See Steve Martin Before He Went Gray — Iconic Funnyman’s Dark Hair Days

Steve Martin has long been celebrated for his absurdist stand-up comedy and screen performances, becoming equally famous for his distinctive gray hair. When he first rose to fame in the ’70s, his gray hair and white suit became iconic. Many fans may assume he was gray-headed from birth since most have never seen him with dark hair!

While many people feel self-conscious about going gray prematurely, Martin embraced his silver strands, which first appeared when he was just 15. He even credited his gray hair with helping his career, never opting to dye it.

In the recent documentary, *Steve! (Martin): A Documentary in 2 Pieces*, Martin shared that having gray hair balanced the more childish aspects of his routine.

“When I worked with [comedian and fellow writer on *The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour*] Bob Einstein, he said, ‘You know what’s gonna help you? Age.’ And he was right. Because the act looked juvenile. That’s why it helped when my hair turned gray a little bit. You always have to think that a grown man is doing this,” Martin explained.

His older appearance allowed him to get away with silliness on stage. It’s fascinating to look back at those early days when Steve Martin still had dark hair.

Starting his career as a writer for *The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour*, Martin made his first TV appearance on the show in 1968. In an oral history of the show in *The Hollywood Reporter*, Martin recalled earning just $300 a week and feeling insecure but quickly gaining experience. By the ’70s, he was a rising star in stand-up comedy and a popular TV guest.

In addition to comedy, Martin is also a talented musician, often incorporating music into his stand-up routines. He performed regularly at the famed Hollywood club, the Troubadour, and was frequently photographed by Henry Diltz. Martin is especially known for his banjo playing, a passion since at least 1969, as captured in several photos by Diltz.

Discussing his early years, Martin said, “I became a semi-professional, meaning I was working the local folk-music clubs, either working for free or for a week. And I quickly decided that… whatever it was, I was going to pretend like it was fantastic. And how great am I? How great is what you’re seeing? And I think that’s what, really, the audience tuned into because they couldn’t believe that someone actually was that confident.”

Martin’s assuredness paid off. His humor shone through in early photo shoots, where he’d pose with a deadpan look while ironing a cat, showcasing his unique comedic style.

Martin’s onstage bravado paid off, and he showed off his humor in early photo shoots, like this one, where he pretended to iron a cat while keeping a perfectly deadpan expression on his face.

Despite the comical captures, Martin was genuinely fond of cats, as shown in a photo holding one affectionately.

A surprising image of a bearded Steve Martin also exists from his brief hippie days. In an NPR interview, he reflected on that period, noting that Charles Manson’s notoriety marred the long-haired look. He said, “I decided, OK. I’m putting on a suit, I’m putting on a tie, and I’m cutting my hair… rather than being at the tail end of an era, I was at the beginning of a new one.”

Steve Martin’s transformation and embrace of a new comedic era have left a lasting impact. Witnessing his younger days with dark hair offers a unique glimpse into the evolution of this beloved comedian.