Steve Martinis reflecting on his difficult relationship with his dad.
When speaking about his early childhood at the start of the film, Steve’s sister Melinda Dobbs recalled that her brother received “no affection” from their father, and instead endured most of his anger and criticism.
Steve recalled having a happy childhood — but only “outside the house."
His friend, musician John McEuen, remembered getting a glimpse of Glenn’s criticism of his son backstage after a show one night. When Steve walked in the room, McEuen recalled, his father said, “You know what was wrong with that show?”
“Anyway, I sneak out. Because there was nothing wrong with that show,” McEuen said.
Glenn didn’t even refrain from criticizing Steve when at industry events like premieres of movies his son was starring in.
Selena Gomez and Steve Martin attend the AFI Awards Luncheon on Jan. 12, 2024.Frazer Harrison/Getty
Frazer Harrison/Getty
The actor said that later in his life he took the advice of a friend to tell his parents everything he needed to tell them before they died and he no longer had the chance.
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He came to understand his father better and recognize that he was under tremendous “stress” to provide for his family. “You realize what he went through — it’s a life of hopes and dreams,” he said. “I have great sympathy for my father.”
These days, Steve said, he has a different opinion of his father than he did for most of his life.
“I like him,” the comedian said of Glenn, who died in 1997.
source: people.com
