About Steve :: Person ::
Mormon Rumors

There is a great deal of fan interest in Steve's religion. Although raised in a Southern Baptist family, his statements in the press tend to suggest that he is probably more agnostic than anything else.

However, rumors persist that Steve is secretly a Mormon.  After years of such rumors, he has publicly said he is not. But some of the discussion is here.
 

The Toronto Sun
September 10, 2001 Monday, Final Edition
Entertainment; Pg. 38
NOVOCAINE KICKS IN; STEVE MARTIN CLOWNS AROUND AT PRESS CONFERENCE
BRUCE KIRKLAND, TORONTO SUN

Helena Bonham Carter stifled yawns and tossed off mostly one-word answers, her Novocaine director got over-eager, and Steve Martin saved the day with his "don't worry, be happy" routine at the Toronto film festival yesterday.

The three were at the festival's press conference for Novocaine, a darkly comic murder thriller involving a philandering dentist, his anal assistant, his psychotic brother and a dope fiend played by Bonham Carter. The film made its bow as a Saturday night gala and will open in November.

Martin played the clown, cracking jokes, making merry and mocking himself as well as rookie director David Atkins, the son of a dentist and brother to two dentists, and Bonham Carter, who was teased for her role as a chimp in Planet Of The Apes. Some thought Martin far funnier in person than in the film.

Asked if Novocaine is a departure in his career, Martin said with a wry smile: "Let's put it this way: If it doesn't work, I'm going to have to depart."

There was more where that came from. A sampling:

He hears the rumble of the Toronto subway under the Park Hyatt Hotel and queries: "What's that, King Kong?"

On whether he'll invite his dentist to the movie, because he plays one here: "You know, I insulted all dentists with Little Shop Of Horrors so I really haven't had a dentist for several years." He's fibbing, of course, but he milked the moment.
   'A LOT OF RUMOURS'
On what phase his career is in now (he turned 56 on Aug. 14): "The late period, obviously."

On whether he thinks himself funny: "I guess I have to! I don't like to think about it, but, if challenged, I would have to say: 'Well, I guess I'm kind of funny sometimes.' "

On choosing his co-stars for their personalities: "There's no real problem with anyone unless they're unpleasant, which I don't want to work with. That's why I never work with myself!"

On being surprised that Novocaine is a comedy, because he didn't anticipate it: "When I read the script, I didn't think it was a comedy." Bonham Carter interjected: "You were reading the wrong script." Martin, who got the last laugh, snapped back: "Yeah, that's true, I was reading Planet Of The Apes."

On whether he has a need to play an historical figure: "Hum, an historical figure, who would that be? Warren Beatty!"

On who his favourite new comics are: "Comics, I'm not up on. But I guess I love this guy Bill Cosby!"

On rumours that he is Mormon: "I'm not a Mormon. There's a lot of rumours. There's a gay rumour. I've been trying to disprove that one at every opportunity!"

On where there is "an area of showbiz" that he still wants to explore, now that he has penned books and written, produced and starred in films, TV shows and stage plays: "Ummmm, let's see, Uma Thurman? I don't know, I go where my instinct takes me."
 

Especially for new members of the church, who may not have learned some of the more important Mormon myths. Among them: There are more Mormons in California than in Utah (actually, there are 750,000 in California, 1.5 million in Utah); Joseph Smith said the telestial kingdom was so marvelous you'd kill yourself to get there (if he said it, no one can find a record of it anywhere); J. Golden Kimball was the "swearing Apostle" (he was a Seventy, not an Apostle); Mike Wallace's wife took the missionary discussions after President Hinckley's appearance on "60 Minutes" (oh, come on); and many young men have received special three year mission calls to China, which they obtain only by calling a phone number mailed to them by the church, and that phone number puts them on the phone with President Hinckley (again: oh, come on). Instructor: Steve Martin ... COMMENTS & REACTION: This is a milestone: My first official "Snide Remarks" column for The Daily Herald was on the subject of Education Week, and was printed one year earlier (Aug. 20, 1999). So to mark my anniversary, I thought I'd revisit my first topic.
I won't try to explain all the jokes to the non Mormons, but I will explain this one, because it's interesting: The reason Steve Martin is listed as instructor for the "We Believe All Things" class is that it's a common Mormon urban legend that famed comedian/actor/writer Steve Martin converted to Mormonism a few years ago. It's untrue, but you'd be amazed how many people have a "friend of a friend" who can confirm it.
 

Steve and religious beliefs...

I apologize in bringing this up again, but I've been meaning to address this issue,
and needed to check into a few things first:

1. Steve attended college and was very good friends with a Mormon guy. This man
is now (or was) a professor of communications at Brigham Young University (BYU).
Evidentally, Steve attended Church with him a few times during their college years.

2. I can tell you that Steve's PR people have been asked many times whether or not
Steve is a Mormon, but they have dodged this question for years. His sister, Melinda
has also been questioned about this and she will also not confirm nor deny this.

3. Another reliable source had heard at one time Steve was "investigating the
Church" but did not know if he ever joined.

4. The CTR ring surfaced around 1997. I know he was seen wearing it on the Today
Show, and I've been told he was wearing it once on the Letterman show (though I
have not been able to confirm the Letterman part).

Bottom line...no one knows with any certainty that Steve is or is not a Mormon. The
answer would need to come directly from Steve. I can tell you that a major life
change took place in Steve around that time. He re examined his life, work,
relationships. His lifestyle (non drinker, vegetarian, non smoker, physically active) is
very much in keeping with a Mormon lifestyle. You decide!

One who knows (n/a)
April 25, 2001 11:43:39