Steve Martin Reveals the One Role He Says Defined His Legendary Career
For more than six decades, Steve Martin has shaped modern comedy, crossing generations without ever losing relevance and now the man himself has drawn a clear line under one role he believes stands above all the rest.
From his earliest television appearances in the 1960s to his current success connecting with younger audiences through Only Murders in the Building, Martin’s career has been marked by reinvention, range and rare staying power. Few performers can claim to be as influential in stand-up, film, television, music and writing and even fewer can say they remained beloved across every era they worked in.
Martin’s rise to stardom came fast in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Films like The Jerk, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Three Amigos didn’t just perform well, they helped define what American comedy looked like at the time. His characters were bold, strange, sharply written and often fearless in their absurdity. By the end of that decade, his legacy was already secure.
But when asked to name the single greatest role of his entire career, Martin didn’t point to his most famous box office hits and he didn’t hesitate. He chose CD Bales, the lead character in the 1987 film Roxanne.
This choice matters because Roxanne was different. It wasn’t just another performance. It was deeply personal. Martin wrote the screenplay himself, reimagining the classic Cyrano de Bergerac story for a modern audience. He spent years shaping it, unsure at times if he could pull it off. That doubt and that creative risk, became part of what made the performance resonate.
The film proved him right. Roxanne earned strong critical praise, performed far beyond its budget at the box office and brought Martin a Golden Globe nomination. More importantly, it showed a softer, smarter and more emotionally grounded side of his comedy. CD Bales was funny, yes, but he was also vulnerable, thoughtful and human.
Even decades later, when asked again about his favorite role, Martin immediately returned to that same answer. He described the character as energetic and alive, a role that gave him room to fully express himself as both a writer and a performer.
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In an industry that often values the loudest success or the most recent hit, Martin’s reflection is a reminder that lasting impact often comes from creative courage. Roxanne wasn’t just a moment in his career. It was a statement of who he was as an artist.
As audiences continue to rediscover Steve Martin through old classics and new projects alike, his own words offer a powerful guide to understanding his legacy. Stay with us as we continue to track the stories behind the people who shaped entertainment and the moments that truly defined them.
Steve Martin Names the One Role That Defined His Legendary Career
For more than six decades, Steve Martin has been a constant presence in global entertainment, shaping comedy across film, television and stage and now the man himself has settled a debate fans have argued for years, which role stands above all the rest.
Martin’s career began in the 1960s and never really slowed down. He became a defining comic voice of his generation with bold, absurd and intelligent performances that pushed comedy forward. From wildly anarchic early films to smart character-driven stories, his work has crossed eras, formats and audiences. And most recently, his success with Only Murders in the Building has introduced him to younger viewers who may be discovering his legacy for the first time.
With so many iconic characters behind him, choosing a single defining role would seem almost impossible. Films like The Jerk, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Three Amigos are deeply embedded in pop culture. Each represents a different phase of his evolution, from outrageous physical comedy to more grounded, emotionally layered performances.
But Steve Martin has been clear. When asked directly to name the greatest role of his entire career, his answer came instantly and without hesitation. The character was C.D. Bales from the 1987 film Roxanne.
This choice matters because Roxanne marked a turning point. Martin was not just the star. He was also the writer, adapting the classic Cyrano de Bergerac story into a modern romantic comedy. At the time, it was a major creative risk. He spent years shaping the screenplay and openly questioned whether he was capable of doing justice to such a well-known story while still making it his own.
The result proved transformative. Roxanne was warmly received by critics, performed strongly at the box office and earned Martin major award recognition. More importantly, it showed a different side of his talent. The comedy was sharp but restrained. The romance was sincere. And the character was energetic, vulnerable and deeply human.
Martin has explained that this role felt alive to him in a way none of the others did. It allowed him to balance humor with heart and confidence with insecurity. In many ways, it captured everything he had learned up to that point in his career.
At a time when legacy is often defined by popularity alone, Martin’s answer reminds us that impact and personal meaning still matter. Roxanne was not just another hit. It was the moment where he fully trusted his voice as both a performer and a storyteller.
As audiences continue to rediscover Steve Martin’s work across generations, this insight gives new perspective on a career that helped define modern comedy. Stay with us as we continue tracking the stories behind the artists who shaped entertainment history and the moments that mattered most.
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