The funnyman would be honored for his long career in the movie industry in a gala held June next year.
- October 4, 2014
AceShowbiz -
Steve Martin has been named the recipient of the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award. AFI's chairman Howard Stringer announced on Friday, October 3 that the funnyman would be honored with the 43rd special tribute in a Los Angeles gala next year.
"Steve Martin is an American original," said Stringer in a statement. "From a wild and crazy stand-up comic to one who stands tall among the great figures in this American art form, he is a multi-layered creative force bound by neither convention nor caution. His work is defined by him alone, for he is the author - and a national treasure whose work has stuck with us like an arrow in the head."
Previous recipients of the prestigious award include Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman, Martin Scorsese and Bette Davis. Last year, it was Jane Fonda who took the honor home. Martin began his career as a standup and TV performer. His debut film was the 1979 "The Jerk" but his big break was as the TV writer of "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" in 1969.
This year's ceremony would be held on June 4, 2015 and aired on TNT and TCM later that month.
