Steve Martin Earned Mixed Reactions from Becoming First-Time Dad at 67 — He’s Glad He Waited

• Steve Martin became a first-time dad at 67.
• The actor and comedian has no regrets about starting a family later in life.
• After establishing his career, he now has enough time to raise his daughter.

Steve Martin welcomed his first child at 67. The multifaceted artist and his wife, Anne Stringfield, welcomed their daughter, Mary Martin, in December 2012 but kept the news of her birth a secret until a few months later.

The actor publicly acknowledged his daughter in 2013 during the 86th Academy Awards. While accepting his award, Martin paid a heartfelt tribute to her and his wife.

Martin found that starting a family later in life was a rewarding choice. In a 2017 interview, the comedian, 71 years old at the time, expressed that having a child at his age was a delightful experience, as he had already established his career and had enough time to raise his daughter. In fact, he said:

"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."

Steve's Comments on Responsible Fatherhood at His Age Ignites Diverse Fan Reactions

Martin's decision to begin a family at a later stage in life generated a range of responses from fans, prompting diverse opinions to be shared. Some fans opposed the comedian's views about being a responsible dad at his age.

One fan commented, "Most *irresponsible ever. Be Dean before 21." Someone else expressed that the comedian's decision to become a first-time dad at 67 was irresponsible.

Another fan seemed concerned about Martin's age and expressed a sense of sadness that by the time Martin's daughter reaches her 20s, he would be in his late 80s or early 90s, which might limit his ability to get to know his daughter well. Someone else shared:

"This is sad; that child will be without a father most of their life. Hopefully, he makes it to their HS graduation at least."

As Martin faced criticism, some of his supporters came to his defense. One supporter acknowledged that while the actor might not be present at his daughter's wedding, a potential downside of late parenthood, he had still savored the joy of having a child.

Another fan countered the negative remarks and questioned the concept of a fixed timeline for parenthood. The fan then emphasized that labeling Martin as "old" shouldn't overshadow his enjoyment of being a father.

Despite being in his 70s, Martin has maintained a youthful appearance. He opened up about his secrets for looking younger, highlighting his commitment to regular but gentle workouts. His exercises include treadmill sessions and weightlifting focused on his chest and arms. In his leisure moments, he enjoys listening to novels or watching TV.

A Look into Steve and His Wife's Beautiful Love Story

For Martin, having a younger wife and child is a responsibility and a source of joy. Before the multiple Grammy winner met his wife, he had dated influential women in the entertainment industry, including the late Carrie Fisher, Cindy Sherman, and Bernadette Peters.

The actor was also married to British actress Victoria Tennant, whom he co-starred with in the 1991 comedy romance film, "L.A. Story." The two tied the knot in 1986 and divorced in 1994.

Martin met his wife Anne Stringfield, who worked at the New Yorker, in the mid-2000s. At the time, Stringfield, a fact-checker at the publishing company, was assigned to check one of Martin's comedy pieces. During this time, the pair connected over the phone and stayed in touch for over a year before meeting in person.

According to people close to the couple, Stringfield's shy personality might have appealed to Martin, who was used to others getting him to open up. With Stringfield, he found it interesting that he was the one who had to initiate conversations and connect with her. They would tie the knot in 2007 and welcome their daughter, Mary, five years later.

In a 2017 interview, Martin described his life as fulfilling and declared himself a content and happy man. He mentioned that his life felt perfect. Although he acknowledged facing challenges at the start of his career, he later realized that fame doesn't equate to success. He explained that once he learned that life lesson, his life took a positive turn toward real and lasting happiness.

Steve's Heartwarming Tribute to His Wife

Martin has received many accolades throughout his career, including an Emmy and multiple Grammys. In 2013, the actor hit another significant milestone in his career after receiving an Oscar.

While receiving his Honorary Award at the 2013 Governors Awards, Martin's acceptance speech left people in stitches but also emotional. The actor paid a heartfelt tribute to the industry, his friends, and, most importantly, his wife and daughter.

The actor was emotional as he expressed his gratitude toward his wife, who was seated in the crowd. He said, "My wife, Anne Stringfield, who is as beautiful as she is smart, and …"

As his eyes filled with tears, he momentarily struggled to continue. Then, he lightened the mood and joked, "I knew I wasn't going to make it through this speech. I read it to my dog this morning and wept."

Martin went on to explain how grateful he was for having Stringfield. "My wife alone would have been enough reward for my life, but now she's brought me a wonderful child," he said. "For some mysterious reason, she really loves that child. I don't know. I don't get it."

Martin and his wife have shared a blissful 16 years of marriage, cherishing their private family life as they raise their daughter, Mary, away from the public spotlight.