Dick Martin
Biography
Thomas Richard Martin was born on January 30, 1922, and died on May 24, 2008. He was an American comedian and director. Martin achieved his greatest public visibility as the co‑host of the sketch‑comedy television series Rowan & Martin’s Laugh‑In, which was broadcast from 1968 through 1973. In that program he performed as the comic foil to Dan Rowan, sharing hosting duties and delivering the show’s trademark humor. His work on Laugh‑In is the role for which he is most widely recognized, and it defined his career in American television comedy.
Career overview
Thomas Richard Martin was born on January 30, 1922, and died on May 24, 2008. An American comedian and director, Martin built a career that combined performance with behind‑the‑scenes work. His most widely recognized on‑screen presence came as a co‑host of the television sketch comedy series Rowan & Martin’s Laugh‑In, a program that aired from 1968 through 1973. In that role he partnered with Dan Rowan, serving as the comic foil who helped shape the show’s rapid‑fire humor and satirical tone.
During the five‑year run of Laugh‑In, Martin’s contributions as co‑host placed him at the forefront of a cultural phenomenon that defined late‑1960s and early‑1970s American comedy television. His partnership with Rowan created a dynamic interplay that became a hallmark of the series, allowing the program’s sketches and recurring gags to resonate with a broad audience. While his broader directing work is noted, it is his tenure on Laugh‑In that remains the primary reference point for his acting legacy, marking him as a central figure in one of the era’s most influential comedy platforms.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Dick Martin.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
83 titles- 1968: A Year of War, Turmoil and Beyond (2018) as Self (archive footage)
- Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s (2007) as Self (archive footage)
- Derailroaded (2005) as Self (archive footage)
- Derailroaded (2005) as Self
- Bartleby (2001) as The Mayor
- Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy (2000) as Self
- The Trial of Old Drum (2000) as Mayor Meyers
- Television: The First Fifty Years (1999) as Self (archive footage)
- Two Guys and a Girl (1998) as Grandpa Charlie
- Two Guys and a Girl (1998) as Charlie
- Air Bud: Golden Receiver (1998) as Phil Phil
- George & Leo (1997) as Dr. Gibson
- 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996) as Ben Littmeyer
- The Nanny (1993) as Preston Collier
- Diagnosis: Murder (1993) as Hank Mallory
- Diagnosis: Murder (1993) as Lou Summers
- The John Larroquette Show (1993) as Bill Eggers
- Dave's World (1993) as Phil the Delivery Man
- Bob (1992) as Buzz Loudermilk
- Laurel and Hardy: A Tribute to the Boys (1992) as Self
- Bob Newhart: Off the Record (1992) Director
- Holiday Greetings from 'The Ed Sullivan Show' (1992) as Self
- The Bob Newhart Show 19th Anniversary Special (1991) Director
- Ferris Bueller (1990) as Mr. McFarland
- The Bradys (1990) Director
- Coach (1989) as Peter Plunkett
- Baywatch (1989) as Ed
- In the Heat of the Night (1988) Director
- Women in Prison (1987) Director
- Sledge Hammer! (1986) as Cowboy Cody (uncredited)
- Sledge Hammer! (1986) Director
- Gung Ho (1986) Director
- The Redd Foxx Show (1986) Director
- All Star Party for Clint Eastwood (1986) as Self (uncredited)
- Rickles... On the Loose (1986) as Self
- Brothers (1984) Director
- Mama's Family (1983) Director
- Newhart (1982) Director
- Family Ties (1982) Director
- Carbon Copy (1981) as Victor Bard
- Flo (1980) Director
- Semi-Tough (1980) Director
- Archie Bunker's Place (1979) Director
- Brothers and Sisters (1979) Director
- House Calls (1979) Director
- The Waverly Wonders (1978) Director
- Zero to Sixty (1978) as Arthur Dunking
- The Love Boat (1977) as Cunningham
- The Love Boat (1977) as Norman Bridges
- The Love Boat (1977) as George Boggs
- The Love Boat (1977) as George Crichton
- Playboy's Playmate Party (1977)
- Bob Hope's World of Comedy (1976) as Self (archive footage)
- Sonic Boom (1974) as Editor
- Match Game (1973) as Self
- The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts (1973) as Self
- The Bob Newhart Show (1972) Director
- Mooch Goes to Hollywood (1971) as Dick Martin (uncredited)
- Swing Out, Sweet Land (1970) as Wilbur Wright
- The Maltese Bippy (1969) as Ernest Grey
- Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1968) as Self - Host
- The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show (1968) as Self
- Rowan & Martin at the Movies (1968) as Self
- The Dean Martin Christmas Show (1968) as Self (uncredited)
- The Carol Burnett Show (1967) as Self
- The Carol Burnett Show (1967) as Self - Guest / Various Characters
- The Glass Bottom Boat (1966) as Zack Molloy
- Murder at N.B.C. (1966)
- The Hollywood Palace (1964) as Self
- Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963)
- Case History of a Sales Meeting (1963)
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self - Guest Host
- The Lucy Show (1962) as Harry Conners
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Host
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- Once Upon a Horse... (1958) as Doc Logan
- The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (1956) as Self
- Today (1952) as Self
- Racket Squad (1951)
- The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self
- The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self (uncredited)
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Dick Martin best known for?
Dick Martin is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Bartleby (2001), Mars Attacks! (1996), Mars Attacks! (1996), The Dark Knight (2008).
When and where was Dick Martin born?
Dick Martin was born on January 30, 1922 in Battle Creek, Michigan, USA. They passed away on May 24, 2008.
How many credits does Dick Martin have?
Dick Martin has accumulated over 83 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1948 to 2018.
What is Dick Martin's background in cinema and television?
Thomas Richard Martin was born on January 30, 1922, and died on May 24, 2008. He was an American comedian and director. Martin achieved his greatest public visibility as the co‑host of the sketch‑comedy television series Rowan & Martin’s Laugh‑In, which was broadcast from 1968 through 1973. In that program he performed...