “weeping” at a lengthy monologue of Candy. However, the scene was edited to a line or two in the film.