Martin Short

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Biography:  Martin Short first became really well-known on "SCTV" in the show's later years, ESPECIALLY as the bizarre, nerdy Ed Grimley character.  From there he had a short, yet memorable one-season stint on "Saturday Night Live".  But he seemed to find great success in movies.  All of these movies were in the comedy vein, but each one unique.  "Innerspace" (1987) was definitely a sci-fi/action-comedy blend.  "The Three Amigos" (1986) was a send-up of the old cowboy movie serials and a fantasy as well.  "Three Fugitives" (1989) was a comedy-drama where we first get to see a serious, dramatic side to Martin Short.  "Pure Luck" 1991 was outright slapstick comedy and probably the funniest (and best) movie he's ever done (it was a favorite of my father's, too).  "Father of the Bride" (1991), "Captain Ron" (1992), and "Father of the Bride Part II" (1995) are probably the first comedies he did that were just comedy-comedy.  The "Father of the Bride" films, certainly, won him great acclaim as he played a very gay character.  "Captain Ron" was probably the first time he played a straightman in films.  "Jungle 2 Jungle" (1997) was another popular comedy-adventure.  But perhaps the biggest shock he gave TV audiences was the raunchy, rude fake talk show host character Jiminy Glick in "Primetime Glick" in 2001.   I still have mixed feelings on that character as it doesn't really suit Martin Short.  I like seeing Martin Short as likable, bumbling characters.  And he's given a lot of range to those kinds of characters.  Jiminy Glick is just a bit too crude for someone of his talent.  I did, however, like the feature film, "Jiminy Glick in Lalawood" (2004).  That was funny, but still I don't think it completely jives with Martin Short.

    There was one Martin Short TV appearance I'll never forget because it shocked and disturbed me.  He did an episode of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2005, episode 'Pure') where the character he plays starts out kind of funny and likable, then in an instant turns outrageously psychotic and freakish because he's a mad killer.  I can understand that he'd want to do different stuff, but that role was just bad, bad, BAD.  Great acting.  He was more than convincing.  But so, so bad for him to do.  I don't like to think about it too much, but I did want to warn people about it.  If you like Martin Short like I do, watch him in anything else but that TV episode.  I certainly don't mean to disparage Martin Short since I enjoy him so much, but that show isn't relative of the rest of his work.

    In 2006 he redeemed himself (with me, anyway) as the role of Jack Frost in "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause".  He was a funny antagonist who ultimately changed his ways at the end of the movie.  That was probably the best of the three "Santa Clause" movies (it's a tough toss-up between 2 and 3) and he added a lot to the series.

    Martin Short's always doing something interesting so I'm always waiting to see his next great show.  More coming soon!

Filmography:  In progress.

Photos:  In progress.

VHS Covers:

Innerspace

Pure Luck