Steve Martin Teases Retirement from Acting: “This Is, Weirdly, It”

Steve Martin is experiencing an unexpected career resurgence thanks to his endearing, Emmy-nominated performance in Only Murders in the Building, but that doesn’t mean the actor hasn’t considered the possibility of retirement. In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Martin said he doesn’t plan on looking for other work after the Hulu series is over.

Prior to Only Murders, Martin made a comeback to standup comedy with his future co-star on the show, Martin Short, but had otherwise largely stepped away from his acting career. “We were very happy just doing the live show,” Martin told THR. “There may be a natural end to that — somebody gets sick, somebody just wears out — but I wouldn’t do it without Marty. When this television show is done, I’m not going to seek others. I’m not going to seek other movies. I don’t want to do cameos. This is, weirdly, it.”

When pressed about other possibilities like studio comedy films, political humor with Short, or doing solo standup, Martin held his ground. “To film a movie now, to go someplace else to live, I’m not willing to do that anymore. I can’t disappear for three months,” he said before quipping, “Go into theaters with a comedy movie starring me? It’s got failure written all over it.”

However, Martin did admit that the concept of retirement really isn’t part of his DNA. “My wife keeps saying, ‘You always say you’re going to retire and then you always come up with something,’” he explained. “I’m really not interested in retiring. I’m not. But I would just work a little less. Maybe.”

This is especially true if Martin remains open to the type of Hollywood industry lunches that led to the creation of Only Murders. Despite his longstanding belief that nothing usually happens in those meetings, Martin’s sitdown with executive producer Dan Fogelman was the impetus for his future role as the show’s co-creator and lead actor.

Though Martin’s retirement may be imminent, he has a few projects in the works. Along with his 12th book, Martin is the subject of a two-part documentary from A24 that will be released by Apple TV+. Producing and directing is Morgan Neville, who helmed Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain and the Oscar-winning documentary 20 Feet from Stardom.

“It’s somebody else’s take,” Martin said about the currently untitled feature. “They found a lot of archival stuff. They found a photo of my father in 1944 in Germany, touring Our Town with the USO.” There is no release date for the documentary as of yet.

In the meantime, Only Murders in the Building is going to stick around for a while. While still in the midst of Season 2, the series was recently picked up for round three. Be sure to check out our interviews with the show’s music supervisors and supporting cast member Michael Cyril Creighton.

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