Martin Short, who celebrates his 76th birthday on March 26, 2026, became close with Steve Martin when they starred in 1986's 'Three Amigos!'
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Steve Martin and Martin Short might be comedic soulmates.
The actors met in 1984, when Martin hosted an episode of a primetime sketch comedy series for NBC. However, it wasn't until they costarred in the 1986 comedy Three Amigos! that they struck a lifelong connection and fruitful creative partnership. They have since starred in Father of the Bride and its sequel (with the late Diane Keaton), as well as the Emmy-nominated series Only Murders in the Building (with Selena Gomez).
"He's very moral, he's very loyal, very, very ethical," Short told PEOPLE of his friend. "And this is beyond all that talent."
Martin returned the praise, calling the Saturday Night Live alum "the most popular guy at your dinner party."
He explained, "If he's coming to a dinner party, it's a better dinner party. If Marty can't come, you cancel the party."
As Short marks 76 years around the sun on March 26, 2026, look back at his four-decade-long friendship with Martin in photos.
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Amigos Forever
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In Three Amigos!, Short and Martin, along with Chevy Chase, played struggling silent film actors who are mistaken for heroes by the people of a Mexican village.
"In the movie we were supposed to be very close friends who live in the same house. So we consciously did that — we'd play Scrabble between takes in someone's trailer," Short recalled to InStyle.
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Back in the Day
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After they starred in Three Amigos!, they remained inseparable, bonded by "laughter," Short told InStyle. "There was never a phase where I didn't see Steve for a couple years," he said.
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Feature Friends
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The two played opposite each other in the 1991 hit comedy Father of the Bride. Martin portrayed the titular father, who conflicts with Short's eccentric wedding planner. They reprised their roles for the 1995 sequel, as well as a 2020 short film.
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Follow Suit
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Short always showed up for his pal, supporting Martin at the premiere of his 1994 film Mixed Nuts.
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Ready, Set…
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Martin then visited Short on the set of A Simple Wish in 1996.
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Look at This Guy
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In 1999, Short attended the premiere of Martin's satirical comedy Bowfinger, in which he costars with Eddie Murphy.
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Hands to the Sky
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Following their friend Billy Crystal's hosting gig at the 2004 Oscars, the dynamic duo partied the night away at the Vanity Fair post-ceremony event.
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Talk That Talk Show
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While on The Late Show with David Letterman in 2009 ahead of his movie It's Complicated, Martin brought out his buddy.
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Banjo Jokers
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Martin, a Grammy-winning musician, strummed his banjo during a performance with Short at the Toys"R"Us Children's Fund Gala.
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Always Linked
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The Emmy winners stepped out arm in arm as Martin received an honor during the AFI Life Achievement Award gala.
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Kiss Cam
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When their Father of the Bride costar Keaton received her AFI Life Achievement Award, the two came to celebrate her — and shared a kiss caught on camera!
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Live from New York
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They co-hosted Saturday Night Live (Martin for the 16th time, Short for the third), and their costar Gomez made a special cameo for their opening monologue.
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Only Besties in the Building
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Martin conceptualized the popular Hulu series Only Murders in the Building 10 years before it aired. When the time came to create the comedy, he naturally turned to his best friend to play his other half.
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Big Yellow Taxi
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Gomez signed on as the third member of Short and Martin's trio, and they've developed a strong bond with the former Disney star, attending her 2025 wedding to Benny Blanco — where Short cut the cake too early.
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Golden Age
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Most recently, they had a night out at the 2026 Golden Globes, where they both earned nominations for Best Male Actor in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy.
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