Steve Martin is one of the most influential stand-up comedians in modern comedy history, known for turning traditional stand-up on its head. Beginning in the late 1960s and breaking out in the 1970s, Martin’s act was a sharp departure from setup-and-punchline comedy. He embraced absurdity, surreal humor, and high-energy antics, blending sharp wit with physical comedy and props. His routines featured banjos, balloons, arrows through the head, and intentionally awkward audience interactions, creating a meta-style performance that mocked and celebrated comedy itself. Martin’s breakthrough came through appearances on shows like The Tonight Show and Saturday Night Live, where his unique mix of intelligence and silliness made him a favorite. His comedy albums, such as Let’s Get Small and A Wild and Crazy Guy, became bestsellers and won Grammys, showcasing his ability to make comedy work both live and recorded. By the late ’70s, he was playing arenas, an almost unheard-of feat for a comedian at the time, proving that stand-up could command the same draw as music stars. Though he eventually stepped back from stand-up to focus on acting and writing, Martin’s influence remains profound. His willingness to experiment, break rules, and make comedy an event helped shape the modern comedy landscape. Even today, his stand-up work is studied and celebrated as groundbreaking and timeless.