Steve Martin

In the 1970s, Steve Martin was the biggest stand-up comedian in the world, performing in stadiums with an act that was entirely absurdist. He used props, banjo playing, and non-sequiturs to deconstruct the very idea of a 'comedian.' Martins work was a brilliant satire of show business, and his influence on the 'alternative' comedy scene is massive. He proved that you could be a massive superstar while being completely weird and unconventional. His transition from stand-up to a successful film and literary career is one of the most impressive in entertainment history.