Not a Jerk: Steve Martin's Seven Finest Romantic Leads

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WHEN TALLYING Hollywood's most charismatic leading men of the last 20 years Steve Martin doesn't necessarily spring to mind when the likes of Pitt, Clooney, Ford, Cruise, Hanks, Depp and DiCaprio are still kicking out flicks.

But Martin, 64, has assembled an impressive body of work, although he's played so many oddballs over the years it's easy to forget that he's also portrayed his share of romantic leads.

In the Christmas-day-opening "It's Complicated," Martin plays a sincere architect competing with Alec Baldwin for the affection of the latter's ex-wife (played by Meryl Streep).

Martin's unlikely evolution from philosophy student to arrow-headed stand-up — and from a discofied King Tut to one of the Three Amigos — to being a prolific writer, respected art collector, and banjo player has been unorthodox, but all his.

One part class clown and two parts pensive artist, Steve Martin's romantic characters have been some of the most oddly appealing of our times. In honor of his recent coupling with Alex Baldwin as co-host of the 2010 Oscars, we looked back at his most appealing leading-man roles.

"The Jerk" (1979)
Martin's first starring role, playing the lovably clueless Navin, adopted white son of a rural Southern black family. Bernadette Peters played his equally dense wife who follows him through the ups and downs of stupidity.

"The Man With Two Brains" (1983)
Martin gave new meaning to the term "love is blind" playing a man who romances a brain and a female con artist, played by Kathleen Turner.

"Roxanne" (1987)

Martin's screenplay was based on "Cyrano de Bergerac," and he was heartbreaking as a fireman beset with a huge schnoz and unrequited love for town hottie Daryl Hannah.

"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" (1988)

He played against type as a brash American in cahoots with Michael Caine's debonair European hustler. Neither con artist got the girl.

"Parenthood" (1989)

His earnest family man was just trying to keep it together through domestic drama and career woes. As everything fell apart around him, his devotion to his family was hysterical, and strangely romantic.

"L.A. Story" (1991)

Martin's goofy and lonely weatherman successfully consults with a freeway sign to find mature love in the land of fame-seekers and silicone.

"Shopgirl" (2005)

He adapted the screenplay from his book of the same name. Martin's emotionally unavailable businessman finally realizes after his affair with a depressed Gen-X-er that he loved her.

Written by Express contributor Anne Polsky
Photo courtesy Universal Pictures