Steve Martin: Laughs and Life

I've been Martinized.

Or should I say Steve Martin's deadpan wit has sucked the air out of the room.

On a fall morning in New York City, the comic legend is holding court with his costars of the bird watching film "The Big Year."

This means that Martin is sitting next to actors Owen Wilson and Jack Black, two actors who also have amazing comic chops.

They star in a film about guys who are so stressed out about life that they cope by watching birds.

It begs the question: What does Martin do to get rid of Midlifer stress? Steve already shared some Steve Martin life advice with us last week. He has a few additional pointers.

"I think massage is good. Actually, I like to give a massage to prisoners," Martin says.

Black interrupts, "You mean, you'll go to an outreach program to give a massage – or you go to a state penitentiary? "

"And it's a big plus for the massage-e that you get a massage from someone who works on the big screen," Martin says. "Imagine how a prisoner feels when it's a guy that they saw in 'Father of the Bride' working on their back muscles."

Black seems dejected. Yes, he has been Martin-ized.

"I was going to say I ride my bike to get rid of stress, but now the answer just seems so dumb," he gripes.

MARTIN ON MIDLIFE

It's not easy to top Martin although he has two screen partners these days who do their best. For his part, Steve says he was delighted about teaming with Black and Wilson in this new fall comedy about men on an adventure.

 Ask Martin what he thought when he heard that the other guys had been cast and he just sighs.

Martin:  "I actually had to look them up and find out who they were."

Yes, it's a joke!

I follow it with a slight confession that my German Shepherd loves to chase birds, but never catches them.

Martin: "I think there are a couple of birds who can handle a dog. I support canine cardio as long as there are no feathers shed."

Their new movie is based on the Mark Obmascik book about birders in 1988's Big Year, an annual competition where bird lovers travel North America for a year to find the rarest birds. Martin is the elder while Black's character is coping with a nasty divorce. Wilson is a competitive guy who holds the record for spotting birds.

One wonders if banjo playing Martin has another hobby up his sleeve now.

Martin says, "Actually, I participate in bird watching through my wife who has a pretty good eye for birds. She has a bird 'ap' on her phone, so I let her do the heavy bird lifting in our family. I luxuriate in the outcome.

"Actually, I allow her to do the heavy bird lifting and the heavy luggage lifting, too," he says.

FRIENDS FIRST

Martin says that teaming up with Wilson and Black was a dream for him. "It's great to be in a movie with funny people. Wait. That sounds bad. I don't want to make claims about myself being funny.

"What I loved was that we were very different types of comedians and I thought that was good," he says.

He doesn't lament that Black and Wilson knew each other before filming.

Consider: Wilson and Black who both did voice-overs for a TV pilot their friend Ben Stiller directed in 1999 called "Heat Vision and Jack." They were also in an episode of "Community" together.

"So, they are as close as people in Hollywood who never see each other are," Martin says in a merry voice.

 "I had night terrors when I found out I was working with these guys," says Black. "Well, you know, there is a certain amount of pressure when you're going to be working with legends of stage and screen."

"And we worked with the Rushmore," Wilson says, pointing to Martin.

"I was basically questioning my wits and worthiness," Black says.

AN OUTDOORSY GUY

Martin says that he liked filming "The Big Year" outdoors although he doesn't exactly consider himself a Boy Scout.

 "I can say that Owen is the most outdoorsy of the three of us. As you might suspect, I'm the least outdoorsy and I've grown less outdoorsy the older I get," Martin says.

"Steve basically is saying he has no interest in visiting Yosemite," Wilson says.

 "The treadmill is the closest thing to the outdoors that I get and it's inside my home," Martin says.

He says having his bros around made it easier. Wait, there were no catfights?

Remind them: If this was a film with three women there would be rumors of catfights?

"With three guys, it's mostly noogies. You get on the set and there is a round of noogies," Martin says.

"If I had a nickel for every noogie I got from Steve – even from just this morning – I would have millions of dollars," Wilson say.

READ OTHER EXCLUSIVE STYLE GOES STRONG INTERVIEWS:

What Do You Know Now: Willem Dafoe

What Do You Know Now: Steve Martin

What Do You Know Now: Anjelica Huston

Faith Hill: Lessons for a Beautiful Life

Taylor Dayne's Rocking Body and Attitude