Steve Martin and Martin Short Have Been Friends Since the 1980s

“No introduction needed” is a popular saying in show business and that certainly applies to banjo-playing comedian and novelist Steve Martin.

Decades after decade, this award-winning actor and comedian has delighted audiences around the globe. He’s made appearances in films like Three Amigos!, L.A. Story and Bowfinger to name just a few.

Martin & Short’s First Appearance Together

Martin and Short first came together as co-stars of 1986’s Three Amigos, and their onscreen chemistry quickly led to more films, sketch comedy shows, as well as an ongoing friendship. Martin co-created Hulu’s recent true crime-inspired sitcom Only Murders in the Building with John Hoffman; its success saw them collaborate even further on future productions together.

Father of the Bride in 1991 and its 1995 sequel were both notable reunions of this duo, along with several comedy tours. At Vanity Fair’s Oscar party in 2004, they kicked up some dust, starting a longstanding tradition of goofing off at red carpet events.

Recently, they played supporting actors for Diane Keaton during her Lifetime Achievement Award gala and have even spent time hanging out with some of their famous friends such as Meryl Streep and Michael Caine – more of this story can be found in Friday’s issue of PEOPLE!

Martin & Short’s SNL Appearances

Martin and Short take part in a hilarious 90s talk show sketch in which they play teachers needing student volunteers for a science lesson, with Kenan Thompson, Cecily Strong and Mikey Day rounding out the cast. Although not Martin or Short’s finest SNL moment ever, this sketch adds much-needed energy and fun to a night that had become somewhat mundane.

Short was an integral part of SNL during its tenth season and helped revitalize it under Dick Ebersol (who would later fill his show with bankable actors and comedians to try to recreate Lorne Michaels’ magic). Short also popularized Wheel of Fortune fan Ed Grimley among a wider audience.

Short is best known for creating the SCTV characters Jiminy Glick and Ed Grimley and appearing in Mulaney as well as musicals Little Me and The Goodbye Girl. In a 2022 PEOPLE cover story, Short talked about his friendship with Martin, always making each other laugh together.

Martin & Short’s Father of the Bride Appearances

As they continued their run on SNL, Martin and Short made several guest appearances together in sketches parodying Father of the Bride films. Martin played George Banks while Short reprised his role of eccentric wedding coordinator Franck Eggelhoffer; Kieran Culkin made a surprise cameo as Matty from the original film as Matty as well.

Short was joined in this sketch by Selena Gomez, his co-star on Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building who charged an exorbitant band fee and made Martin wince with embarrassment. Gomez and Martin recently spoke with PEOPLE magazine about their longstanding friendship and business partnership – something Gomez recently expanded upon when speaking about their decades-long bond as friends, actors, and business partners.

Martin & Short’s Late-Night Appearances

Short and Martin have been close since first meeting in the 1980s. From co-starring in Chevy Chase’s Three Amigos to appearing together as Father of the Bride film stars or performing stand-up tours across the nation, Short and Martin have shared an organic creative connection throughout their careers. Now with their recent Hulu mystery series Only Murders in the Building collaboration as well as renewed focus on stand-up careers Short and Martin are once more on top form.

Short appreciates that talk-show appearances are performances in themselves and prepares carefully for each appearance, revisiting old clips and crossing off jokes that have already been used before. Onstage, he creates the persona of an amused, slightly bitter show-biz insider or passive-aggressive Hollywood jerk; an approach which has proven successful for decades and which hopefully continues into the future – as seen when his guests appeared as guests on Wednesday’s Howard Stern Show.