Steve Martin: 'The 70s were scary'

Actor and comedian Steve Martin is more at ease on stage now compared to the 1970s, which he found a scary time.

The 70-year-old first rose to prominence in the 70s with his absurd and off-beat brand of stand up comedy before moving into the film industry and starring in movies including Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Father of the Bride and Bowfinger. Now Steve is focusing more on his other passion - music - and is currently touring with musical partner Edie Brickell. For Steve, it's a thrill to be back on stage in any capacity, but he feels much more at ease this time around.

"The 70s were actually scary," he told Britain's The Guardian newspaper. "This is joyous. I was on stage alone in the 70s, here I'm on stage with other people who are contributing and we're working together. To have someone play off and be with a band is more pleasurable."

Steve's genre of choice is folk music, and he's resumed playing his banjo, which used to feature prominently in his stand-up routines and comedy albums. Steve and Edie have produced a new record, So Familiar, and the star is happy to put acting on the back burner while he promotes their latest effort.

"Not a bit," he replied when asked if he really didn't want to take on any acting parts. "These things aren't decisions, they happen over time. I did just do a film with Ang Lee that will be out next fall, but it's sort of a smaller role that I'm very happy with. But I don't really want to leave town for three months at a time like I used to be able to. I'm just really happy with what I'm doing right now and don't feel the need to do a film. I'm happy with the way things are."