Steve Martin Honored by a Host of Comedic Greats in AFI Presentation

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Category: Entertainment News

Published on Saturday, 06 June 2015 09:17

Written by AFI

Actor, comedian, author, playwright, screenwriter, producer and musician Steve Martin was honored with the 43rd AFI Life Achievement Award, America's highest honor for a career in film, in an evening filled with laughter, music and cheer. Many of film and television's revered luminaries turned out to pay tribute to one of America's most treasured artists.

The June 4 black tie Gala was filmed at theDolby TheatreinLos Angeles,CAand will premiere onTBSonSaturday, June 13 at 10:00 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. ET/PT.An encore showing will be broadcast onTCM onThursday, July 30, at8:00 p.m. ET/PTas part of an all-night tribute movie to Martin.

Among the 1,000 guests gathered to celebrate Martin were Fred Armisen,Dan Aykroyd,Jack Black,Mel Brooks, Steve Carell,Eric Dane,Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds,Jenna Elfman,Tina Fey,Jeff Garlin,Teri Garr,Brad Garrett,Rebecca Gayheart,Frank Gehry,Susanna Hoffs,Mindy Kaling,Lawrence Kasdan,Diane Keaton,Queen Latifah,Natasha Lyonne,Lorne Michaels,TJ Miller,Kevin Nealon,Randy Newman,Conan O'Brien,Frank Oz, Amy Poehler,Carl Reiner,Jay Roach,Maya Rudolph,Iliza Shlesinger,Sarah Silverman,Michael Sheen, Martin Short,Lily Tomlin,Alex Trebek,Alfre Woodard and more with video tributes from Tom Hanks,Ron Howard, Carl Reiner and Meryl Streep.

Welcome remarks were made bySir Howard Stringer, Chair of the AFI Board of Trustees, andBob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO. Acclaimed cinematographer and directorCaleb Deschanel(THE BLACK STALLION, THE NATURAL, AFI Class of 1969) was awarded the2015 Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medalfor his commitment to excellence in entertainment.

The evening's festivities kicked off with a drum roll and color guard introduction ofJack Blackwho performed a hilarious a capella version of the "The Thermos Song" from THE JERK. In between video clips that celebrated Martin's years as a rock star stand-up comedian, dramatic actor and writer were humorous comments byDan Aykroyd,Steve Carell,Tina Fey,Diane Keaton,Queen Latifah,Conan O'Brien,Amy Poehler,Carl Reiner,Sarah Silverman and Lily Tomlin. Martin's long-time friend and regular co-starMartin Shortentertained the room with comedy and a song.

The evening culminated with fellow comedian Mel Brooks, the 2013 AFI Life Achievement Award honoree and Emmy^®, Grammy^®, Oscar^®and Tony^®winner, presenting the prestigious award to Martin on stage. While accepting the award, Martin joked, “When I was a kid, I used to get dressed up and play AFI Life Achievement Award.”

Proceeds from the Gala event directly support the Institute's national education programs and the preservation of American film heritage. Sponsors of the 2015 AFI Life Achievement Award Tribute includeAmerican Airlines, the official airline of AFI,Audi of America,The Coca-Cola Company,Deloitte,Dunkin' Brands,Rodney Strong VineyardsandWells Fargo.

About TBS
TBSis basic cable's #1 entertainment network among young adults in primetime. Available in 101 million households, TBS features such original comedies as American Dad!,Your Family or Mine and the upcoming Angie Tribeca and Clipped. TBS also features unscripted originals like King of the Nerds and Meet the Smiths.

In late night TBS, is home to the Emmy®-winning series CONAN, starring Conan O'Brien. The TBS lineup also includes popular contemporary comedies, such as The Big Bang Theory and Family Guy, along with blockbuster movies and championship sports. TBS is part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company. Turner Broadcasting creates and programs branded news; entertainment; kids and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

About Turner Classic Movies (TCM)
Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is a two-time Peabody Award-winning network that presents great films, uncut and commercial-free, from the largest film libraries in the world. TCM, which is available in more than 85 million homes, features the insights of hosts Robert Osborne and Ben Mankiewicz, plus interviews with a wide range of special guests. Currently in its 20th year as a leading authority in classic film, TCM offers critically acclaimed original documentaries and specials; film series like The Essentials, hosted by Robert Osborne and Drew Barrymore, andFridayNight Spotlight; and annual programming events like 31 Days of Oscar^®in February, Summer Under the Stars in August and TCM Essentials Jr. during the summer. TCM also connects with movie fans through such events as the annual TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood and the TCM Classic Cruise, as well as through the TCM Classic Film Tour in New York City.

In addition, TCM produces a wide range of media about classic film, including books and DVDs, and hosts a wealth of material online at tcm.com and through the Watch TCM mobile app. TCM is part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company. Turner Broadcasting creates and programs branded news; entertainment; animation and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world. Connect with Turner Classic Movies at www.tcm.com,pressroom.turner.com/us/tcm,facebook.com/tcmtv,twitter.com/tcm,twitter.com/tcmprand shop.tcm.com

About the AFI Life Achievement Award
The highest honor given for a career in film, the AFI Life Achievement Award was established by the AFI Board of Trustees on February 26, 1973. It is presented to a single honoree each year based on the following criteria as mandated through a resolution passed by the AFI Board of Trustees:

"The recipient should be one whose talent has in a fundamental way advanced the film art; whose accomplishment has been acknowledged by scholars, critics, professional peers and the general public; and whose work has stood the test of time."

About the American Film Institute
AFI is America's promise to preserve the heritage of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers. AFI programs also include theAFI Catalog of Feature FilmsandAFIArchive, which preserve film heritage for future generations;AFI Awards, honoring the most outstanding motion pictures and television programs of the year;AFI's 100 Years…100 Moviestelevision events and movie reference lists, which have introduced and reintroduced classic American movies to millions of film lovers; year-round and special event exhibition throughAFI FEST presented by Audi,AFI DOCSand theAFI Silver Theatre; and educating the next generation of storytellers at the world renownedAFI Conservatory. For more information about AFI, visit AFI.com or connect with AFI at twitter.com/AmericanFilm,facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute and youtube.com/AFI.