A Personal Letter From Steve Martin to a Fan, 1979

In a memorable example of Steve Martin’s unrivaled sense of humor and dedication to fans, we head back to 1979, when the actor sent a reply letter to a then-17-year-old fan named Jerry Carlson. 

The reply comically notes that Martin had taken time out of his busy schedule to write this personal reply. However, with a printed copy leaving lines for name and several other single words, it’s obvious Martin had used this stock letter for thousands of responses to fan mail.

Transcript follows:

The Aspen Companies

Aspen Film Society

Aspen Recording Society

Aspen Merchandising

Aspen Artist Management

A PERSONAL LETTER FROM STEVE MARTIN

DEAR Jerry,

WHAT A PLEASURE IT WAS TO RECEIVE A LETTER FROM YOU. ALTHOUGH MY SCHEDULE IS VERY BUSY, I DECIDED TO TAKE TIME OUT TO WRITE YOU A PERSONAL REPLY.

TOO OFTEN PERFORMERS LOSE CONTACT WITH THEIR AUDIENCE AND BEGIN TO TAKE THEM FOR GRANTED, BUT I DON’T THINK THAT WILL EVER HAPPEN TO ME, WILL IT Jerry? I DON’T KNOW WHEN I’LL BE APPEARING CLOSE TO YOU, BUT KEEP THAT EXTRA BUNK MADE UP IN CASE I GET TO Flint.

SINCERELY,

(Signed, ‘Steve Martin’)

STEVE MARTIN

P.S. I’LL ALWAYS CHERISH THAT AFTERNOON WE SPENT TOGETHER IN RIO, WALKING ALONG THE BEACH, LOOKING AT rocks.

This playful letter perfectly reflects Martin’s comedic style—acknowledging the fan while jokingly pretending not to personally respond. Fans of his work, both then and now, appreciate his unique approach to humor, even in something as simple as fan mail!