Steve Martin To Receive AFI Life Achievement Award

Steve Martin has been announced as the next recipient of the American Film Institute’s highest honour, their Life Achievement Award. The 69 year old will receive the award at a special gala tribute to take place on June 4, 2015 in Los Angeles.

Martin is the 43rd recipient of the prestigious award and only the second mainly comedic performer to be honoured, after Mel Brooks in 2013. Other previous recipients include Al Pacino, Warren Beatty, Dustin Hoffman and Harrison Ford.

The award is given to a performer "whose talent has in a fundamental way advanced the film art; whose accomplishment has been acknowledged by scholars, critics, professional peers and the general public; and whose work has stood the test of time.”

More: Steve Martin Becomes At Father Aged 67

The announcement was made on Friday (October 3rd), with AFI chair Howard Stringer commenting, "From a wild and crazy stand-up comic to one who stands tall among the great figures in this American art form, he is a multi-layered creative force bound by neither convention nor caution. His work is defined by him alone, for he is the author – and a national treasure whose work has stuck with us like an arrow in the head.”

Martin may soon become used to receiving special awards, last year his career earned him a honorary Oscar after he spent his career being overlooked by the Academy.

More: Hear Steven Martin In The Trailer For Home

Martin started his career as a standup and made his feature film debut in 1979 with The Jerk. Other notable films include, Pennies from Heaven, Three Amigos!, _Little Shop of Horror_s, Roxanne and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Most recently he starred in 2011’s The Big Year, opposite Jack Black and Owen Wilson.