Steve Martin became a father in his sixties. He stated that being a father made him feel fantastic.
The definition of happiness defers from person to person. Hollywood actor Steve Martin took a while to realize what true happiness meant to him. After his share of failed relationships, Martin found joy when he fell in love with the woman of his dreams and created a family with her.
Describing his life after marrying his love Anne Stringfield and welcoming their daughter, Martin said, "Very, very happy. I mean, it's actually the perfect shape of a life. Except for the hard parts in the beginning — the disharmony, panic, pain, with occasional moments of great affection and comedy success," according to AARP. He further stated that it took him a while to realize fame does not mean success. Now living his dream life, Martin stated, "It's been a gentle uphill slope to a real, real happiness."
Martin met Stringfield quite unexpectedly in the mid-2000s. Stringfield was a fact-checker at the New Yorker. She contacted the actor after she was assigned to check one of the comedian's pieces. However, their conversation continued and became more than just a professional relationship.
"We talked on the phone for a year before we even met," said the comedian, according to AARP. Martin was drawn to her shy, introverted personality. He related to her despite their 30-year age gap. The couple dated for about three years before making it official.
The actor's friends including Tom Hanks and Ricky Jay thought they were at the actor's home for a typical gathering. However, it was his wedding, according to News. Amomama.
Though many thought it was a little late for the actor to start a family, five years after his wedding, Martin proved them all wrong. In 2012, the couple welcomed their daughter Mary Martin to the world. The actor was more than thrilled to be a father. He said it was better that he became a father late than early on in her career.
He said he felt "fantastic" to be a father in his seventies. "I think if I'd had a child earlier, I would have been a lousy father because I would have misplaced my attention on my career," said the actor, according to AARP. He continued, "I am very forthcoming with her, and it's great. She's giving me way more than I'm giving her."
Speaking to Daily Telegraph, the actor claimed, "When I was younger, I was selfish and focused on my career. Now I’m just hanging around the house playing with [my daughter]. It’s great." Appearing at The Late Show with David Letterman, the Pink Panther actor stated, "It’s going great because I have a wonderful wife and mother," according to Closer Weekly.
"She makes it all possible. She has one of the most important qualities a person can have, and that’s kindness," said the actor about his wife, according to People.
With a family to care for, Martin is mindful of his age and tries to keep healthy. "I do exercise, but gently. I go on a treadmill and listen to a novel or watch television. I lift weights, but I just do my chest and arms. I do it for myself. but I do it for them, as well," said the proud father and husband, according to AARP. Though the actor loves his privacy, he along with his wife and daughter are often seen enjoying their time together.
Martin's life proves it's never late for anything. Keep seeking for what you want and it will surely come around.
References:
https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/style-trends/info-2017/steve-martin-standup-comedy-celebrity-interview.html
https://news.amomama.com/167137-steve-martins-famous-exes-heartbreaks-ma.html
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=DTWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Fstellar%2Fsteve-martin-everyones-favourite-movie-dad%2Fnews-story%2Fce2243d4ad8e7743c7c040b437bcaec4&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=b9bcc68f98dfc5a1eabde117c0c1e444-1601385475
https://www.closerweekly.com/posts/steve-martin-kids-meet-the-funny-mans-only-daughter/
https://people.com/movies/steve-martin-says-wife-anne-stringfield-looks-like-tina-fey/