GOOD HUMOR MAN
Well e-x-c-u-s-e me! He’s been a bulging, polyester-clad wild and crazy guy with Dan Akroyd in “Saturday Night Live,” a singing dentist in “Little Shop of Horrors,” a crafty conman in “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” and up next, he revives the role of bumbling Inspector Jacques Clouseau in the long-awaited prequel to “The Pink Panther.” But there’s more in store for legendary funnyman Steve Martin.
Steve is set to receive this year’s American Cinematheque Award at the organization’s glitzy all-star gala.
Since the 1970s, Monsieur Martin has successfully made the transition from arrow-through-the-head prop wearing comic to a respected actor, accomplished director and acclaimed author. “Steve Martin is a unique Hollywood star,” explained AC’s Rick Nicita. “He’s a renaissance man, actor, comedian, screenwriter, playwright, novelist and producer and art collector.”
The wacky Waco native has appeared in more than 30 films including “Cheaper by the Dozen,” “Father of the Bride,” “Roxanne” and “Grand Canyon.” But that’s only the beginning. Multi-talented Mr. Martin has written and produced several memorable flicks including “L.A, Story,” “Bowfinger” and “Three Amigos.”
As for the stage, he was the man behind the critically acclaimed “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” and, most recently, the slap-happy farce called “The Underpants” at the Geffen Playhouse.
Steve’s also a regular on the local art circuit favoring contemporary works by Hockney, Lichtenstein, Hopper, de Kooning and O’Keefe. That’s not bad for a guy who got paid peanuts on the comedy circuit. Today he gets mega-dough per movie and will land 25 million clams for reviving the role of Clouseau. Oh yeah, he also plays a mean banjo.
As for success, Steve puts it this way, “It’s great because all I’ve ever wanted is an honest week’s pay for an honest day’s work.”
Superstar Steve joins an impressive roster of previous honorees including Steven Spielberg, Mel Gibson, Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise, Robin Williams and Martin Scorese.
The 19th American Cinematheque Award Gala Tribute takes place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Nov 12.
THINK PINK
Mon Dieu! Speaking of Clouseau, the late Peter Sellers will be hard to replace in the Panther prequel. But fear not, the script is safely in the hands of local legend Blake Edwards. Blake was the mastermind behind a string of hilarious Clouseau capers including “A Shot in the Dark,” “The Curse of the Pink Panther,” “The Revenge of the Pink Panther” and “The Pink Panther Strikes Again.”
This time, the loveable inspector is hot on the trail of a cold-blooded killer who will lead him to the infamous Pink Panther diamond. De-Lovely Kevin Kline takes on the role of Dreyfuss while bootylicious Beyonce Knowles is sure to give the slick flick a good dose of sex appeal.